4theRegion is an alliance of people, businesses and organisations across South West Wales, who love where we live and want our region to flourish.
We connect people, share good news and enable collaboration, through our forums, events, projects and comms, for a future that promotes the well-being of people and planet.
Support our movement and be part of the solution.
SHARING GOOD NEWS
Subscribe to our good news round-up of the region’s best headlines
MEMBER SECTOR FORUMS
Join to be part of our influential sector conversations
BUILD BACK BETTER
Empowering regional conversations in our weekly podcast
There is great stuff happening across our region, but people don’t know what others are doing. We champion the changemakers and share positive news, to connect likeminded people and great ideas.
If you’re fed up with negativity and want to share a more positive vision for the region, subscribe to our newsletter and spread the word.
PODCAST
26. Young People and Politics in Wales 2021
We heard from a passionate and inspiring group of young people from a range of backgrounds, who shared their own opinions and talked about what they’re already doing to make a difference – especially on climate and equalities.
25. Resilience Network Pembrokeshire
Collaboration and connection with all of the amazing organisations that are working across our region is a key theme at 4theRegion and we believe that the power of working together can benefit all. Another organisation focusing on collaborative power is the Rhwydwaith, a resilience network based across Pembrokeshire. Today, director Vicky Moller shares the impact the network has had across communities.
24. Sustainability at the DVLA with Rhian Thomas
We’re delighted that DVLA has come on board as a partner of our alliance. We speak to the DVLA’s Senior Sustainability and Travel Services Manager, Rhian Thomas, about the organisations commitments to reducing carbon emissions, increasing on-site biodiversity, sustainable transport methods (such as electric vehicles) and the success of the DVLA’s performance against the Greening Government Commitments.
OUR IMPACT AREAS
Buy Regional
If businesses and organisations in this region buy more from each other, we can keep more wealth here in South West Wales, develop our supply chain, and create more opportunities for people and local businesses.
Destination & Transport
Tourism is a key economic driver for the region. An integrated, sustainable travel network is essential to prosperity and well-being. We want to help partners collaborate better across the region to develop both.
Development & Investment
Regeneration is something we should all do together. How can we ensure that major regional projects are designed and delivered in a way that provides economic and social benefits for the region over the long term?
Well-being Region
In a fast changing world, we think the well-being economy will be the battleground of the next 10 years, and successful places will be those that build prosperity by prioritising people, health, quality of life, the environment and equality.
Circular Economy
A circular economy is restorative and regenerative by design. We must move away from our linear economy (make, use, dispose), closing the loop to conserve resources and ensure long term sustainability.
Creative Economy
The creative economy is everything that relates to human creativity and ideas, IP, knowledge and technology. How can we support more creativity and innovation across our economy?
GOOD NEWS
Marine Energy Wales launches its 2020 highlights report to set the scene for the Annual Marine Energy Wales conference this week
Ahead of this year’s Annual Marine Energy Wales Conference 2021, Marine Energy Wales (MEW) has launched its “2020 highlights and reflections report”. The report, a month by month walk through, is packed full of the accomplishments of the...
Main contractor announced for major Wind Street improvements
South Wales contractor Griffiths is to undertake Swansea Council’s work to make the city centre Wind Street a more family-friendly environment. The well respected firm was selected by the council in a competitive tender process and is due...
Developers eager to bring top class public facilities to prime site
Developers want to bring top class new public facilities to an under-used seafront site. Property consultants working on behalf of Swansea Council have had a number of promising enquiries proposing a variety of possible uses for the...
Marine Energy Test Area secures Marine License
META, Wales’ national marine test centre, has obtained its Marine License for Phase 2 of the project from Natural Resources Wales (NRW). This marks a significant step forward for the project, enabling META to support wave and tidal stream...
The Queens Hall in Narberth have announced a top-quality live music line up for Spring to be enjoyed exclusively from the comfort of your own home
With pubs, clubs and music venues across Wales remaining closed, The Queens Hall in Narberth are spreading a little bit of aural relief across the county for those missing the magic of live music and gigs. Using support from the Cultural...
New Wellness Centre set for city’s high street
A new state-of-the-art Wellness Centre is coming to Swansea’s High Street thanks to a partnership between Swansea Bay University Health Board and Coastal Housing Group. The project will be delivered under Welsh Government’s Primary Care...
Dean’s business helps community fight the Pandemic
Serving his local community throughout the lockdown has been a challenge, but a rewarding one, says Dean Waters. The former chef, who launched Fresh and Fine Foods in Glynneath last March, is battling on and hoping for better times ahead...
Llanelli Shared Vision Meeting
This meeting was organised by South West Wales Connected, the new community rail partnership hosted by 4theRegion & Transport for Wales. Our role is then to support, facilitate and and help to take forward the ideas that emerge from these conversations, so that things start happening on the ground.
New active travel route on way for Neath
Neath Port Talbot Council has appointed a contractor to start work on the creation of a new Active Travel route between Neath and Tonna. The route will take users alongside the towpath from Bridge Street in Neath to a point next to the...
Swansea schools welcome in a solar-powered New Year!
Two more Swansea schools have completed large solar panel installs with Egni Co-op. A 100kW system was fitted on Morriston Comprehensive just before Christmas, and another 100kW has been completed on Cefn Hengoed Comprehensive in the...
Self-Employed In Wales Urged Not To Miss The Self-Assessment Tax Deadline – Use Lockdown Time Wisely
Leading Wales-based accountancy and financial planning specialists Bevan Buckland LLP, is reminding self-employed people that they may be able to reduce their first tax return payment to HMRC if the pandemic has hit their earnings. But,...
Council shortlist paves way for major regeneration schemes
A number of major possible partners have been shortlisted to help power Swansea city centre into a confident post-Covid future. They were attracted by Swansea Council in its worldwide search for a development partner to regenerate a...