Freelancers working in the cultural and creative sectors in Neath Port Talbot will be able to apply for their share of a Welsh Government assistance fund worth £7m across Wales.

It is targeted specifically at those in the freelance sector hit hardest by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Money from the fund will come in the form of grants providing financial assistance to freelancers in the cultural and creative sectors who are facing financial challenges as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak in the period from April 2020 – March 2021.

The grants seek to complement other COVID-19 response measures to support organisations and businesses in Wales as part of the Cultural Recovery Fund.

The fund will be open to freelancers in the sub sectors of arts, creative industries, arts and heritage events, culture and heritage, whose work has direct creative/cultural outcomes.

The eligibility criteria for the grant is as follows:

• Facing financial challenges in the period from April 2020 – March 2021;
• Freelancer professionals whose work has direct creative/cultural outcomes, who work in the four key sub sectors ;
• You must be operating in Wales;
• You must be based within the local authority you are applying to.

You are not eligible for grants if:

• You have recently received funding from the Start-Up Grant launched in June 2020 to help new businesses survive the economic consequences of coronavirus (Covid-19);
• You are a freelancer who works in the sport sector.

This funding is specifically for creative/cultural subsectors and roles that have been forced to cease work and/or face difficultly restarting because of the impact of Covid-19 restrictions.

Those in roles that have been able to continue at previous or near previous levels of activity (e.g. architects, graphic designers, games designers etc.) with or without support should NOT apply.

For further information on this grant please read the Freelancer Fund guidance notes https://www.npt.gov.uk/22551 

To confirm your eligibility and make an application, please use the eligibility checker on the Business Wales website https://businesswales.gov.wales/coronavirus-advice/

To provide enough time for freelancers to apply we will be splitting the fund into two phases, with Phase 1 operating for a short period, and then followed shortly after by a second phase.

A grant of £2,500 is available per individual and applications will be dealt with on a first come first served basis. This may lead to applications not being appraised after they have been submitted if the fund is fully committed.