GlobalWelsh, the Welsh diaspora organisation, announces that Urdd Gobaith Cymru (“The Urdd”) has become its first Charity Partner of the Year. The year-long partnership will celebrate the achievements of the Urdd in its centenary year and see both organisations support each others' work to promote Wales to the world and raise aspirations of young people in Wales.   

Urdd Gobaith Cymru, Wales’ largest youth organisation, offers people aged 8 to 25 in Wales with unique educational experiences across culture, sport and outdoor adventure. It’s an organisation that has touched millions of Welsh lives around the world and continues to build on that through its annual Peace and Goodwill Message.

The Urdd holds a special place in the hearts of many members of the GlobalWelsh community when they reflect on their time growing up in Wales. The two organisations share values and ambitions, such as promoting Wales on the global stage, believing in Wales’ future prosperity, and raising the aspirations of young people in Wales and around the world.

The Urdd will be GlobalWelsh’s first Charity Partner of the Year, Walter May, founder and CEO of GlobalWelsh, said:

“Charity Partner of the Year is something we’ve wanted to do for a while and now the time is right. Our focus will be on charities that align with our values and ambitions, like the Urdd, who do an incredible job for Wales at home but also overseas.

“For the last hundred years the Urdd has played an important role in the lives of many young people in Wales, the impact of which is deep-rooted and far-reaching. This is something that we believe should be celebrated so are excited to be partnering with them during their monumental year centenary year.”

2022 marks 100 years of the Urdd and marks a year-long celebration for the organisation, Sian Lewis, CEO of the Urdd, said:

“Having GlobalWelsh choose the Urdd as their first ever charity partner is an honour, and we are very grateful for the support and partnership they offer.  Their ability to connect with the Welsh diaspora and to hopefully reconnect some Welsh people to the Urdd is something that we’re very excited about.

“In our centenary year our focus is on the Urdd’s future, securing our community and sports services, the Urdd Eisteddfod and residential centres for the next generation and the next 100 years. To do this the Urdd needs friends and support from right across the globe, and we look forward to gaining new connections and sharing in the knowledge and opportunities that GlobalWelsh can bring us and the young people of Wales.”