Nine neighbourhoods at the heart of Welsh communities have been named as the first recipients of up to £20 million each under the UK Government’s Pride in Place Programme, a long‑term investment designed to restore local pride and unlock new opportunities.
The announcement, made today, marks the first time the specific communities benefiting from the programme have been revealed, following confirmation last year that £180 million would be shared among nine local authorities across Wales over a ten‑year period.
The funding is intended to empower local people to tackle the issues affecting their neighbourhoods — from cleaning up graffiti and improving safety, to protecting valued community institutions and revitalising high streets.
Local residents will play a central role in shaping how the money is spent, with Neighbourhood Boards made up of community representatives now set to be established. Funding will begin from April 2026.
The nine neighbourhoods selected for Pride in Place funding are:
- Blaenau Gwent – Sirhowy Valley
- Caerphilly – Bargoed, Aberbargoed and New Tredegar
- Cardiff – Ely and Caerau
- Carmarthenshire – Llanelli
- Conwy – Llandudno
- Neath Port Talbot – Upper Afan Valley
- Newport – Newport city centre
- Rhondda Cynon Taf – Rhondda Fach
- Swansea – High Street and Dyfatty
Each area will be able to invest in projects tailored to local needs and priorities.
Alongside the Pride in Place funding, every local authority in Wales will also receive a share of £34.5 million in capital funding to improve public spaces.
This additional funding will support practical improvements including:
- Fixing broken bus shelters
- Reopening park toilets
- Installing more bins to reduce litter
- Revamping run‑down leisure centres
Jo Stevens, Secretary of State for Wales, said:
“I am delighted that the UK Government has agreed Tudno and Mostyn wards in Llandudno will receive Pride in Place funding. This investment will make a lasting difference in this community, which is amongst some of the most deprived neighbourhoods in the country.
“It will help to improve the places people live and work, and create new opportunities for residents who deserve to see meaningful change.”
The Pride in Place Programme is designed to support a wide range of regeneration initiatives, which could include revitalising high streets and town centres, rreserving local heritage, delivering housing and creating jobs, and boosting skills and productivity.
The ten‑year timescale is intended to provide stability and allow communities to deliver lasting change rather than short‑term fixes.
The government says the programme represents a commitment to community‑led regeneration, putting decision‑making in the hands of those who know their neighbourhoods best.
Image credit: iStock
