When I think about what sustainability really means, I think of the work of Menter Môn. Long before the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act placed a duty on public bodies to think about the long term, we were already operating in that way: rooted in community, listening to people, and working with them to build projects that last.
I say “we” because although I returned to Anglesey, after years of living elsewhere, Menter Môn and its initiatives was part of what brought me back. It gave me the opportunity to return, to contribute, and ultimately to take on the role I now hold. That experience is not unusual. For many, Menter Môn has the feel of family, with the wider community becoming part of that extended family. Whether it is an energy initiative, a business programme or an activity in a village hall, the approach is the same: grounded in people and place.
That grounding has allowed Menter Môn to be agile. We have always been able to respond quickly to what is happening and to what is needed, while still keeping sight of a longer-term vision. I remember when the idea of Morlais, our tidal stream energy project, first came to the Board. It seemed ambitious, even daunting. But the trust and confidence were there to back it, because the organisation had shown repeatedly that it could deliver.
That willingness to take on bold ideas, backed by the community, is part of why Menter Môn has endured for 30 years.
What we have created is a living, breathing model of sustainability. People, planet and profit are often described as the three pillars, and here you can see how they overlap. What makes it distinctive is that Welsh language and culture are woven through everything, and that projects are built with the community rather than imposed upon it. That combination has been at the heart of our work and is, I believe, why the organisation continues to thrive.
The effect is visible across our activities. Energy projects like Morlais or hydrogen development are not just about technology. They are about ensuring benefits remain in place and support the local economy. Business support is not simply about enterprise; it is about giving people the tools to shape their own futures. Community and cultural projects are not add-ons; they are central to a sustainable way of living. Together they show what it means to embed sustainability in practice rather than in theory.
As chair, I see the strength that comes from that blend of agility, trust and vision. But I also see the potential for this approach to be adopted elsewhere. Places like Cumbria, parts of Scotland or Ireland face similar challenges, and I believe Menter Môn can serve as a blueprint for them. Not to be copied exactly, because each community is unique, but to demonstrate what can be achieved when sustainability is rooted in people, culture and place.
As we look to the next 30 years, I want to see many of the projects now in development come to fruition. But more than that, I want to see them used as models for others. The challenges facing rural communities are not confined to Anglesey or Gwynedd. By showing what is possible when sustainability is lived, not just talked about, Menter Môn can continue to lead the way.
Rebecca Colley Jones talks about this and more in the Menter Môn: Unlocking Potential podcast. Listen here.
