Microsoft Launches New Community Fund in Wales to Support Local Initiatives
Newport, Wales – Microsoft has announced the launch of a new fund in Wales to support non-profit organizations, schools, community groups, and individuals in their efforts to expand or start impactful community projects. The Microsoft Wales Community Fund, managed by non-profit organization ChangeX, aims to promote sustainable and thriving communities in and around Newport by providing funding for community projects related to environmental sustainability and digital skills.
This is the second community fund that Microsoft has launched in Wales, following the success of a previous fund in 2020. “The Microsoft Wales Community Fund provides an opportunity for communities to come together and create vibrant and sustainable environments across Newport,” said Gurjit Bains, from Microsoft’s Community Affairs Team. “We are thrilled to support local initiatives throughout Wales and look forward to witnessing the collective impact we can achieve in building healthier, more sustainable communities.”
Through the fund, communities will have access to a portfolio of proven ideas that have already had a positive impact in other communities around the world. They can also apply for funding to start or expand a new project, with up to £5,000 available per project.
Some of the proven ideas on offer through the fund include coding workshops for students, citizen science projects to monitor and protect local freshwater bodies, and repair cafes where people can fix items instead of throwing them away.
ChangeX has developed a simple step-by-step process for communities to receive funding and lead impactful projects. Applicants who wish to start one of the proven ideas will have 30 days to complete a number of simple steps, including creating a project team and developing an action plan, in order to unlock their seed funding. Once these steps are completed, applicants will be considered eligible for initial funding, which will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
For those who wish to apply for funding for their own project, they will be asked to provide an action plan and a simple budget. Applications will be assessed based on criteria such as feasibility, impact, and scope, with the application deadline being January 31.
To date, Microsoft and ChangeX have launched over 50 community funds in multiple countries, funding more than 800 community projects and benefiting approximately 275,000 people. This initiative is part of Microsoft’s Datacenter Community Pledge, which aims to establish a positive and lasting impact in the communities where their data centers are located.
For more information and to apply, visit the following link: https://bit.ly/3XEJOYW
About ChangeX
ChangeX is a community engagement platform that provides funding and resources directly to ordinary people to lead impactful projects in their neighborhoods. Founded in 2015, ChangeX works with social innovators to scale proven solutions to environmental, economic, and social issues and partners with companies and foundations to support local communities with necessary funding. Its funders include Microsoft, Accenture, and the LEGO Foundation, among others. ChangeX is an international non-profit organization headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, with teams based across Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia.
For media inquiries, please contact: emma@changex.org
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