Young people across Wales will have new opportunities to
engage directly with their elected representatives, thanks to a
three-year programme funded by the Welsh
Government.
The Welsh Government's Democratic Engagement Grant provides
£400,000 annually to support sustained, community-rooted
engagement, and strengthen long-term democratic participation.
Since its launch in February 2023, it has supported 30
organisations delivering 42 projects across Wales.
One of these organisations, The Politics Project, has recently
been awarded £357,060 across three financial years, to deliver
several different activities to connect young people with the
politicians that represent them. Its flagship Digital Dialogue
programme facilitates conversations between school pupils with
local councillors, Members of the Senedd, MPs through regular,
interactive sessions.
They are also delivering annual Leader Dialogue events, giving
students a rare opportunity to put questions directly to national
political figures, as well as training and support for schools
and colleges to organise and arrange youth hustings, for their
students, for the 2026 Senedd Elections.
Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, , recently visited Cowbridge
School to take part in a Q&A session with pupils
participating in the programme.
Speaking after the visit, the Cabinet Secretary said: “Democracy
thrives when young people are empowered to ask questions,
challenge ideas, and see themselves reflected in decision-making.
This programme is a powerful step toward building lifelong civic
engagement and ensuring every voice in Wales is heard. I'd like
to thank The Politics Project and Cowbridge School for such an
interesting session with such brilliant young people.”
Ian Pope, Head of Programme at The Politics Project, said: “Thank
you to Cowbridge School and for a fantastic Dialogue
session. The questions from the learners were thoughtful and
insightful and it was great to see young people engaged. The
Politics Project wants to make sure that during their time at
school every young person can have the chance to have a
meaningful conversation with a politician and build positive
relationships. We really appreciate the Cabinet Secretary's and
Welsh Government's support in helping us achieve that aim.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
About the Democratic Engagement Grant
- The Welsh Government's Democratic Engagement Grant makes
available £400,000 per year, for the next three years, to support
local authorities, third sector, and not-for-profit organisations
working in Wales to pursue an innovative approach to engaging
those typically under-represented in our democracy.
- The grant will help funded organisations ensure as many
people as possible are engaged, motivated, and empowered to take
part in democracy, giving them the tools to make their voice
heard and to impact positively on the Wales around them.
About the Politics Project
- The Politics Project are a non-partisan democratic education
and engagement organisation supporting young people to use their
voice.
- Through their Digital Dialogue and Leader Dialogue sessions,
and their Host a Hustings Cymru programme, they help bring
elected officials, Senedd election candidates and young people
together to discuss issues important to young people as well as
allowing them to learn more about those voted to represent
them.
- The Politics Project have been awarded £357,060 over three
years from the Welsh Government's Democratic Engagement Grant for
this activity to be delivered in Wales between July 2025 and
March 2028.
