Wales Cultural Recovery Fund - Freelancer Support
What is the Freelancer Fund?
Financial help for freelancers working in the cultural sectors facing challenges in the period April 2021 - September 2021 because of COVID-19.
Who can apply?
Freelance professionals whose work has direct creative/cultural outcomes working in: the arts; creative industries; arts and heritage; events or culture and heritage.
A freelancer is someone who is commissioned to produce work or provide a service for a client, on a one off or short term contract.
(Further information in the Fund’s FAQs and Guidance).
How will applications be prioritised?
The fund is targeted to freelancers who continue affected by the COVID – 19 outbreak (musicians / those working in events, theatre, weddings etc.).
Applicants who have not received other support (such as Self Employment Income Support) will be prioritised.
Applicants can be employed part-time but the Fund is targeted at those most need of support and income will be taken into account as part of the assessment.
You should not apply if you’ve been able to continue at previous or near previous levels of activity with or without support. This Fund is not intended to support freelancers in the sports sector.
(Further information in the Fund’s FAQs and Guidance).
How much is available?
Each successful applicant will receive a single payment of £2,500.
The total budget available at present across Wales is £4 million which will be sufficient to support 1,600 Freelancers.
How do you apply?
1. Visit the Business Wales website and complete the eligibility checker (live at 12pm, 17 May) to see if you’re likely to be eligible for support (once you’ve completed the checker you’ll come back to this page).
2. Read the Fund’s FAQs and Guidance.
3. Gather together the supporting evidence you’ll need to complete your application (Proof of Identification, Proof of Address, Bank Statements, CV, etc.)
4. Complete and submit your application by clicking on the link below:
* THIS FUND HAS NOW CLOSED *
What’s the timetable?
The Fund will open at 12pm on the 17th of May and will close at 5pm on the 1st of June 2021.
As applications will be grouped according to priority across Wales, assessment of the applications will only begin after the closing date.
Applications will be acknowledged within 10 working days.
We will aim to process grant applications within 30 working days of closure of the scheme.
(Further information in the Fund’s FAQs and Guidance).
Is there any help to apply?
If there are any accessibility issues for you that might prevent you from completing an online application form please call the Business Wales helpline on 03000 6 03000.
You can contact the Welsh Government team responsible for the Fund by e-mailing FreelancerWCRF@gov.wales.
You can contact the Council’s Business Support team directly by e-mailing grantiaubusnes@gwynedd.llyw.cymru or calling 01286 679231.
Where can I find more information?
The eligibility checker for the Fund is available here (live at 12pm, 17 May).
FAQs for the fund are available here.
The Guidance for the Fund is available here.
Important things to remember when submitting an application
1. Make sure you’ve completed the eligibility checker and read the Fund’s FAQs and Guidance before you start an application.
2. Make sure you apply before 5pm on the 1st of June 2021.
3. Make sure you’ve got all the supporting documents required before you apply and provide everything we need to assess your application.
4. Answer all the questions in the application form as best you can.
5. Check your application carefully before submission.
6. Incomplete or inaccurate applications will be refused.