Urdd enriching Wales’ economy as well as culture
YOUTH organisation Urdd Gobaith Cymru had a £25.5m impact on the Welsh economy in its last financial year, which is projected to rise by more than 20% over the next two.
The Welsh language promoting cultural organisation commissioned consultancy Arad Research to assess its economic impact, both direct and indirect.
It revealed a positive impact of £25.5m in 2017-18, projected to rise to £31m by 2019-20, buoyed by a £5.5m investment in its Llangrannog and Glan-llyn residential centres. Following this major capital expenditure, its economic impact is forecast to fall back to £26.6m in 2020-21.
The analysis shows the organisation in its 2017-18 financial year had a direct impact of £8.8m through spending on goods, sevices and staff in Wales. It directly employs more than 300 people.
It also generated indirect spending of £8.1m through visitor spending in its eisteddfodau, centres and sporting activities. Together the indirect and direct impacts induced a further “stimulated impact” of £8.8m.
The findings also show that:
■ Local and national Urdd eisteddfodau in the year generated an economic value of £11.5m, £5.5m of which was generated in the main Eisteddfod’s local area, Brecon and Radnorshire;
■ Urdd’s sports activities generated an economic value of £2.6m in Wales;
■ Urdd residential centres generated a total economic value of £6.9m in Wales – £3.1m (Llangrannog), (Glan-llyn) and £1.8m (Cardiff) – through expenditure on goods; and
■ Its three main centres attracted just over 46,000 visitors in 201718. In the same financial year the Urdd has an income of £10.2m. As a result of each £1 it received, it produced an economic value of £2.51 in Wales.
Urdd chief executive Sian Lewis said; “The Urdd was established in 1922 with the aim of offering Welsh children and young people life opportunities through the medium of Welsh.
“Fast-forward 96 years and today the Urdd has over 53,000 members between the ages of eight and 25 who enjoy wide and varied opportunities to enjoy sporting, cultural, community and residential experiences through the medium of Welsh.
“Added to this, the Urdd now finds itself in a leading economic role, making a real impact on the Welsh economy. The Urdd currently employs over 300 staff, the highest ever in its history.
“Today’s economic value of £25.5m shows that a third-sector organisation that operates through the medium of Welsh can succeed in creating an economic impact together with a positive influence on the Welsh language”
On its capital investment programme, Ms Lewis said; “The Urdd is planning significant capital expenditure over the next few years, including a large investment in our residential centres during 2019-20. The £5.5m investment in the Llangrannog and Glan-llyn Urdd centres includes a Welsh Government. grant of £2.75m. This work will have been completed by 2020-21, which explains the projected fall in the 2020-21 figures.
“However, the Urdd will continue to look at new projects of investment during the next few years and would expect this figure to increase.”
Minister for Welsh Language and Lifelong Learning Eluned Morgan said: “The Urdd has made a significant cultural, linguistic and educational contribution to Wales for many years.
“I’m sure many of us hold fond memories of summer camps, at Glan-llyn and Llangrannog and of competing at or visiting the Urdd Eisteddfod. It is very pleasing to learn that the Urdd is also making a significant economic contribution to Wales.”