With the Senedd elections just around the corner, our Policy & Insights Officer, Shaun Bendle gives an overview of developments and themes for the voluntary sector.
With just weeks to go until the 2026 Senedd election, it is shaping up to be one of the most closely fought and dramatic elections in Welsh political history. It can be hard to understand what’s going on and where we’re heading.
CANDIDATES ANNOUNCED
A total of 675 candidates have been confirmed as standing in the upcoming election, an average of 42 candidates per constituency. These seats will be elected using a new form of closed‑list proportional representation, in which voters choose a list of predetermined candidates from political parties.
Each constituency will elect six Senedd Members, across 16 constituencies, equalling a total of 96 Members in the expanded Senedd. You can find out more about the new voting system, or who your local candidates are, on the new Vote Wales website from the Electoral and Boundary Commission.
POLITICAL PARTIES LAUNCH THEIR MANIFESTOS
Most parties have now launched their manifestos, setting out what they would seek to achieve if they form part of the next Welsh Government. Polling has consistently predicted six parties to win at least one seat in the upcoming election. At our hustings event in March and across our engagement work ahead of the election, all six have reiterated the importance of the sector and pledged to work with us in the new Senedd term. You can read their manifestos on their websites:
- Plaid Cymru
- Reform UK
- Wales Green Party
- Welsh Conservative Party
- Welsh Labour
- Welsh Liberal Democrats
Several relevant themes have emerged across the manifestos, outlined below.
COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP
Welsh Labour, Plaid Cymru, the Wales Green Party and the Welsh Liberal Democrats have committed to introducing a ‘community right‑to‑buy’, fulfilling a long-standing ask from the sector. The Welsh Conservatives have committed to a ‘community right‑to‑bid’, backed by a community ownership fund.
PREVENTATIVE HEALTHCARE
All manifestos feature a focus on preventative healthcare. This ranges from healthier diets and promoting exercise, to the benefits of cleaner air, warmer homes, and the role of culture and sport in supporting wellbeing. This aligns strongly with WCVA’s call to prioritise prevention, with many parties recognising the vital role the voluntary sector plays in this area.
GRASSROOTS SPORTS AND CULTURE VENUES
All six parties have pledged support for community sports and cultural venues. Reform UK frames it around youth wellbeing, pledging to invest in sports facilities. Welsh Labour has also pledged investment in grassroots sports and support for music venues. The Welsh Conservatives would offer business rates relief to grassroots arts and cultural venues. Similarly, the Welsh Liberal Democrats would support these venues while providing transport subsidies to improve access in rural communities.
Plaid Cymru focuses on protecting community venues and increasing access for local people. The Wales Green Party have committed to improving access to community and cultural assets through a Culture Bill that would place a duty on local authorities to protect these spaces.
Many voluntary organisations rely on community venues for their day‑to‑day activity. The protection and investment in them closely align with WCVA’s manifesto ask for improved access to shared spaces that bring people together.
These themes show that there is common ground not only between the political parties, but also between each of them and the voluntary sector, providing a foundation for the sector to work constructively with any incoming Welsh Government.
MORE WORK IS NEEDED
While some of the parties promise multi-year funding to local authorities and Welsh Labour pledged to continue promoting the Code of Practice for Funding the Third Sector, more will need to be done to reassure voluntary organisations. Baromedr Cymru data has consistently shown that the sector is concerned about income generation, with 81% of organisations citing it as their top issue.
A Fair Funding Duty is one of the five elements of our ask for a Voluntary Sector Partnership Act. Despite not featuring in party manifestos, we secured the formal support of the Wales Green Party, while the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru, Welsh Labour and the Welsh Conservatives expressed they would be open to exploring the idea.
STAY UP TO DATE
Election day will not mark the end of the process. Polling suggests that parties may need to work together and strike deals before they are able to put forward a programme for government.
WCVA will continue to represent the sector throughout this process and keep you informed of key developments. Our 2026 Senedd election webpage includes key information, dates and guidance for charities ahead of the election.
You can also join our policy network, which brings together partners from across the sector to share policy insights. Email policy@wcva.cymru to sign up.