PLANED have recently been able to present their projects and the work undertaken by the team in partnership with communities, at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay.

Sponsored by local Senedd Member, Samuel Kurtz, PLANED was one of ten organisations from across Wales who successfully bid for the opportunity to have a promotional stand for the day in the main public area of the Senedd Building.

Engaging with Senedd Member, Cabinet Secretaries, and senior civil servants from across Welsh Government on Tuesday, October 15, PLANED were able to promote their work within communities across a broad range of sectors and areas of interest ranging from Community Assets & Housing, to Food, Heritage & Tourism, as well as Micro Care Enterprises, Community Buildings and Accredited Training amongst others.

Supporting the Chief Executive of PLANED, Iwan Thomas, as well as two of the senior Coordinators team present to take questions and make connections, Samuel Kurtz MS noted:

“It was great to host PLANED today at the Senedd. The work they do in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire to promote community engagement and local economic growth cannot be understated. Especially their work around food vending machines, allowing local produce to be sold locally to communities and tourists.”

Two key projects which were focused on with Senedd Members were the Local Food Partnership, managed by Sue Latham, and Prosiect Cadarnhad, managed by John Ewart. Both found the discussions with policy makers useful, in highlighting the innovative work already being delivered in Pembrokeshire and wider West Wales, that can be a transferable model to other communities across the rest of Wales.

Promoting co-production and sustainable delivery of outputs for communities is key to PLANED’s organisational vision in place since 2021, of “Empowering Communities”. As Chief Executive, Iwan Thomas notes, “Whilst the funding landscape is increasingly challenging, PLANED is finding new innovative ways to support communities in the longer term, and use funding even more effectively than we have before. Having this platform in the heart of Government to showcase the amazing partnership work in communities is very much appreciated.”

“Recent examples of how we have led the support for community purchases of key local assets such as chapels and pubs, in addition to leading the support for the creation of 145 new micro enterprises to support people living in their own homes, are just a small part of the way in which PLANED continues to support communities in different ways that are more sustainable and effective for the longer term.”

Senedd Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire Paul Davies was also present to engage and support during the event at the Senedd, and was keen to note:

“PLANED work in the heart of our local communities in west Wales, helping to empower residents and improve community well-being and resilience and it’s a pleasure to again show my support for their work here in the Senedd”.