Welsh Language Standards
The Welsh Language Standards were introduced in 2015 under the Welsh Language Measure 2011. They establish a legal framework that supports using Welsh in everyday life and clarify the Welsh-language services people are entitled to access.
The Welsh Language Measure
The Welsh Language Measure 2011 ensures that Welsh is treated no less favourably than English in Wales, and gives people the legal right to use Welsh in their everyday lives if they choose.
Under the measure, organisations and public bodies in Wales who receive funding must provide a bilingual service. This includes organisations funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.
Find out more about our Welsh language policy for funding.
How we meet the Welsh Language Standards
At The National Lottery Community Fund, we’re committed to providing a bilingual service to people in Wales. We actively promote the Welsh language and encourage non-Welsh speakers to learn. We:
- operate an enquiries line staffed by bilingual speakers
- make all guidance and application materials available in Welsh and English
- ensure that Welsh-speaking staff assess and manage funding for organisations that prefer to communicate in Welsh
The Welsh Language Commissioner ensures public bodies, including The National Lottery Community Fund, comply with the standards. Since January 2017, we’ve worked with the Commissioner to implement them.
A list of the Standards that apply to the Fund is in our Compliance Notice (PDF, 337 KB).
We submit an annual report to the Welsh Language Commissioner explaining how we comply with the standards. The report also sets out any areas where we have not met the standards and details any complaints about our Welsh language provision.
How the Welsh Language Standards apply to our services
The Welsh Language Standards set out how you can communicate with us and what level of service you can expect when you choose to use Welsh.
They also guide how we monitor, support and promote compliance with the Welsh Language Standards.
Managing your project bilingually
If you’re applying for funding for a project to be delivered in Wales, you must consider the Welsh language from the earliest stages of development. This includes:
- consulting with your community in Welsh and English
- planning how your project will be delivered bilingually
- accounting for any associated costs within your project budget
You’ll need to think about bilingual delivery before you submit your application.
Find out more about managing your project bilingually.
Creating a bilingual project guide
We encourage you to complete a bilingual project guide. This explains how you’ll deliver your project bilingually and which services will be available in Welsh. This will help us when assessing your application.
Find out more about creating a bilingual project guide.
If you’re not satisfied with our service
We’re proud to be able to provide a fully bilingual service in Welsh and English. However, we recognise that sometimes things can go wrong.
If you’d like to discuss the service you’ve received in either language, email us at welshlanguage.advice@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk.
If you want to make a complaint, read our guidance on making a complaint about our Welsh language services.
Contact us
If you’d like more information about our Welsh language services, you can call us on 0300 123 0735 or email welshlanguage.advice@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk.