Projects

Energy was one of the key themes identified across all five areas of the GwyrddNi Community Climate Action Plans. Residents involved in the Assemblies were clear that energy projects should reduce the community's dependence on oil and gas, offer protection from sudden price spikes, and ensure that financial benefits are reinvested locally. Ynni Lleu has been re-established as a community benefit company, and is currently undertaking the installation of a large-scale solar and battery scheme located on the roof of the old paper factory at the Penygroes industrial estate.

The Ysgolion Creadigol (Creative Schools) GwyrddNi project is supporting young people to communicate creatively about climate change. The idea: To connect schools with local artists and creative practitioners to create a project that conveys pupils’ messages about climate change. The pupils interview and choose the creative practitioner themselves, and the output depends on the ideas […]

Dyffryn Ogwen Diosg Writing Club meets every two weeks to write creatively about nature and the climate and to share inspiration. Go to our Events page to find out when the latest session is happening, or contact chris@ogwen.org for more information. Please note this writing group is hosted through the medium of Welsh.  The Diosg […]

In our Community Assemblies, several communities said they wanted to create places and systems to share and distribute locally grown food, e.g. markets, pantries, and directories. Marchnad Lleu meets in Neuadd Goffa, Penyrgoes on the 3rd Saturday of the month, and Tre Cocos Market, Penrhyndeudraeth sell and promote local produce.

GwyrddNi, in collaboration with Cwmni Bro Ffestiniog and Y Dref Werdd, have commissioned the creation of a unique map that highlights ten special community and nature spaces in Bro Ffestiniog. The map aims to support and encourage people to connect to their community, celebrate and value moments of nature.

GwyrddNi, together with Wild Resources and with funding from the Partneriaeth Natur Gwynedd (Nature Partnership), is working on a map that will show places of environmental and cultural importance in Dyffryn Ogwen. Anyone will be able to contribute to the map, e.g. with their favourite walking paths or trees. Sustainable businesses and local environmental projects can also be included on the map.

As part of the Dyffryn Ogwen Community Climate Assembly, one of the ideas the community agreed upon was to create an annual climate festival - a day to bring people and organisations involved in local climate action together with the community and sharing information about the climate crisis and promoting current Dyffryn Ogwen climate solutions. A Climate Festival was organised in Bethesda in 2023 and in Tregarth in 2024 by GwyrddNi and local volunteers. Get in touch to be part of organising the 2025 festival!

A place to talk about climate change and to practice Welsh! The intention of Paned i'r Blaned is to give people a space to come together to discuss environmental issues through the medium of Welsh. There will be an opportunity for everyone to propose topics for discussion, which will change each session: from nature and biodiversity to growing food, from energy to transport. Paned i r Blaned has started in Dyffryn Ogwen, and we intend to hold sessions in all five GwyrddNi areas.

Several food growing projects have started or are being supported. GwyrddNi is collaborating with Gerddi Maes-y-Plas in Blaenau Ffestiniog to grow food on a community site, and also the Tyfu Tatws project has grown and distributed 1000 potatoes - as well as 25 potato growing kits different gardens in Manod. The aim is for people to deliver Tatws i Bawb (Potatoes for All) in their own areas. You can join the Bro Ffestiniog Local Food Group for information. In Dyffryn Nantlle, Yr Orsaf runs several community gardens, and GwyrddNi has supported Cyfeillion Talysarn a Nantlleto start Gardd Nant. Volunteers meet at Gerddi Ffrancon (Dyffryn Ogwen) several times a week, and GwyrddNi supports volunteers to garden with pupils at Ysgol Abercaseg. Do you have ideas, want to get involved or want to start your own community allotment/garden? Get in touch!

Himalayan Balsam is a widespread invasive species in Britain. One of the aims of the Dyffryn Peris Dŵr a Thir group was to start mapping the invasive species and who is doing what about them already. Several clearing sessions have already been organised thanks to community volunteers, schools, and the support of Cymdeithas Eryri and local landowners. Training was organised for those wanting to lead clearing groups in April 2024, and more clearing days will be organised in future.

Bethel Repair Cafe is run by TECSTILIAU, with support from GwyrddNi from time to time. We have also organised repair cafes in Llanrug, with the hope of holding more in the future. The Bro Ffestiniog Sharing and Fixing Stuff group collaborates with FFIWS and the Library of Things in Blaenau to hold workshops and a space for people to learn about repairing and making things. Yr Orsaf holds a Repair Cafe in Penygroes once a month.

A plan to establish a Community Partnership to coordinate community action, find funding, listen to the community, plan and promote and stimulate action, work with businesses, co-produce positive change and tackle climate change in Dyffryn Peris.