1. User Guide

1.3.1 Main Principles

Before submitting a proposal, we strongly recommend an initial conversation with our Portfolio Management Office (PMO). You can contact the team at: growingmidwales@ceredigion.gov.uk

To be considered for inclusion in the Mid Wales Growth Deal (MWGD) portfolio, projects must meet the following core principles:

• Strategic Alignment
  Projects must align with the vision of Growing Mid Wales and contribute to the MWGD's investment objectives—such as job creation, increased GVA, and attracting additional investment.
• Business Case Development
  All selected projects must follow the HM Treasury's 5-Case Business Model. The PMO will provide guidance and support throughout this process.
• Project Management Standards
  Projects must demonstrate robust arrangements for:
  • Delivery planning
  • RAID (Risks, Assumptions, Issues, Dependencies) management
  • Benefits realisation
  • Monitoring and evaluation
  • Governance and reporting
• Central Reporting System
  MWGD operates a centralised reporting platform. All projects are required to use this system for project management and to provide regular progress updates.
• Funding Requirements
  • Sponsoring organisations must secure at least 60% of total capital costs, as well as the necessary revenue to support project development and business case preparation.
  • MWGD funding is only awarded upon approval of a Full Business Case (FBC).
  • Eligible capital development costs can be claimed in arrears from the point of Outline Business Case (OBC) approval.
  • The default process for claiming capital costs is via quarterly defrayed payments.
  • No advance funding is available for project development. However, once a grant is awarded, eligible costs can be reclaimed in arrears.
  • All eligible delivery costs are also claimed quarterly in arrears.

IMPORTANT: Careful planning is essential. Ensure your project has a clear timeline, realistic cost estimates, and access to the professional expertise needed to develop a strong business case.

1.3.2 What we fund

Each project supported through the Mid Wales Growth Deal will be subject to an agreed intervention rate. In all cases, the MWGD contribution will not exceed 40% of the total capital cost of the project.  We fund projects that:

• Align with at least one of the Growing Mid Wales strategic priorities:

o   Agriculture, Food and Drink- Building on a vibrant agricultural base and innovation potential to lead in high-value food development

o   Applied Research and Innovation- Leveraging internationally recognised R&D assets to boost productivity and competitiveness

o   Strengthened Tourism Offer- Capitalising on natural and cultural assets to grow a resilient and high-value visitor economy

o   Energy - Positioning Mid Wales as a leader in renewable energy generation and future energy systems

o   Supporting Enterprise- Creating the conditions for businesses to start, grow, and thrive with the right infrastructure and support

o   Digital - Investing in digital infrastructure to unlock economic potential and improve service access

o   Transport - Enhancing connectivity to support business growth, labour mobility, and regional integration

o   Skills and Employment - Ensuring a skilled workforce that meets industry needs and supports inclusive economic participation

• Take account of all three investment objectives:

o   Total capital investment of £280-400 million

o   1,100 to 1,400 net additional FTE jobs  

o   £570-700 million in net additional Gross Value Added

• Have a clear and structured delivery plan, with defined start, middle, and end phases.
• Demonstrate a clear need for MWGD investment, showing how the funding will unlock or accelerate delivery and impact.

The Mid Wales Growth Deal can support a wide range of direct capital costs, including:

• Capital works - such as new builds, extensions, modernisation, and conservation projects.
• Professional fees and services - including design, planning, and technical consultancy.
• Promotional and event costs - directly related to project delivery.
• Project-related insurance - where required for capital delivery.
• Land acquisition - and associated legal or transactional costs.

Note: Detailed guidance on eligible capital costs is available. Please contact the Portfolio Management Office for further information.

1.3.3 Your contribution to project costs

The Mid Wales Growth Deal (MWGD) is designed to leverage co-funding from project partners across the entire portfolio.

To be eligible for MWGD support:

• Lead organisations must secure a minimum of 60% of the total capital cost of the project.
• This contribution can include:
  • Cash and non-cash contributions
  • Site or land value
  • Funding from other sources, including grants from other public or private funders

MWGD funding is intended to complement—not replace—other sources of investment. Demonstrating strong co-funding arrangements will strengthen your project's case for support.

1.3.4 Promoting and Supporting the Welsh Language

All projects supported through the Mid Wales Growth Deal must actively promote and reflect the bilingual nature of Wales. This includes ensuring that the Welsh language is treated no less favourably than English in all aspects of project delivery.

Applicants must:

• Demonstrate how they will promote and support the Welsh language throughout the lifecycle of the project.
• Reflect the bilingual identity of the region in communications, signage, events, and public engagement.
• Comply with the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011, which provides the legal framework for the use of Welsh in public life.

In addition, projects must adhere to:

• The Welsh Language Standards set out by the Welsh Language Commissioner and adopted by Ceredigion County Council. [ceredigion.gov.uk]
• The principles outlined in Ceredigion County Council's Welsh Language Policy for Contracts, which is used during the assessment of applications to ensure compliance with language obligations.

1.3.5 Subsidy Control

All funding awarded through the Mid Wales Growth Deal (MWGD) is subject to the requirements of the Subsidy Control Act 2022. This legislation governs how public authorities provide financial assistance to organisations engaged in economic activity, ensuring that such support does not distort competition or trade.

A subsidy is defined as financial assistance from public funds that provides an economic advantage to an enterprise engaged in commercial activities. This includes grants, loans, guarantees, and other forms of support.

Key Points for Applicants:

• Familiarise yourself with the UK Subsidy Control Statutory Guidance to understand how the rules may apply to your project.
• The Growing Mid Wales team is responsible for determining whether a proposed grant complies with the Subsidy Control Act.
• We may request additional information to complete our assessment and reserve the right to impose further requirements to ensure compliance.
• All approved awards will be published on the UK Government's Subsidy Transparency Database, as required by law.

Note: Individual projects receiving MWGD funding do not need to submit their own subsidy control assessments. This will be managed centrally as part of the programme's governance process.