WIREDGOV

Welsh language technology projects across Wales are set to share funding totalling over £186,000, First Minister Carwyn Jones announced today. 

The aim of the Welsh-language Technology and Digital Media Grant scheme is to encourage activities that are aimed at promoting and facilitating the use of the Welsh language through technology and digital media. Nine organisations will receive funding under the 2014/15 grant scheme, totalling £186,774.

These include Menter Môn, to create a system for simultaneous translators using recycled mobile phones; JOMEC, Cardiff University for a project to enable people to create, maintain and promote digital community news in Welsh; and Mudiad Ffermwyr Ifanc Cymru to create an app to allow members of young farmers clubs across Wales to find out what’s going on in their area.

The announcement comes after the First Minister launched a draft policy document, Moving Forward, which sets out the steps the Welsh Government will take to strengthen the language over the next three crucial years. Ensuring that Welsh language technology is readily available and that Wales is at the forefront of new developments, are key to that vision.

The First Minister said:

"Technology is an important part of our everyday lives, so it’s essential that Welsh language technology and digital media are readily available.

"In last year’s funding round we invested in a range of creative projects, such as the Urdd app, a new Welsh language website - Ffrwti.com - and StoriNi, which allows people to upload Welsh news online. All of these projects are now up and running and proving very popular, especially among young people.

"This further set of nine successful projects I have announced today will build on this progress further, giving people even more opportunities to use Welsh in their daily lives – which is one of the main focusses of Moving Forward. By making sure the language keeps up with the latest technologies, we can help ensure it continues to thrive in the future."

The Urdd was one of the organisations to benefit from funding in last year’s grant scheme. Mali Thomas, Director of Communications & Development at Urdd Gobaith Cymru said:

"After being awarded the grant in 2013 we created the ‘Fy Ardal’ App which is a ‘whats on’ guide for children and young people to discover Welsh language events in their communities. We are extremely grateful to the Welsh Government for this support which has allowed us to create a modern and dynamic app which is an easy way for the Urdd’s members to discover events which are of interest to them. The response has been terrific with thousands downloading the app and over 3,000 events listed."

Another project to receive a grant was Ffrwti.com. Rhodri ap Dyfrig, Director of Nwdls.Cyf that developed the website said:

"The Welsh Government’s Technology and Digital Media grant has been vital for ensuring that ffrwti.com was successful in pushing the technology from being an interesting experiment to a robust core for a website that proliferates and promotes Welsh language content and conversations on Twitter and the wider web. From the feedback we receive ffrwti.com has established quickly as an essential part of the online Welsh media landscape by playing an important role in strengthening Welsh medium networks."

The 2015/16 funding round will open early in 2015, when there will be further details on the Welsh Government website.