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Category: News Feed

  • Senedd Members Visit CAT to Hear About Sustainability Projects and Future Plans 

    Senedd Members Visit CAT to Hear About Sustainability Projects and Future Plans 

    Members of the Senedd for Gwynedd Maldwyn, Siân Gwenllian MS, Elwyn Vaughan MS and Mabon ap Gwynfor MS visited the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) on Friday to learn more about the organisations work and future.

    Building Partnerships for Wales’ Future

    During the visit, which took place during the new Welsh government’s first 100 days in office, CAT staff provided an overview of the organisation’s work, highlighting its role as an environmental education charity, sustainability education provision, and community engagement in Wales. Discussions explored opportunities to strengthen relationships with the newly elected Members and how CAT’s expertise, educational programmes and on-the-ground experience could support the Welsh Government’s ambitions to tackle the climate and nature emergencies while creating opportunities for skills development, green jobs and sustainable economic growth.

    CAT gardener talks to Senedd members during their tour of the CAT site

    Progress on CAT’s Major Projects

    The Members also received an update on Troi’r Llanw / Turning the Tide, CAT’s new community-led climate action project funded by £1.5 million from the National Lottery Community Fund. The project supports communities across Wales to take practical action on climate change and build resilience through locally led solutions.

    Discussions also covered recent milestones in CAT’s flagship redevelopment project, Cynefin: Green Heart of Wales, which aims to transform CAT’s facilities and strengthen its role as a nationally significant centre for sustainability education, innovation and community action for generations to come.

    A Tour of CAT in Action

    For more than 50 years, CAT has provided inspiration, education and training in practical climate solutions from its Llwyngwern Quarry home in Mid-Wales, which the Members had the opportunity to tour. They visited CAT’s gardens to meet current residential volunteers and observed live student build projects currently being undertaken by students on CAT’s Masters in Sustainable Architecture, viewing the breadth of CAT’s work in action.

    Senedd members on a tour of the CAT site look at Architecture students building a timber frame structure

    Rhiannon Turner, Trustee at the Centre for Alternative Technology, said:

    “It was a pleasure to welcome Siân Gwenllian MS, Mabon ap Gwynfor MS and Elwyn Vaughan MS to CAT so early in this Senedd term and begin what we hope will be a productive relationship with the new Welsh Government.”

    “Today’s discussions reflected the strong alignment between the Welsh Government’s priorities and the work already taking place here at CAT. We feel confident these conversations will develop into practical commitments that benefit the region and beyond.”

    Siân Gwenllian MS said:

    “It was a pleasure to visit the Centre for Alternative Technology and learn more about its pioneering work to tackle the climate and nature emergencies. It’s a real source of pride that Gwynedd Maldwyn is home to an organisation with an international reputation for sustainability, innovation and green skills, and I look forward to supporting its work in the years ahead.”

    Mabon ap Gwynfor MS said:

    “Seeing how CAT combines education, innovation and community engagement to develop practical solutions to the climate and nature emergencies was incredibly encouraging, and it shows the important role organisations like this can play in building a more sustainable future for Wales.”

    Elwyn Vaughan MS said:

    “Having previously served as a councillor in Powys, I have long been aware of the pioneering work carried out by the Centre for Alternative Technology and the positive contribution it makes to our communities. Its Troi’r Llanw / Turning the Tide project is a fantastic example of how meaningful climate action must be rooted in local communities, empowering people to develop solutions from the ground up and ensuring that everyone has a role to play in tackling the climate and nature emergencies.”

    Amanda Smith, Head of Learning and Education talsk to Senedd Members as they tour the CAT site, with a sign and woodland behind them
    Looking across the CAT site

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  • New Wales-wide climate action project “Troi’r Llanw / Turning the Tide”

    New Wales-wide climate action project “Troi’r Llanw / Turning the Tide”

    This World Environment Day, the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) is proud to announce the launch of a major new three-year climate action project, Troi’r Llanw/Turning the Tide.

    Thanks to National Lottery players, Troi’r Llanw/Turning the Tide has received £1,499,800 over three years from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest community funder in the UK. The project aims to normalise community-led climate work, ensure marginalised voices shape environmental decisions, and help people feel empowered in the face of the climate crisis. The project is led by the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) alongside Cwmpas, Youth Cymru, Mentrau Iaith Cymru, and Ethnic Minorities and Youth Support Team Wales (EYST).

