Annual conference
#MakeADifference
Annual Conference 2026
Thursday 19 March 26, SBARC Cardiff 9.30am-3.30pm
SPARK building, Maindy Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ
https://maps.app.goo.gl/peBeWQs6Ye44VkUf6
Annual Conference 2026
Thursday 19 March 26, SBARC Cardiff 9.30am-3.30pm
SPARK building, Maindy Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ
https://maps.app.goo.gl/peBeWQs6Ye44VkUf6
How to make a difference?
Every year Foundational Economy Alliance Cymru holds an in-person conference for policy makers, practitioners and community activists. The 2025 conference was held on Thursday 19 March 2026 at SBARC in Cardiff.
Our question was How to make a difference? and our belief is that we now need new ways of working. We explored this theme primarily in the three foundational areas of housing, food and the visitor economy where we have active groups. The discussion sessions were opened by our panellists:
9.30 – 10.00 Registration, tea & coffee
10.00 – 10.15 Welcome and Scene Setting
Food insecurity: 10.15 to 11.30am
Derek Walker, Future Generations Commissioner
Dr Neil James, Deep End Cymru
Cleide Correia, Merthyr Cynon Foodbank
11.30 – 11.45 Refreshment break
Social rents and housing affordability: 11.45 to 1pm
Gass Jarra, activist tenant
Lorraine Oates, CFO Merthyr Valley Homes
Emma Nicholas, Independent Tenant Voice Cymru
1.00 – 1.45 Lunch
Tourism that works for communities: 1.45 to 3pm
Rebeca Roberts, Gwynedd Councillor
Chris Johnes, Building Communities Trust
Eli Elis-Williams, Slate Valley community researcher
3.00 – 3.30 How I can Make a Difference
3.30 Close
If we are to deliver on these issues, top down must meet bottom up with a much larger role for citizens’ voice. In all these areas behaviours and structures must change so that we create opportunities to give and receive support, to learn from successes and failures, and create strong and effective alliances.
Every year Foundational Economy Alliance Cymru holds an in-person conference for policy makers, practitioners and community activists. The 2025 conference was held on Thursday 19 March 2026 at SBARC in Cardiff.
Our question was How to make a difference? and our belief is that we now need new ways of working. We explored this theme primarily in the three foundational areas of housing, food and the visitor economy where we have active groups. The discussion sessions were opened by our panellists:
9.30 – 10.00 Registration, tea & coffee
10.00 – 10.15 Welcome and Scene Setting
Food insecurity: 10.15 to 11.30am
Derek Walker, Future Generations Commissioner
Dr Neil James, Deep End Cymru
Cleide Correia, Merthyr Cynon Foodbank
11.30 – 11.45 Refreshment break
Social rents and housing affordability: 11.45 to 1pm
Gass Jarra, activist tenant
Lorraine Oates, CFO Merthyr Valley Homes
Emma Nicholas, Independent Tenant Voice Cymru
1.00 – 1.45 Lunch
Tourism that works for communities: 1.45 to 3pm
Rebeca Roberts, Gwynedd Councillor
Chris Johnes, Building Communities Trust
Eli Elis-Williams, Slate Valley community researcher
3.00 – 3.30 How I can Make a Difference
3.30 Close
If we are to deliver on these issues, top down must meet bottom up with a much larger role for citizens’ voice. In all these areas behaviours and structures must change so that we create opportunities to give and receive support, to learn from successes and failures, and create strong and effective alliances.
Registration 2026 FAW conference
Eventbrite registration is live, please contact Joanna Hatch (nee Quinney-Adams) [email protected]
Joining Instructions 2026 FAW conference
Thank you for registering to attend
How to make a difference? Thursday 19 March 26, SBARC Cardiff 9.30am-3.30pm
Joanna is finalising the catering order on Thursday a week before the event.
Please email [email protected] ASAP.
As 19/03 is the last day of Ramadan, if you require any support, please ask.
Or you need anything else, please email Joanna.
SPARK
The conference will take place in the main event space at the SPARK building, Maindy Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ. https://maps.app.goo.gl/peBeWQs6Ye44VkUf6
GETTING THERE
From Cardiff Central train station it takes approximately 40 mins/1.6 miles to walk to SPARK.
From Cardiff Bus Interchange the bus (No. 21, 23, 24, 27, 35) take 10 mins to get to Maindy Stadium, a 10 mins/0.5 mile walk to SPARK.
Other nearby train stations: Cardiff Queen Street and Cathays.
PARKING
There is limited parking available for this event. Parking at SPARK can't be booked and is on a first come first served basis.
https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/visit/accessibility/cathays-park-campus/sbarc-spark
ARRIVAL
There will be members of the WISERD Hub Team on hand to greet you at the registration desk, please check in on arrival.
BADGES
All delegates will be issued with a badge at registration. Please wear this at all times during the conference. We kindly ask you to return all name badges to the registration desk at the end of the event.
REFRESHMENTS AND LUNCH
Lunch and refreshments will be served on the ground floor of the SPARK building, to the right of the main event space as you walk out of it.
Vegan and vegetarian options will be provided and labelled, and any dietary requirements will be catered for.
Please check that you have emailed your dietary and access requirements to Joanna [email protected] a week before the event.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Please note that we will be taking photos at this event. We will use these to share news about the event. If you would prefer not to be filmed, please let one of the event organisers know. Thank you.
How to make a difference? Thursday 19 March 26, SBARC Cardiff 9.30am-3.30pm
Joanna is finalising the catering order on Thursday a week before the event.
Please email [email protected] ASAP.
As 19/03 is the last day of Ramadan, if you require any support, please ask.
Or you need anything else, please email Joanna.
SPARK
The conference will take place in the main event space at the SPARK building, Maindy Road, Cathays, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ. https://maps.app.goo.gl/peBeWQs6Ye44VkUf6
GETTING THERE
From Cardiff Central train station it takes approximately 40 mins/1.6 miles to walk to SPARK.
From Cardiff Bus Interchange the bus (No. 21, 23, 24, 27, 35) take 10 mins to get to Maindy Stadium, a 10 mins/0.5 mile walk to SPARK.
Other nearby train stations: Cardiff Queen Street and Cathays.
PARKING
There is limited parking available for this event. Parking at SPARK can't be booked and is on a first come first served basis.
https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/visit/accessibility/cathays-park-campus/sbarc-spark
ARRIVAL
There will be members of the WISERD Hub Team on hand to greet you at the registration desk, please check in on arrival.
BADGES
All delegates will be issued with a badge at registration. Please wear this at all times during the conference. We kindly ask you to return all name badges to the registration desk at the end of the event.
REFRESHMENTS AND LUNCH
Lunch and refreshments will be served on the ground floor of the SPARK building, to the right of the main event space as you walk out of it.
Vegan and vegetarian options will be provided and labelled, and any dietary requirements will be catered for.
Please check that you have emailed your dietary and access requirements to Joanna [email protected] a week before the event.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Please note that we will be taking photos at this event. We will use these to share news about the event. If you would prefer not to be filmed, please let one of the event organisers know. Thank you.