£186,000 boost for Welsh language technology projects
4 Jul 2014 04:06 PM
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.