Wales Council for Voluntary Action

Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA), established in 1934 as a response to economic hardship, is Wales' national membership body for charities, community groups, social enterprises, and volunteers. With offices in Cardiff, Rhyl, and Aberystwyth, and an integrated network of 19 County Voluntary Councils, WCVA's mission is to empower the third sector and volunteering to thrive, enhancing wellbeing across Wales in line with the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act 2015. Its values—openness, inclusiveness, collaboration, sustainability, and evidence-based impact—drive a distinctive sector-wide approach, including advocacy, governance support, and a unique statutory partnership with the Welsh Government, fostering long-term resilience over one-off projects.

WCVA funds initiatives embedding high-quality volunteering, prioritizing health and social care, education, youth leadership, environmental action, arts, culture, sport, Welsh language preservation, equality, and resilient communities. Key programmes like Volunteering Wales Main Grant, Strategic Grants, and youth-led funds support local projects (e.g., clean-ups, forums), capacity building, infrastructure hubs, co-production, and cross-sector partnerships, targeting young people, marginalized groups, and skill-building efforts to reduce participation barriers and promote innovation.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities, community groups, and social enterprises operating exclusively in Wales, with no income thresholds—spanning grassroots to large organizations. They accept unsolicited applications via the online Multipurpose Application Portal (MAP) during open rounds, requiring governing documents and accounts; the Main Grant 2025/28 closes 24 October 2025, with decisions by January 2026.

Grants range from £5,000 (youth-led) to £100,000 (strategic, up to 18 months), typically £30,000/year for multi-year projects. WCVA excludes individuals, private businesses, and capital-only projects, standing out for its emphasis on volunteering awards, youth empowerment, and systemic change through partnerships and measurable, inclusive impact.