FOR Cardiff has announced the successful recipients of the sixth cohort of its City Ambition Fund.
The City Ambition Fund was launched by FOR Cardiff in 2022 to support ambitious projects that help make Cardiff city centre a more vibrant, welcoming and successful place to live, work, visit and invest.
Following a competitive application process, four projects have been selected to receive a share of the fund:
- Jane Cook: Cardiff Coffee Passport
Cardiff Coffee Passport is a six-week pilot from Jane Cook, the creator of the Cardiff Wine Passport, showcasing six of Cardiff city centre’s best independent coffee venues. 300 physical passports will offer customers six coffees, with venues selected for their quality, variety and unique contribution to Cardiff’s coffee scene.
Sustainability is central to the concept, with customers required to bring a reusable cup for each redemption, helping reduce waste while driving footfall to independent city-centre businesses.
- The Open University: Cardiff Leadership and Development Programme
The Open University in Wales, is launching a fully funded Leadership and Management Development Programme for employees, volunteers and aspiring leaders across Cardiff. Delivered flexibly online, the programme offers professionally recognised CPD courses covering leadership, people management, communication, coaching and strategic thinking. It aims to strengthen leadership skills, support career progression and build resilience across SMEs, charities, social enterprises and community organisations, contributing to a stronger and more inclusive local economy.
- Draw The Greener Future
Draw The Green Future is bringing its community art campaign to Cardiff city centre, inviting people of all ages and abilities to imagine greener, more people-friendly versions of familiar places. Founded by Lucy Coombs, the project will deliver city centre drawing workshops and a public exhibition showcasing Cardiff’s future through the eyes of its residents and businesses. Each vision will be added to an interactive map, creating a shared picture of a greener city centre.
- Circular Resource Specialists
hydl is launching a Cardiff city centre pilot to help businesses cut waste costs, increase recycling and reduce carbon emissions. The project will support five to ten businesses with waste audits, tailored recommendations and action plans to identify savings, improve recycling and meet Workplace Recycling Regulations. Developed by Cardiff-based circular economy specialists Circular Resource Specialists, hydl has delivered average waste-cost savings of 20% and 74% reductions in waste-related greenhouse gas emissions. The pilot will demonstrate how practical action can create a cleaner, greener and more resilient city centre.
Together, the successful projects will deliver a range of activity across Cardiff city-centre, from community arts and independent coffee experiences to leadership development and practical business support to reduce waste and carbon emissions.
Carolyn Brownell, Executive Director at FOR Cardiff said: “We were extremely impressed by the quality and ambition of the applications received for the sixth cohort of FOR Cardiff’s City Ambition Fund. The successful projects demonstrate the creativity, energy and commitment that exists across Cardiff, and we are excited to see these ideas brought to life.
“Our city centre continues to evolve, and initiatives such as these play an important role in creating a Cardiff that people want to spend time in. We look forward to working with all the successful applicants and seeing the positive impact their projects have on the city centre.”
More information can be found here: City Ambition Fund.