Institute of Welsh Affairs

14/10/2026

🚨The IWA is happy to share that we are a part of Asedau Ni - a project funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and led by DTA Wales, delivered in partnership with the IWA, The Coalfields Regeneration Trust and Building Community Trust. 🚨

Asedau Ni is a practical response to recommendations from the Community Assets
Commission, which has called for a ‘Centre of Excellence for Community Assets’ to
improve practice, support learning and bring together expertise from across the public,
private and third sectors. 💡

It is a Wales-wide support service and hub for community assets, bringing
together practical support, expertise and resources to help communities take on and
manage the places and assets that matter to them – from community shops, pubs and
village halls to childcare centres, arts spaces, farmland and woodland. 🏡

Find out more about Asedau Ni and how to get involved 👉

Supporting communities to secure the future of the places that matter.

13/10/2026

"The greatest climate risks facing Wales are not only the hazards themselves, but the decisions we make, or fail to make, in response to them."

Sarah Jennings, Executive Director of Natural Resources Wales, argues that Wales needs to ‘Be Flood Ready’ through system change and climate resilience.

Read it here 👉 https://www.iwa.wales/agenda/2026/10/wales-cannot-prevent-every-climate-impact-but-we-can-prepare-for-them/

06/10/2026

📣 BECOME A MEMBER 📣

Your membership will protect our independence from government and political parties and ensure we can continue to produce agenda-setting research and policies as we strive to help make Wales better.

Please consider supporting us - membership starts at only £3 per month 👉 https://www.iwa.wales/about-us/support-us/

06/10/2026

"It was flattering to be asked to hand over files and letters to the National Library, but disconcerting too. Somebody must have spotted my age – 87 – and decided it was time to make a move."

In this article, Colin Thomas reflects on what it was like being asked to contribute to the ‘Personal Archives’ of the National Library of Wales.

Read it here 👉 https://www.iwa.wales/agenda/2026/10/assigned-to-the-archive/

29/09/2026

Do you want to help build a better Wales for the future? 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

The Trustees of the Institute of Welsh Affairs (IWA) are excited to be looking for new cohort of members to join our Board.

We are particularly keen to ensure we continue to have a diverse range of experience and expertise to oversee the next stage of Wales’ leading independent think tank.

To apply, please send us your CV and a short covering letter (no more than two A4 pages each) outlining how you meet the requirements of the job description to [email protected] by 5pm on Friday, 6 November, 2026.

For an informal and confidential discussion about the roles with our Chair, please get in touch on [email protected] to arrange a call.

Download the full Board recruitment information pack in English or in Welsh via our website 👉 https://www.iwa.wales/our-work/work/we-are-looking-for-new-board-members/

28/09/2026

"Majid and Raj’s histories had been separated by the creation of India and Pakistan, yet their lives had converged through Glamorgan cricket and, for one afternoon at least, in a Welsh/Asian family home."

Dr Arun Midha explores how an afternoon in Swansea brought together two men from Lahore whose very different journeys through Partition, medicine and cricket became part of the story of modern Wales.

Read it here 👉 https://www.iwa.wales/agenda/2026/09/two-men-from-lahore-one-welsh-story/

23/09/2026

"The opportunity is to build a modern manufacturing economy that combines advanced technology with skilled people, patient capital and responsible employment."

In this article Gary Howells explores what a practical industrial strategy might look like for stronger productivity, better jobs and greater economic resilience.

Read it here 👉 https://www.iwa.wales/agenda/2026/09/making-more-in-wales/

21/09/2026

"Wales now stands alongside Scotland and England in recognising that care experienced children not only deserve - but need - dedicated, senior educational leadership."

Sir Alasdair MacDonald, Dr Emily Lothian, Deborah Williams and Michael Bettencourt call for an implementation strategy to scale up support for all care experienced learners across Wales.

Read it here 👉 https://www.iwa.wales/agenda/2026/09/a-call-to-action-for-care-experienced-learners-in-wales/

17/09/2026

🚨 IWA Co-Director Joe Rossiter responds to the consultation: Priorities for the Economy, Energy and Connectivity Committee 🚨

Read it here 👉

IWA Co-Director Joe Rossiter responds to the consultation: Priorities for the Economy, Energy and Connectivity Committee

16/09/2026

"Plaid must also be conscious that every data centre given preferential treatment in the electricity connection queue is potentially bumping down a new housing development, school, hospital or infrastructure project which could offer stronger benefits to local communities."

In this article Jack Wilkinson-Dix asks how Wales’ new government should respond to a rapidly growing – and increasingly contested – industry.

Read it here 👉 https://www.iwa.wales/agenda/2026/09/data-centres-smrs-and-the-challenge-for-plaid/