Initiative to encourage joint projects between Wales and Brittany (Agile Cymru)

The Welsh Government’s Programme for Government stresses the importance of giving Wales the strongest possible presence on the World stage and commits to ‘closer economic and research ties with the EU’. Cooperating with other nations and regions will:

• increase the profile of Wales 
• grow the Welsh economy
• position Wales as a globally responsible nation

Joint working enables the exchange of ideas, identification of best practice, increased innovation and competitiveness, and the ability to address key issues which transcend borders. We want “an agile Cymru” that looks outward to existing and future UK, European and international partners; to maximise shared opportunities and address shared challenges.

The Regional Council of Brittany and the Welsh Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2004, which was renewed in 2023.  This identifies areas for economic cooperation such as agrifood, culture, cyber security, health, heritage, language, renewable marine energy, sustainable development and tourism.

The Regional Investment Framework highlights the need to build on the activity and networks established through participation in Interreg programmes.

Horizon Europe offers Welsh researchers and innovators the opportunity to collaborate with the best in the world, attract talent and conduct cutting-edge science and innovation for the benefit of society.

Agile Cymru supports the ‘seeding’ or facilitating of activities that build cross-border and international partnerships, increasing cooperation in areas with potential for greater, sustained economic impact of significance to Wales. It also recognises the importance of cultural collaboration and the social benefits of working across borders.

This initiative invites applications from organisations operating in Wales that have identified a joint project with a Breton partner that will support the aims of the Memorandum of Understanding. Activity and expenditure funded by Agile Cymru must occur between 1 April 2026 and 31 March 2027.

Joint projects must include a Breton partner responsible for at least 25% of the overall project activity, with their costs funded separately. The Regional Council of Brittany offers funding for this purpose through its ‘B-Monde Projets – Europe et international’ scheme. Other funding sources are acceptable, provided appropriate evidence is supplied. Applicants must demonstrate that their proposed activity meets the requirements and timescales of all funders.

If you are unable to demonstrate joint activity, for example, if your relationship with Brittany is at an early stage, you should consider other support available from Agile Cymru.

A strong proposal will align with the specific strategic context set out above and:

• support and build relevant strategic relations outside Wales
• create a range of opportunities in a significant area for the Welsh economy
• involve important and relevant organisations or networks
• transfer international knowledge to Wales that will positively impact Welsh policy priorities
• build on and grow existing activity
• have a clear pathway to bringing in other funding or another route to ongoing, sustainable economic activity

All applications must demonstrate viability and value for money, and contribute proportionately to relevant Agile Cymru outputs and outcomes.

There are no fixed grant thresholds but as guidance:

• For small projects, such as travel, engagement and consultancy up to £3,000 per application may be considered reasonable for Agile Cymru funded activity.  We would expect one-off or simple engagements to be less than £1,000 in most cases.
• For more strategic projects, such as running networks, feasibility studies and pilot projects involving significant staff-time and materials, up to £20,000 per application may be considered reasonable for Agile Cymru funded activity. On an exceptional basis up to £50,000 may be considered reasonable.

Welsh Government will take a portfolio approach when selecting projects to ensure the right balance of activities, risks and outcomes for this initiative and the Agile Cymru programme. This may involve prioritisation based on several factors, including:

• the strength of the link with the Memorandum of Understanding, in particular the themes of agrifood, culture, cyber security, health, heritage, language, renewable marine energy, sustainable development and tourism
• the proposal addresses a thematic, geographical or sectoral gap in the portfolio
• the size of the grant request and whether this has been reduced by leverage of other funding (Breton funding excluded) and/or resources
• value for money, especially when compared to similar proposals

Costs must be necessary for the promotion, implementation and dissemination of activity agreed through the application process and written offer of grant. They must be reasonable, verifiable and incurred by the applicant. Unless explicitly stated in this initiative, Agile Cymru rules and procedures apply.

Costs incurred before approval are ineligible unless confirmed otherwise in writing by the Welsh Government’s Agile Cymru Team.

We will not support activity or expenditure after 31 March 2027.

As the Breton partner will be funded separately their costs are ineligible unless the Welsh Government’s Agile Cymru Team confirms otherwise in writing.General trade activity or product marketing is not supported. If the primary focus is export, Welsh Government offers specific support that may be more suitable. 

Agile Cymru is unlikely to support international mobility for education outcomes.

Agile Cymru can support cultural, heritage and sporting projects if they have potential for sustained cooperation of significance to Wales, but is unlikely to support individual artists or performances.

Expenditure may include the activity of partners who are neither Welsh nor Breton, provided costs are incurred by the Welsh partner and value for money is demonstrated. We advise contacting the Welsh Government’s Agile Cymru Team early in your proposal’s development to ensure compliance.

We can support up to 100% of eligible costs if justified, but Welsh Government may prioritise applications with lower intervention rates. 

We expect you to focus on larger items of expenditure with simple, robust evidence trails. Food/subsistence costs are not eligible except when breakfast is included in a hotel price or when contracted catering is a necessary cost for a meeting/event. This is to reduce the administrative burden on applicants and government.

If your Breton partner intends to apply to the Regional Council of Brittany’s ‘B-Monde Projets – Europe et international’ scheme, they must comply with its rules and procedures. Key aspects of the scheme include:

• only ‘not for profit’ organisations based in Brittany are eligible for funding
• the applicant must have been in legal existence for at least a year
• the scheme will only support up to 70% of the relevant eligible costs (for activity with Wales)
• the applicant must include 10% self-financing in the relevant budget
• applications must be submitted at least three months before the relevant activity begins
• expenditure may be incurred up to 24 months after the formal approval date

We are open to applications now. Given the requirement for a joint project with separate funding for the Breton partner you are strongly encouraged to establish the partner’s commitment and potential funding source before applying. Also, if your proposal is not ‘strong’ or a priority as defined above, please contact the Welsh Government’s Agile Cymru Team before submitting an application.  Otherwise, complete the application form and send it to the Welsh Government’s Agile Cymru Team.

Applications will be assessed against the aims of this initiative and Welsh Government will have the final decision, which may include awarding a lower grant than requested. Advice may be sought from relevant specialist and policy colleagues in Wales or in relevant nations/regions. We will work closely with the Regional Council of Brittany on the merits of each application, sharing information and applications as necessary, whether their funding is involved or not.

Eligible applications will be considered on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, with limited opportunity for further clarification. Applications not considered strong or a priority as defined above may be placed on a ‘reserve list’ to allow opportunities for other applications. 

Budget for this initiative is limited, and we will consider other commitments and underspends at the time of decision. Applications may be placed on the ‘reserve list’ for budgetary reasons.

There may also be a need to delay formal approval until the funding package of the joint project is confirmed, for example if the Breton partner is waiting for a funding decision. The Welsh Government will have the final decision on when to approve and on what basis, and may approve in advance of other funding decisions. However, Welsh partner costs incurred without specific agreement in writing of the Welsh Government’s Agile Cymru Team will be ineligible.