The next round of funding will be distributed through a new process that will assess applications in relation to various criteria. Photo credit: Shutterstock
We were very pleased by the excellent results for Welsh Labour in the Senedd, and police and crime commissioner elections over the weekend. We’d like to congratulate Mark Drakeford and everyone involved on a successful campaign, and we look forward to working with Welsh Labour, as well as MSs from the other parties, over the next five years.
We are particularly focused on engaging with Welsh Government on music education following the very welcome commitment to progress in that area in Welsh Labour’s manifesto.
In terms of Covid-19, the last few weeks have seen welcome further movement in the relaxation of restrictions in Wales, which have been reflected in our online guidance, and will hopefully continue with the proposed move down to alert level 2 on Monday 17 May.
However, we are keenly aware of the need for further progress on enabling a return to live performance with audiences, and are emphasising the urgent need for further progress in that area in our discussions with Welsh Government and organisations across the sector.
The next round of the Freelancer Fund
The next round of the Freelancer Fund is due to open at midday on Monday 17 May and close at 5:00 pm on Tuesday 1 June.
This round of funding will be distributed through a new process that will assess applications in relation to various criteria, rather than being first come first served, but we would urge members in Wales to review all the information and apply as soon as possible in order to avoid missing the deadline.
The information and application forms should be available soon on the Business Wales website and we have arranged a joint union Q&A session on the Fund with Welsh Government this Thursday 13 May at 2:00 pm to help answer members’ questions about the new application process.
Register in advance for your free place at the online Q&A session.
We would encourage members to attend that session and get in touch with any questions or concerns about the process and/or the decision on their application. Any members with access requirements should be able to receive help with the application process through Business Wales.