Grant fund
Communities @One launched in January 2006. The original value of the grant fund was £4.5 million to help support projects until May 2008. This was increased to meet the huge demand for our support. By July 2007 £5.5 million had been committed to 150 community ICT projects across Wales.

In December 2007 Communities @One announced that over £6 million had been committed to over 200 community ICT projects across Wales.
Update on the Grant Fund
Communities @One will come to an end on the 31st March 2009. The grant fund is now fully allocated.

Who was eligible?
Communities @One worked in Communities First areas of Wales, the 142 electoral wards on the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation.

Community Brokers worked with community and voluntary groups and helped them to build a project that would help people start using ICT (information and communication technologies). All projects that received support from Communities @One ultimately benefitted the community.

Community Brokers
Brokers were allocated to different areas of Wales, each having their own knowledge and experience of their region. They provided advice during the planning phase on viable projects, how to make best use of existing equipment, as well as to help groups prepare their grant application – supporting them through the process with advice, ideas and guidance.

What was eligible?
Grants funded both support staff, such as mentors, and equipment. During the life of the initiative, Communities @One supported 214 projects. They included:
• laptops that helped people who are isolated learn how to keep in touch by email and use online shopping services,
• computer suites and cyber cafes that offered free ‘drop–in’ internet access to help people do things like research their family tree, job searches and access on–line advice or learning
• mentors who supported people learning at their own pace, encouraging their development and offering signposting to further learning opportunities
• digital photography or storytelling projects that developed many skills, increased community spirit and helped people gain an alternative way to understand their personal issues
• technical support to ensure projects could run smoothly
• community websites that brought a greater sense of community spirit and highlighted local services

Look at the list of all projects funded so far by Communities @One.