Relief as Young Farmers Clubs reprieved - for now

04/03/2015 @ 11:04

Local Young Farmers Clubs in Montgomerysire have been reprieved after concern about the Wales-wide organisation's funding future.

Thousands of local youngsters have come through YFC clubs which are dotted across the region, with 155 operating in Wales.

But their future was cast into doubt last month after Wales YFC received notification that its applications for funding to Natural Resources Wales and the National Voluntary Youth Organisations Fund had been unsuccessful.

But Rebecca Evans AM, Deputy Minister for Farming and Food, said: “Discussions between Wales YFC and officials from within my department, alongside discussions that Wales YFC has had with its other key stakeholders, have determined that the organisation will require a new business model if it is to move forward successfully.

“In response to this challenge, Wales YFC will instigate an Enabling Change Programme. The programme will have the full support of my officials and will allow Wales YFC to build capacity and develop a sound five-year business plan that gives a clear direction and identifies future means of income generation that will secure the organisation’s future.

“Part of the support provided by this government will be a grant to help the organisation put itself on a firm footing. We will continue to work with the YFC to review the progress of the Enabling Change Programme to ensure that the intervention measures are achieving the necessary outcomes for the organisation future sustainability.”

The news has been welcomed by local clubs with a spokesperson for Wales YFC saying: “We welcome the written statement made by the Deputy Minister. We also note and welcome the support across all political parties in Wales.

“The on-going support of our members, supporters and stakeholders across Wales is much appreciated, particularly so in the last month. Clearly, the quality and value of services provided by the YFC across Wales is appreciated and acknowledged, and funding those services in the long term is a challenge.”