GRŴP Llandrillo Menai, an umbrella group of three colleges in Colwyn Bay, Bangor and Dolgellau, has secured £2.5 million of funding from the Government’s UK Community Renewal Fund (UKCRF).

Dafydd Evans, chief executive at Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, said: “Grŵp Llandrillo Menai welcomes the announcement of the £220 million UKCRF and we are delighted to be delivering over £2.5 million of projects across the region.

“This announcement is a reflection of the strong reputation Grŵp Llandrillo Menai has maintained in working with local authorities and other partners to deliver regionally impactful projects with key private and public sector partners.

“This significant investment by the UK Government will also help us to prepare future significant projects to align with post-EU funding the ‘UK Shared Prosperity Fund’.”

The projects led by Grŵp Llandrillo Menai are:

• Conwy Tourism Innovation Hub in partnership with Mostyn Estates - this project will support innovative activities which ultimately seek to build talent and extend the tourist season.

• The Digital and Net Zero Business Academy - delivered in Gwynedd and in Anglesey, it will support micro and small businesses to improve digital capability and reduce carbon output with the support of expert consultancy support.

• Denbighshire STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Connect – this aims to inspire and enthuse young learners into careers in science and engineering, by enriching their more formal curriculum.

• Level 4 Health and Social Care Education – a project to provide high quality training for healthcare practice, as well as leadership and management training in care homes.

Grŵp Llandrillo Menai is also a key partner in the successful Partneriaeth Net Zero Gwynedd, a Gwynedd net zero project led by housing association Adra in collaboration with Busnes@LlandrilloMenai and a range of partners across Gwynedd.

News Partneriaeth Net Zero Gwynedd chairman, Iwan Trefor Jones, said: “I welcome this announcement and am looking forward to working in partnership to deliver a number of plans that will deliver economic and environmental benefits to communities across Gwynedd.”

Virginia Crosbie, Ynys Môn MP, added: “Many congratulations to Grŵp Llandrillo Menai for receiving this money from the UKCRF.

“This fantastic organisation is doing so much to prepare our island for the future in partnership with both the public and private sectors.

“Its work in the key areas of education, digital and net zero training and tourism are vital to the island and the building blocks for our future shared prosperity. “

Robin Millar, Aberconwy MP. commenting on the Conwy Tourism Innovation Hub, said: “I'd like to thank, and of course congratulate, everyone at Grŵp Llandrillo Menai and Mostyn Estates who worked so hard to put these successful bids together.

“These UKCRF awards are just the beginning of a new relationship between the UK Government and local authorities.

“I'm excited to already be working directly with the council, community groups, local businesses and charities on this and I am looking forward to supporting them as they prepare future projects under the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

“It is vitally important that further additional funding from the UK Government goes directly to the organisations that understand the communities they serve best.”

Dr James Davies, Vale of Clwyd MP, added: “I am delighted that the UKCRF is providing Denbighshire with £2.89 million of additional funding to help it prepare for the introduction of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund – which will replace EU Structural Funds.

“Grŵp Llandrillo Menai has been awarded nearly £400,000 for ‘Denbighshire STEM Connect’, a project which intends to increase skill and interest in STEM industry growth.

“The project will work with key employers to develop a range of workshops and will develop a recognised local framework to provide ‘STEM ready’ certification.”