    University group walks up to the community owned wind turbine in the hills above CAT

    A Wales-wide approach to community-led climate action

    The project, which directly links with this year’s World Environment Day theme (A Global Call for Climate Action), aims to influence community-led climate action by delivering a Wales-wide (bilingual) programme to promote climate action. It will link community initiatives to share innovations and good practice, create and support a peer network of environmental champions, and disseminate results to inform Welsh and UK-level policy and practice.

    To achieve this, partners will deliver an integrated programme of awareness raising, capacity building, co-production, and systems change approaches. It will also provide technical advice and tailored support, practical help for climate focused social enterprises, and an information and advice hub, while nurturing environmental champions and a learning network, hosting an annual gathering and learning conference, and driving evaluative research and policy engagement.

    CAT students looking at historic documents in the National Library of Wales

    Ultimately, the project aims to strengthen climate literacy and awareness, build capacity for action and support community-led projects while promoting a just and fair transition to a more sustainable future. By sharing stories of successful local action, and encouraging policy dialogue, it will work to ensure that community perspectives influence decision makers. The initiative aims to draw on the strengths and networks of its delivery partners to reach target communities and guide people from everyday conversations to sustained climate action and wider policy impact.

    This comes from the Climate Action Fund, a long-term commitment to support communities across the UK to act on climate change and involve more people in positive environmental action.

    Over the next three years, the project will directly engage thousands of people across Wales, supporting communities in rural, urban and coastal areas, with a particular focus on those facing social, economic and environmental disadvantage enabling them to turn ideas into practical solutions – from community energy and food projects to skills development, nature recovery and low-carbon innovation.

    Civic Square community group on a tour of the CAT site. Photo by Dan Griffiths
    Civic Square community group on a tour of the CAT site. Photo by Dan Griffiths

    Strong partnerships reaching diverse communities

    Amanda Smith, Head of Learning and Education at CAT and Project Lead, said:

    “Troi’r Llanw / Turning the Tide, thanks to the National Lottery Community Fund, brings together the strengths of organisations across Wales to make climate action more accessible, relevant and achievable for everyone. At CAT, we are uniquely placed to lead this ambitious programme by bringing over 50 years of experience in climate education, community engagement and practical solutions, but we know that real change happens when we work in partnership. By combining our expertise with the deep community connections of our partners, we can reach a wider and more diverse range of people, supporting communities to build the knowledge, confidence and skills they need to turn ideas into lasting, local action.”

    Through this project, CAT will provide strategic leadership, climate expertise, training and technical support — helping communities move from initial engagement to sustained, practical action.

    Young Company Residency group visit to CAT. Photo by Mohamed Hassan
    Photo by Mohamed Hassan

    Working in partnership alongside Cwmpas, Youth Cymru, Mentrau Iaith Cymru, and Ethnic Minorities and Youth Support Team Wales (EYST) will enable the project to reach communities right across Wales inspiring and enabling them to take practical, locally-led action on climate change – ensuring that those most affected by climate impacts are at the heart of the response.

    Myfanwy Jones, Director of Mentrau Iaith Cymru said:

    “Mentrau Iaith Cymru is excited to be part of this important project to empower communities to take action for the climate.  Stimulating Welsh-medium discussions in our communities is something Mentrau Iaith Cymru are passionate about.  We look forward to fostering new partnerships through the project for the benefit of our communities.”

    Bethan Webber, Chief Executive of Cwmpas said:

    “We are delighted to be part of the Troi’r Llanw / Turning the Tide project, working with our partners to reach communities across Wales and inspiring them to take practical, local-led action on climate change.

    At Cwmpas, we believe everyone in Wales can help to build a fairer, greener economy and a more equal society. That is why it is so important that communities feel empowered to get involved, make decisions that reflect their local priorities, and take practical action, especially in response to the climate emergency and the need to reduce our carbon impact. We are proud to be a part of this project and look forward to supporting Welsh communities to turn their innovative ideas into meaningful action.”

