People across Wales will soon benefit from a major initiative to close the digital divide, with the Welsh Government launching its Digital Inclusion Wales Grant. This new funding programme aims to ensure everyone has the basic digital skills, confidence and access needed to participate fully in today’s online world.
With essential services increasingly delivered online, those lacking digital confidence risk financial, social and wellbeing disadvantages. The grant seeks to remove these barriers by supporting projects that provide skills training, build confidence, and deliver tools and support at a local level.
Jane Hutt, Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, commented:
“Being digitally confident plays an important role in everyday life, from allowing people to use services to keeping in touch with family and friends. I am proud to launch these new grants, which will help ensure that everyone in Wales can benefit from being digitally confident if they choose. We particularly welcome applications from projects that build partnerships, encourage collaboration, or embed digital inclusion within new and existing services.”
The scheme is open to community groups, social enterprises, third sector organisations, faith groups, and public and private bodies, offering two types of funding:
- Core Grant – Supports long-term projects tailored to local needs for up to three years. Around £390,000 per year is available, with typical awards of £43,500.
- Innovation Grant – Funds short-term projects testing creative approaches to digital inclusion. £60,000 is available, with typical awards of £15,000.
This initiative builds on the Welsh Government’s experience from previous nationwide digital inclusion programmes and its pioneering work on a minimum digital living standard.
By investing in digital skills and confidence, the Welsh Government aims to ensure that everyone in Wales can enjoy the benefits of technology, reducing inequality and empowering communities to thrive in a connected world.
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