The new South East Wales Community Economic Development Programme is a £13.5 million initiative designed to help third sector organisations to grow and provide better services for their communities. It aims to encourage organisations to become less dependent on grants and better equipped to tender for procurement contracts.

The scheme is expected to create 119 jobs as new organisations are established and others are expanded. As part of the programme a range of business support services, such as mentoring, business planning and financial management will be available. Grants up to £80,000 are on offer, based on up to 70 per cent of the eligible project costs.

The programme is open to voluntary and community organisations, charities, social enterprises, co-operatives and mutuals located in South East Wales, comprising the county boroughs of Bridgend, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taff and Torfaen. Applications may be submitted at any time.