More than 60 young people have now signed up to Green Gateway, while 21 employers across Mid and West Wales have created new jobs with support from grants worth up to £5,500.
Businesses and third-sector organisations across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys are being encouraged to find out how Porth Gwyrdd can help them bring new talent into their teams.
Porth Gwyrdd offers employer grants worth up to £5,500, helping eligible organisations cover the cost of employing a young person aged 16–30 at the Real Living Wage for up to 16 hours a week.
To be eligible for support, organisations must either be environmental organisations, or be actively working to make their own operations and the way they deliver their work more environmentally sustainable.
This could include organisations looking to reduce waste or carbon emissions, improve their environmental practices, introduce more sustainable ways of working, or develop their environmental impact alongside creating a new role.
The grants are designed to help remove some of the financial barriers to creating new roles, giving eligible small businesses and third-sector organisations the opportunity to grow their teams while creating meaningful employment opportunities for young people.
Porth Gwyrdd provides support throughout the process, from developing a suitable role and making an application through to recruitment and onboarding. Employers can also access support around inclusive recruitment, workplace adjustments and creating a more diverse and accessible workforce.
Delivered through a partnership between Antur Cymru, Foothold Cymru, Menter Gorllewin Sir Gâr and PLANED, Porth Gwyrdd is supporting young people and employers across Mid and West Wales to connect around opportunities that contribute to a greener, more inclusive future.
One organisation to benefit is WellMama CIC, a Pembrokeshire-based community interest company delivering education, wellbeing practices and community projects that support maternal wellbeing.
WellMama used a Porth Gwyrdd grant to employ an Assistant Coordinator for its Mothers' Garden, helping the organisation expand its Wellbeing Wednesday community resource.
Samara Hawthorn, Founder and Director of WellMama, said:
“When I first found out about Porth Gwyrdd, I was completely amazed that such a thing existed — and then delighted to realise that we fit the criteria. Emma from Porth Gwyrdd was extremely helpful. She talked me through the whole process and was always communicative and available for questions and clarifying any steps.”
Katherine, who joined WellMama as Assistant Coordinator of the Mothers' Garden through the scheme, said:
“Porth Gwyrdd allowed WellMama to fund my employment here and for me to receive a wage for what I'm doing. We're now able to expand our online presence, get a membership scheme running, and formalise our open days for mothers via our WellMama Wednesdays.”
With more than 60 young people now signed up to the project, Porth Gwyrdd is also helping young people aged 16–30 explore careers, gain experience and access personalised support to move towards employment.
The project is particularly focused on supporting young people who may face additional barriers to employment, including young people with disabilities and those from ethnic minority backgrounds.
Emma Taylor, Porth Gwyrdd Employment Manager, said:
“We pride ourselves on making the whole application process accessible and easy to navigate. We want to hear from organisations that are already working to protect the environment, as well as organisations that are looking at how they can make their own work more environmentally sustainable.
“With grants of up to £5,500 available, we’re encouraging eligible employers to get in touch and have a conversation with us about how we can support them to create a new role, bring young talent into their organisation and take another step towards a more sustainable future.”
Porth Gwyrdd is funded through the Dormant Assets Scheme and distributed by The National Lottery Community Fund.
