Groups that will benefit directly from this fund include:

• Yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol
• Cymdeithas Eisteddfodau Cymru
• Mentrau Iaith
• Merched y Wawr
• Young Farmers Clubs Wales
• Papurau Bro Welsh – language local newsletters
• Urdd Gobaith Cymru
• Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru

Announcing the funding, Minister for Welsh Language and Lifelong Learning Eluned Morgan said:

“Reaching one million Welsh speakers by 2050 is a very ambitious target and while education is key to this aim, the every day use of the language in all walks of life is equally important.

“Welsh cannot simply be the language of the classroom. For it to thrive, we all, as Welsh speakers, have a responsibility to use it. Organisations funded by these grants provide a wide range of opportunities for children, young people and adults to use Welsh socially.

“High profile events such as the National Eisteddfod and Tafwyl, as well as the opportunities provided by the organisations at a local level play a vital part in ensuring that the Welsh language and culture is strong in our communities across Wales.

“These grants recognise the contribution of these organisations to the future well-being of the language and will support the excellent work they do in promoting Welsh as a living, vibrant language.”

The First Minister wants to hear your ideas and answer your questions on the issues that matter to you.

The session will take place at the Selwyn Samuel Centre, Park Crescent, Llanelli, SA15 3AE between 6pm and 7:30pm.

You can register your interest in attending Carwyn Connect Llanelli. Questions can be submitted upon arrival at the venue, emailed in advance to cabinetcommunications@gov.wales or via Twitter using @fmwales and the #carwynconnect hashtag.

First Minister Carwyn Jones said:

“It has been almost 3 years since I held the first Carwyn Connect session. Since then, I have travelled the length and breadth of Wales to hear the views of local communities and answer people’s questions.

“I am pleased to announce the next session will take place in Llanelli. I would like to see as many people as possible at the Selwyn Samuel Centre, so if you have a question for me, want to raise issues affecting your community or have a great idea that would make your home town a better place to live, please come along.

“This is your chance to ask me the questions you most want answered. I’m really looking forward to meeting you all and hearing what you have to say.”

Following recent media reports about a malicious letter campaign aimed at British Muslims, Julie James, who is responsible for equalities in the Welsh Government, reassured the Muslim community in Wales that they are valued and welcome. 

She wrote,

“I hope that I can provide you with some measure of reassurance by stating categorically that the Welsh Government, and the vast majority of the population in Wales utterly condemns the vile hatred expressed by a tiny minority, and the cowardly attempt to instil fear in our communities. 

“The Welsh Government stands firmly alongside all those who are the victims of threats or abuse at any time, and in constant opposition to all those who seek to spread division.”

Working alongside the four police forces and the Hate Crime Criminal Justice Board Cymru, we have robust systems and legislation in place to investigate hate crimes, support victims and punish perpetrators. 

The Welsh Government and the police take all reports of hate crime extremely seriously. Even when the report does not lead to an arrest, this information is still vital to help the police forces to plan and target their prevention activities.

His visit comes one month before the start of daily flights between Cardiff and Doha which will pave the way for increased trade links between Wales, the Middle East, Asia and Australasia.

The Commonwealth Games is the only elite multi-disciplinary event in which Welsh athletes can compete under their own flag.

And at the 2018 Games Ken Skates will be supporting Wales’ 223 competing athletes who are representing their country in a range of sports including swimming, diving, athletics, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, hockey netball, lawn balls, rugby, shooting, squash, table tennis, triathlon, weightlifting and all 5 para sports.

The Economy Secretary will attend the Commonwealth Games’ opening ceremony, and join other Commonwealth Government representatives and figures from  business, academia and sport in an event to explore the value, power and influence of sport beyond the playing field.

He will also represent Wales at business events, aimed at maximising trading opportunities between Commonwealth countries and the Gold Coast.

Later in the week he will travel to Sydney to meet the Council of Australian Tour Operators and attend a business event with the  Australian British Chamber of Commerce and Qatar Airways, before returning to the Games.

Ken Skates said:

“Sport is a huge part of our culture and the Commonwealth Games represent a unique opportunity for Wales to compete as a nation in a world class sporting event.

“This is a magnificent opportunity for Wales and our 223 athletes who, with the support of Commonwealth Games Wales and Sport Wales have worked so hard to be here, and I am proud to be cheering on team Wales as they test themselves against the very best in the world.

“The Gold Coast Games, and the new Qatar Airways flights between Cardiff and Doha which kick off next month, provide us with  an excellent opportunity  to further build our links with the Middle East, Asia and Australasia –  and of course, these links are  more important than ever as we prepare to leave the EU.

“With that in mind, my focus this week will be flying the flag  for Wales, strengthening  partnerships and connections, and promoting Wales as a great place to set up a business, and as a truly first class trading partner, tourism destination and place to study.”

His visit comes one month before the start of daily flights between Cardiff and Doha which will pave the way for increased trade links between Wales, the Middle East, Asia and Australasia.

The Commonwealth Games is the only elite multi-disciplinary event in which Welsh athletes can compete under their own flag.

And at the 2018 Games Ken Skates will be supporting Wales’ 223 competing athletes who are representing their country in a range of sports including swimming, diving, athletics, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, hockey netball, lawn balls, rugby, shooting, squash, table tennis, triathlon, weightlifting and all 5 para sports.

The Economy Secretary will attend the Commonwealth Games’ opening ceremony, and join other Commonwealth Government representatives and figures from  business, academia and sport in an event to explore the value, power and influence of sport beyond the playing field.

He will also represent Wales at business events, aimed at maximising trading opportunities between Commonwealth countries and the Gold Coast.

Later in the week he will travel to Sydney to meet the Council of Australian Tour Operators and attend a business event with the  Australian British Chamber of Commerce and Qatar Airways, before returning to the Games.

Ken Skates said:

“Sport is a huge part of our culture and the Commonwealth Games represent a unique opportunity for Wales to compete as a nation in a world class sporting event.

“This is a magnificent opportunity for Wales and our 223 athletes who, with the support of Commonwealth Games Wales and Sport Wales have worked so hard to be here, and I am proud to be cheering on team Wales as they test themselves against the very best in the world.

“The Gold Coast Games, and the new Qatar Airways flights between Cardiff and Doha which kick off next month, provide us with  an excellent opportunity  to further build our links with the Middle East, Asia and Australasia –  and of course, these links are  more important than ever as we prepare to leave the EU.

“With that in mind, my focus this week will be flying the flag  for Wales, strengthening  partnerships and connections, and promoting Wales as a great place to set up a business, and as a truly first class trading partner, tourism destination and place to study.”