PACT - The Partnership for Community Action Programme started in October 2004 to provide simplified ways for communities to participate in activities and get involved with developing and delivering projects that helped address their economic, social and environmental problems.

PACT was an £8.8 Million scheme comprising of £3,928,263 from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) from the European Objective 1 Programme, which we (CCC) matched with £1,500,000 from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Local Regeneration Fund (LRF) and £3,427,036 directly from Carmarthenshire County Council.

The PACT programme consisted of a grant pot known as the 1Fund, and development support through the Community Bureau and a team of locally based Area Ambassadors, with additional support including capacity building workshops and volunteer expenses. The 1Fund had themes that reflected the pillars of the Community Strategy - Environment, Lifelong Learning, Safer Communities, Regeneration, and Health and Well Being.

Each of the six areas of the County had Area Ambassadors, organisations and officers who were funded through the programme to assist and support community organisations put their ideas into reality.

Amman - Amman Valley Enterprises

Gwendraeth - Menter Cwm Gwendraeth

Llanelli - Wavehill, Oct 04 to March 05; Carmarthenshire County Council, March 05 onwards

Taf / Myrddin - Antur Cwm Taf Tywi, Oct 04 to Dec 05; Carmarthenshire County Council, Jan 06 onwards

Teifi - Menter Gorllewin Sir Gar

Tywi - Menter Bro Dinefwr

Since October 2004, over 1500 projects were assisted through our network of Area Ambassadors and the Community Bureau, ranging from Community Fetes to New Build Community Halls. Volunteer Expenses were accessed by PACT eligible projects to assist and support the groups to increase their capacity and work towards sustainability. Examples have included visits to other projects to share best practice and attendance at events to promote their project.

Over 180 community members attended Capacity Building Workshops funded through PACT, on issues identified by the community groups, on Finance, Running Events, Sustainability and Using Consultants. Since October 2004, over 225 1Fund grants were awarded through the programme to the value of £6.4 Million. This brought the total investment in Carmarthenshire communities to over £12 million through the PACT programme and its match funding sources.

For a full resume of all projects, and details of the whole programme, please click on the following link to access the separate PACT / 1Fund website.