3. What assessment has the Deputy Minister made of the impact of COVID-19 on the voluntary sector in Wales? OQ55891

The sector’s response to the crisis has shown the strength and depth of the sector. It has also highlighted the importance of a strong and resilient third sector, which is why I have established the third sector partnership council recovery group to ensure a fair, just and green recovery. 

Thank you for that response, and I note the response you gave earlier to David Rees. I want to ask specifically about the situation of environmental bodies in Wales. Like a number of other organisations, they're facing difficulties, often because their sites are a source of revenue and have had to close, also membership is suffering, given that individuals tend to cut back because of the wider economic situation. But these economic organisations and bodies are delivery partners that are very important to Welsh Government when it comes to a broad range of projects and programmes related to tackling the climate crisis and the biodiversity crisis that we are facing in Wales, and it's becoming more and more difficult for those bodies, because of the loss of core funding, mainly, to play a full role in that work.

And I want to know what you're doing specifically from the point of view of the environmental voluntary sector, because if we're talking about having a green recovery, then we will be starting from a further point back than we would wish, unless, of course, some of these bodies get the support that they need.

I'm grateful to Llyr Gruffydd for that specific focus on the environmental third sector, also recognising of course that, as well as tackling and responding to the coronavirus, we've also had the flooding. And that of course has had a huge environmental impact, and the third sector, again—and the volunteers—rose to respond to that. But I think the £24 million to support the Wales voluntary sector has reached out to as many of those charities—not just those who are perhaps more focused on health, social care and housing, but also to those in the environmental sector. We have the third sector resilience fund—£1 million—that's helping third sector organisations financially through the crisis. And I think that's a key point you make, those who perhaps also have seen—many have seen a fall in their fund-raising, donation income. In fact, the fund to date has supported 112 organisations, with awards totalling £4.63 million. And I will get specific information about how many of those are in the environmental sector, because I believe those are the ones who we need to see take us forward, in terms of their crucial work, particularly tackling climate change.

But I think also our voluntary sector services recovery fund is about how we can move forward, focusing on reducing inequalities across society as a result of COVID-19, and many communities suffering disproportionately. Enabling them to look forward in terms of recovery is the purpose of that fund, which is also supporting many organisations across Wales.