Six projects awarded funding through ‘Cymru Wledig LPIP Rural Wales Community Led Research fund’, delivered by Together for Change

‘Cymru Wledig LPIP Rural Wales Community Led Research fund’, delivered by Together for Change, has awarded support to six new projects across rural Wales. Each group will receive up to £20,000 and tailored academic support to carry out community-designed research on issues that matter locally.

This round builds on the previous Community Led Research call, enabling more rural communities to gather evidence, generate insight and set out practical next steps linked to the programme’s four themes: building a regenerative economy; supporting the net-zero transition; cultural renewal; and wellbeing in place.

The six successful projects are:

1. Cwmni’r Frân Wen – CARREG (Bangor)
   CARREG will explore the mental health pressures facing young people in the agricultural sector, including economic strain, demographic change, workload pressures and isolation. The project will create a space for honest conversations using creative methods, helping the community recognise shared challenges and support one another. The work aims to strengthen cohesion, raise the profile of rural experiences in national discussions and lay the groundwork for longer-term community-led support.
   
2. Llandysul a Phont Tyweli Ymlaen – Re-imagining Llandysul (Llandysul)
   This project will investigate how culture, economy and wellbeing can be better connected to support the regeneration of Llandysul. It will explore how residents use the town centre, the role of Welsh culture in stimulating enterprise and how transport, digital connectivity and inclusive spaces can strengthen participation. The research will build local skills and provide evidence to shape an inclusive, sustainable strategy for the town’s future.
   
3. Community-led Housing, Language and Climate (Dyffryn Peris)
   Partneriaeth Dyffryn Peris will examine community-led responses to the housing, language and climate challenges affecting the area. The project will explore models such as community land trusts, low-carbon homes and approaches that protect the Welsh language. It will gather evidence to influence planning policy, learn from similar projects across Wales and support the development of solutions rooted in local needs.
   
4. PEACE CIC – Climate and Community (Haverfordwest)
   PEACE will work with migrant and global majority communities to understand their experiences of climate action and sustainability in Pembrokeshire. The project will identify barriers such as language, access to information and lack of culturally relevant examples, and explore what knowledge, skills and support would enable fuller participation. Findings will help shape more inclusive environmental projects and policies, while building confidence and connections within communities.
   
5. Siop Griffiths Cyf (Yr Orsaf) – Sustainable Local Food Systems (Dyffryn Nantlle)
   This project will investigate how local fruit and vegetable producers can supply affordable, healthy food to residents in a sustainable way. Yr Orsaf will work with local farms to explore sustainable food partnerships, Healthy Start voucher schemes and social prescribing models. The research includes understanding food habits, improving access and testing cookery and preservation sessions, supported by a new community-led sustainable food forum.
   
6. Eryri-Bywiol Cyf / Snowdonia-Active – Llyn Padarn Catchment Partnership (Caernarfon)
   Snowdonia-Active will develop a collaborative, catchment-based approach to managing Llyn Padarn. The project will bring statutory agencies, community groups and residents together to identify recreation and environmental priorities. It will establish a catchment partnership, map issues and produce a route map for strategic management, with potential components including recreation zones, a water safety plan and interpretation strategy.

These projects will run to summer 2026 and contribute to new evidence, insight and community-led action across rural Wales.

Cymru Wledig LPIP Rural Wales is funded by UKRI through ESRC, AHRC and Innovate UK.