Broadband ISP Ogi Award Community Grants to Projects in Rural Wales

Infracapital-backed UK ISP Ogi, which is rolling out a 10Gbps capable full fibre (FTTP) broadband network across South Wales (110,000 RFS premises passed by end of 2024), has today announced that they’ve released another batch of grants – worth around £5,000 – as part of their “Cefnogi” community support fund for local projects.

The community support fund (“Cefnogi”) typically offers grants worth up to £500, and volunteering hours, to local grassroots community groups to help them “explore innovative approaches for promoting technology“ – focused on areas where Ogi have been building their new network.

The winning projects this time around include Scout camping trips, BBQs for veterans, social breakfasts and a nature-based well-being programme – “all helping to ease loneliness, build confidence and bring people together in real life,” said the provider.

For example, the Pembrokeshire Vikings – a mixed-ability rugby team led by former Scarlets and Ospreys prop Simon Gardiner, secured a grant that will go towards a West Wales inclusive sports day, giving local children the chance to try out adapted sports for the first time.

Summary of Winning Projects

Pontyclun Bosom Pals – for their summer BBQ

Caldicot Town Team – for their dementia puzzle library

Redberth Croft – to run a series of workshops supporting veterans, individuals with additional learning needs and other vulnerable groups

Barry Veterans Group – to fund their weekly breakfast initiative

1st Bulwark Scouts – for the replacement of damaged equipment

Pembrokeshire Vikings – to assist in set-up costs for their Inclusive Sports Day

Sarah Vining, Ogi’s Brand Marketing Director, said:

“We set up Cefnogi to support the brilliant things already happening in our communities – and this round of projects show off the creativity we have in abundance right across south Wales.

Whether it’s through sport, getting together for breakfast, puzzle swaps or outdoor therapy, they are all about feeling part of something – and making space for the kind of moments that really matter.”

We should add that part of Ogi’s network is also harnessing Nokia’s 25G PON technology, thus it could be described as 25Gbps capable.