Blaenau Gwent Council is looking for partners to help it deliver its Trailblazer pilot scheme.
Wales is one of nine places receiving support through the UK Government’s £125million economic inactivity trailblazer programme, targeting areas with the highest levels of inactivity.
Local leaders in Blaenau Gwent, Denbighshire and Neath Port Talbot will design employment support schemes tailored to their community’s unique challenges. The Trailblazer pilots will be designed and delivered by Local Authority partners to develop and test localised approaches to reducing economic inactivity.
The Council is asking for Expressions of Interest for projects to help deliver the scheme. Projects need to ensure that the target participants are economically inactive residents of Blaenau Gwent who are 16+ in age with a focus on those individuals that are disabled, have long term health conditions and/or have caring responsibilities.
Whilst projects can enhance existing provision, the Council would particularly welcome new and innovative techniques to improve and augment engagement.
Projects also need to be mindful of the need of the project’s accelerated starting date and the short time frame (end date March 2026) in which to deliver. The level of information provided for the application should be proportionate to the size and complexity of the project proposed.
Maximum funding allocations will be £60,000 per project.
The closing date for Expressions of Interest is Tuesday, 10th June 2025.
Trailblazer in Wales will provide up to £10million in funding to trial new interventions and increase engagement, providing the support people really need to help them get into work.
Re-entering the workforce can be daunting. The Trailblazer initiative is designed to provide the tools, resources, and encouragement people need to enter or re-enter the workforce. Each person's journey is unique, and the barriers they face can be complex and multifaceted. That is why the approach in Wales will be centred around the needs of the individuals, committed to creating a supportive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to take the next step towards employment.
The Expression of Interest Form can be found here.
Please return completed forms to the following email address Trailblazer@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk by Tuesday 10th June 2025.