    Helal Uddin from Ethnic Minorities and Youth Support Team (EYST) said:

    “We are grateful to the National Lottery Community Fund and to the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) for this important opportunity to be part of the Troi’r Llanw / Turning the Tide partnership.

    At EYST, we see every day how climate change and environmental challenges intersect with wider inequalities facing our communities. Through this project, we will work closely with young people, families and community groups across Wales to raise awareness, build skills and inspire action that is rooted in cultural values and community strengths. By creating safe spaces for dialogue, delivering hands-on learning and supporting local environmental champions, we aim to ensure that those often underrepresented in climate conversations are not only included, but empowered to lead change in their communities. We believe it is all our responsibility to leave a positive environmental footprint and a lasting legacy for future generations.”

    Together, these partners bring extensive grassroots networks, trusted relationships and deep expertise in working with communities who are often underrepresented in climate conversations. This collaborative approach ensures the project can meet people where they are, connecting climate action to everyday concerns such as jobs, energy costs, health and community wellbeing.

    Logos of those involved in the Turning the Tide Project. National Lottery community Fund. Centre for Alternative Technology. Cwmpas. Ethnic Minorities and Youth Support Team (EYST). Mentrau Iaith Cymru. Youth Cymru
    Looking across the CAT site

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  • CAT’s Quarry Cottages redevelopment goes to planning 

    CAT’s Quarry Cottages redevelopment goes to planning 

    This week marks an important moment for CAT as we take a significant step forward in our long-term capital redevelopment project ‘Cynefin: Green Heart of Wales’. 

    We have formally submitted planning applications for two key early elements of the project: the new build Quarry Cottages accommodation and the renovation of the Straw Bale Theatre.  

    These applications are the first visible signs of a transformational programme of work designed to secure CAT’s future as a world leading centre for environmental education.

    Drawing showcasing CAT's plans for the quarry. Drawing by Haworth Tompkins
    Drawing by Haworth Tompkins

    A staged project, with staged funding 

    Cynefin is supported by the Mid Wales Growth Deal, with funding approved for its initial phase. Future phases will be subject to further approvals before any additional funding is committed. As a multi-stage capital project, progression is phased, with each stage moving forward only once the required match funding has been secured. 

    This structure means that alongside the Growth Deal support, CAT must work with a wide range of partners, donors, trusts, and funders. Each brings a slightly different focus, but all share a commitment to CAT’s mission: enabling people to learn the skills and solutions needed for a thriving, sustainable future. 

    We know that this comes shortly after our urgent fundraising appeal and we want to be clear about the distinction. That appeal was about keeping CAT running day to day to bridge a short-term gap in funding as we reach the end of the financial year. The Growth Deal project, by contrast, is capital only funding (for physical infrastructure) that cannot be used for operational costs. These two funding streams serve different purposes, but both are vital to CAT’s long-term resilience.

    The Design

    CAT have been working alongside Stirling prize-winning architects Haworth Tompkins on the designs for the restoration and extension to the quarry cottages and retrofit of the Straw Bale theatre. As co-founders of Architects Declare, Haworth Tompkins advocate sustainable and regenerative approaches to design and are thrilled to reach this important juncture for Project Cynefin.

    More details on their exciting work with CAT will be shared in due course.

    What’s included in this phase? 

    Quarry Cottages: new sustainable accommodation 

    At the heart of this first stage is the redevelopment of CAT’s historic Quarry Cottages – a once‑lived‑in corner of the old slate quarry that will become a purpose-built haven for learning groups. 

    Designed as a site within a site, the new and transformed Quarry Cottages will offer groups their own safe, self‑contained space: separate enough to feel like a retreat, yet richly connected to the wider CAT landscape, its woodlands, and its teaching spaces.

    Drawing on CAT’s expertise in exemplar sustainable building practices, the development will honour the spirit and history of the original quarry workers’ cottages while working to transform them into vibrant, accessible accommodation that reflects the very best of cutting‑edge building standards. 

    Nestled gently into the hillside and surrounded by nature on all sides, the cottages will provide a place where visiting schools, universities, CAT Students and community groups can stay, connect deeply with the environment around them, and reflect on their learning at the end of each day. 

