Catalysing Change: Reflecting on Cwmpas’s first annual conference
Earlier this month we welcomed colleagues, partners, and friends from across Wales to Cwmpas’s inaugural annual conference. It was an energising day that brought together people who share a common ambition: to build an economy that works better for people, communities, and the planet.
Delivered in partnership with the Office of the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, our Catalysing Change conference created space for visionaries, practitioners, and decision-makers from across sectors to connect, share ideas, and challenge one another to think differently about Wales’s economic future.
For us at Cwmpas, the aim was simple, to spark conversations and inspire, but also to move beyond theory and onto the practical steps that can be taken to achieve our shared goals.
An inspirational starting point
We were delighted to welcome Neil McInroy as our keynote speaker. Neil’s work on community wealth building has shaped thinking around the world, and his insights provided a powerful foundation for the day.
Drawing on decades of experience developing and championing community wealth building across the world, Neil spoke about the importance of re-imagining how our economies operate. Rather than allowing wealth to flow out of communities, we can design systems that anchor investment locally, strengthen democratic ownership, and create long-term resilience.
His reflections reminded us that meaningful change isn’t brought about by accident. It happens when communities deliberately plan and choose to do things differently.
It was also fantastic to be joined by the Leader of Cardiff Council Huw Thomas, as he welcomed us to the nation’s capital. Huw provided a valuable perspective on the important role anchor institutions like local authorities have to play in delivering social value and empowering communities, as well as the importance of leading the way on being living wage accredited employers.
Turning ideas into action
Throughout the day, workshops explored what a new economy could look like in practice here in Wales, and the vital role that social and democratic businesses have to play.
Participants examined how the work of food co-operatives can strengthen the food sector while building local wealth and supporting resilient supply chains. Others explored how community energy can ensure that the transition to a low-carbon future delivers real benefits for local people and how co-operative business models can deliver sustainable long-term decarbonisation projects that are good for the planet and help cut energy bills.
One session focused on building the foundations of a thriving economy in Wales –Cartref, Cymuned a Chymraeg – while recognising that issues surrounding housing, community and the Welsh language are deeply interconnected.
We also explored how to build digitally savvy Welsh communities through a workshop with members of our digital inclusion and media literacy teams, ensuring that technological change can empower people, rather than leaving them behind.
And perhaps most importantly, participants were asked a challenging but necessary question: what needs to change, and how do we actually make it happen? This was a really lively and informative session and comes at a critical time in the Welsh political cycle, as the Senedd elections draw closer.
We will be capturing key points in a report, but it was clear that there are many challenges and barriers facing the sector that need to be addressed. What stood out was the sheer determination, resilience and immense creativity of a sector that is working tirelessly to keep going and build better futures for people in communities across Wales. The passion, dedication, and commitment of key individuals was really apparent, as well as the frustration, fatigue and risk of burn out.
The power of connection
One of the most encouraging aspects of the day was the sheer diversity of experience of people in the room. We had representatives from community organisations, social enterprises, public bodies, co-operatives, businesses, and policy organisations – all coming together with a shared interest in building a fairer and more sustainable Welsh economy.
That breadth of experience and the range of different perspectives matters. Lasting change is rarely built from one sector or organisation acting alone, it only manifests when people and organisations from a broad range of perspectives come together, challenge assumptions and collaborate in novel ways.
Looking ahead
As I reflect on our first conference, it is clear that while people understand the need for innovative thinking and fresh ideas, actionable steps are crucial to catalyse that change and build a better Welsh economy for people, communities and the planet.
Across Wales that change is already happening in real time. People are doing extraordinary work to build new co-operatives, expand renewable energy projects and build digitally-inclusive communities. Late last year, we celebrated reaching the milestone of the 100th employee-owned business establishing in Wales. Our job now is to connect those efforts, amplify them and ensure the policy environment works in their favour and not against them.
Catalysing Change was only the beginning. But if the energy and commitment in the room are anything to go by, there is a growing movement ready to shape a new economy for Wales – one that is fairer, greener, and rooted in community.
Thank you to everyone who contributed and attended.
