All Wales Play Opportunities Grant

Capital funding for play spaces and playgrounds 2025-26

The aim of the Play Spaces and Playgrounds Capital funding is to provide children with better opportunities to play within their local communities. The grant will assist local authorities in responding to shortfalls identified within their Play Sufficiency Assessment and provide flexibility to purchase large scale items to improve the quality of play spaces, refurbish playgrounds and support the creation of inclusive and accessible play spaces.

What can be funded:

The funding for this programme is for capital costs only. Eligible expenditure includes installation costs. However, to claim installation costs, the equipment must be installed before 30/01/2026.
The funding can be used to support inclusive and accessible play spaces and playgrounds. When redesigning place spaces, please reference the Play Wales Creating Accessible Spaces toolkit.
Each service/organisation can apply for a maximum of £20,000. Single items/resources/pieces of equipment that cost more than £4,999 will require 3 quotes at the point of application. We welcome small bids from £100 upwards, so that the funding can be utilised to support as many young people as possible and children across Powys.

Examples of what can be funded

Repairs or replenishment of equipment in play areas and playgrounds - this doesn't necessarily have to be fixed play equipment, it can be new accessible benches, etc.
Lighting at play spaces eg: skateparks.
The purchase of security equipment.
The purchase of equipment, such as gazebos or roofed structures, which will enable open access playwork to continue in bad weather.
The purchase of portable equipment to enable peripatetic play.
The purchase of equipment to facilitate street play.
The purchase of equipment to create natural looking footpaths and nature trails which incorporate children's play.
Play pods for schools to encourage community-based play and enhance breaktime play.
The purchase of equipment or structures to support inclusive and accessible play spaces.

What cannot be funded?

Any costs incurred after 30/01/2026.
Training costs, unless they are specifically related to the operation of equipment.

Coverage

Local authorities are asked to consider the outcomes of their Play Sufficiency Assessment and in relation to the below Matters in particular, when approving applications to improve the quality and quantity of play spaces / playgrounds:

Matter B - Providing for Diverse Needs, which directs local authorities and partners to aim to offer play opportunities that are inclusive and encourage all children to play and meet together.
Matter C - Space available for children to play, which directs local authorities to undertake access audits at all designated play spaces and implement proposals to improve access and safety, and assess its play value; and,
Matter H - Community engagement and participation which directs local authorities to consult widely with children, their families, and other stakeholders on their views on play provision. This includes engaging with relevant groups to enhance play opportunities for children in their area.

For children to have sufficient opportunities to play, they need time to play, space to play and the recognition by adults that this is every child's right so that all children are allowed this time and space. This grant funding is intended to support local authorities in addressing gaps identified within their Play Sufficiency Assessments, and in improving the quality of play spaces for children, creating inclusive and accessible play opportunities.

Increase Accessibility of Play Facilities: Ensure that all children can participate in play activities by making play facilities more accessible.
Enhance Play Equipment: Address the common request for more play equipment by ensuring that existing facilities are adequately equipped.

Nyth Nest

Applicants are expected to demonstrate how their proposed project aligns with the principles of the Nyth Nest framework. This includes creating emotionally safe, nurturing, and developmentally supportive play environments that promote wellbeing and resilience. Applications should clearly outline how the design, delivery, and ethos of their play provision will reflect the Nyth Nest approach, ensuring that children's emotional and social needs are central to the play experience.

Areas of need

5.1 This funding should be focussed in areas where children are at higher risk of being vulnerable.
5.2 Local authorities will probably have local knowledge of these areas, but the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD)2 was designed to identify the small areas in Wales that are the most deprived. The geographic areas used in the calculation of WIMD are the 1,909 Lower layer Super Output Areas (LSOAs) in Wales. The average population of an LSOA is 1,600. Local Authorities should ensure their funding is accessible to the most income deprived LSOAs in their area.

A scoring system will be used by the panel to ensure a fair and consistent evaluation of all applications. Each application will be assessed against a set of predefined criteria.

The scheme is open to all sectors.

Closing Date for applications: Monday 22 September 2025 - 9am.

Any late applications will not be considered.

Applications will be discussed and considered by a panel. Each project will be expected to complete and provide feedback/evaluations/cases studies by 31^st March 2026.

Application Form

All Wales Play Opportunities Grant Proposal All Wales Play Opportunities Grant Proposal

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