    The Quarry Cottages will offer an immersive overnight stay for guests based in a ‘site within a site’ that combines rich Celtic rainforest ecology, industrial and post-industrial site history and a microcosm of the holistic, practical approach to sustainability that is the basis of CAT’s vision and mission.

    This will mark a significant step forward in CAT’s ability to welcome more learners to CAT’s unique living laboratory – in comfort, safety, and direct connection with the land beneath their feet.

    Drawing of what the Quarry Cottages will look like. Drawing by Haworth Tompkins
    Drawing by Haworth Tompkins

    Straw Bale Theatre: a refreshed exemplar classroom 

    The retrofit of CAT’s much-loved Straw Bale Theatre will breathe new life into this iconic natural building, transforming it into a modern, vibrant learning hub. 

    As a home base for visiting schools, many of whom travel long distances for immersive days at CAT, the reimagined Straw Bale Theatre will provide a welcoming, flexible classroom space that supports experiential, hands-on learning. Its overhaul will ensure we can continue delivering high-quality education during phases of the wider campus redevelopment progress.

    Outside, a new outdoor classroom nestled between wild gardens, ponds, and woodland will offer a safe, stimulating space for play, exploration, and discovery. This natural learning environment will expand CAT’s capacity to bring more children into nature-rich experiences that foster curiosity, confidence, and a sense of belonging. 

    Together, the refreshed Straw Bale Theatre and its adjoining outdoor classroom will form a cornerstone of CAT’s educational offer – a place where thousands of young people can connect with climate solutions, sustainable living, and the natural world in deeply memorable ways.

    Artist drawing of the Straw Bale Theatre. Drawing by Haworth Tompkins
    Drawing by Haworth Tompkins

    Laying foundations for CAT’s future 

    Submitting these planning applications marks the beginning of the visible stages of a long term, carefully sequenced project. There is much work still to do, including securing the match funding needed to unlock each stage, but this progress represents a hopeful and energising step forward. 
     
    Starting with our accommodation provision and learning spaces have been prioritised to support the continuation of our crucial teaching and on-site engagement while broader and more impactful developments take place in the future.  

    With the support of our community, partners, and funders, Cynefin will help CAT continue to inspire, educate, and support the changemakers of the future. 

    Future stages of work will reopen the CAT site to day visitors as a leading educational visitor attraction and provide exemplar and cutting-edge learning facilities for CAT’s learners of all types.

    Drawing of the planned Quarry Cottage redevelopment. Drawing by Haworth Tompkins
    Drawing by Haworth Tompkins

    Keep an eye on the CAT website for further announcements as the project progresses. https://cat.org.uk/about-cat/cynefin/  

    Looking across the CAT site

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  • Leadership updates at CAT

    Leadership updates at CAT

    As the organisation enters its next chapter, after more than four years in post, the shared leadership of CAT’s Co-CEO’s Eileen Kinsman and Paul Booth is coming to an end.

    Eileen and Paul have led CAT in partnership through a challenging few years, including the impact of COVID and wider pressures across the tourism, education and charity sectors. Stepping jointly into their roles during a crucial phase for CAT’s long-term vision, they played a key part in strengthening our organisational foundations and supporting the development of our Cynefin capital redevelopment project. Their leadership was vital for securing £13.1m of future investment from the Mid Wales Growth Deal and guiding CAT through a time of wider economic uncertainty.

    Eileen Kinsman (left) and Paul Booth (right)

    As CAT reaches the end of its current five-year strategy and prepares for its next chapter, the Board is putting interim leadership in place. An interim CEO will be appointed to guide the charity through this transition. Until then, CAT’s Board of Trustees will work closely with the Senior Management Team to ensure continuity. Work on CAT’s next five-year strategy is underway, led by a cross departmental team with full support from the Board, and we look forward to sharing updates on this in due course.

    We thank Eileen and Paul for their contribution to CAT’s journey. Paul will move back into the role of Finance Director, and Eileen will be leaving the organisation.

    As we look ahead, we remain focused on our charitable mission, ensuring that CAT continues to inspire, inform, and enable the transition to a sustainable future, and energised by the opportunities the next chapter of CAT’s work will bring.

    We look forward to providing you with further updates in due course and would like to thank you for your continued support.