THE MOVEMENT to redesign the economy around people and the planet rather than profit will take centre stage at the Wellbeing Economy Festival of Ideas 2025, being held at Swansea Arena on Wednesday, November 12.

Organised by Wellbeing Economy Cymru (WE Cymru) and supported by 4theRegion and partners across Wales, the event will explore what a fair, sustainable and inclusive economy could look like — and how Wales can lead the change.

The free, one-day festival is open to all, from community leaders and entrepreneurs to students and residents keen to help shape Wales’ economic future.

A call for systems change

WE Cymru says Wales stands at a crossroads. With the cost of living, climate change and inequality worsening, organisers argue the current economic model — focused on growth and extraction — is no longer sustainable.

They say Wales already has strong foundations for change, including the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, a thriving social enterprise network, and growing public interest in moving beyond GDP as the main measure of success.

Festival organisers describe the event as “a call to action”, bringing together thinkers, doers and community groups already putting wellbeing principles into practice.

What’s happening on the day

Keynote address from Derek Walker, the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales.

Panel discussions challenging traditional ideas about growth and progress.

Exhibitions showcasing Welsh community enterprises, social businesses and local wealth-building projects.

An interactive Open Space session where attendees set the agenda and collaborate on live ideas.

The event will also feature policymakers, academics, local authorities and grassroots organisations discussing how community wealth-building, circular economy models and social enterprise can support jobs, services and climate goals.

Timely debate

Festival director Dawn Lyle, co-founder of 4theRegion, said: “This event could not be more timely. People are struggling with daily costs while billionaires get tax breaks. We can’t fix inequality or the climate crisis without tackling the systems that create them.”

Sian Jones, chair of WE Cymru, added: “Wales is part of the global Wellbeing Economy Alliance and the Wellbeing Economy Governments Organisation. We have a real opportunity to lead on economic development that genuinely delivers for people and communities.”

Mary Sherwood from the Poverty Insight Lab said: “Economic inequality needs to be challenged if we’re serious about wellbeing. We’re bringing the voices of people on low incomes to this event — those whose experiences must shape real change.”

David Kershaw, MD of Posterity Global, one of the exhibitors, said: “I loved last year’s festival. This year, I’m bringing public procurement to the table — because it’s time we saw spending as investing in our shared future.”

Emma Musgrave, of Purple Shoots, added: “We’re excited to show how enterprise can tackle poverty — taking real, concrete action right now.”

Details

Date: Wednesday 12 November 2025
Venue: Swansea Arena, Swansea
Registration: Free, limited spaces – wellbeingeconomy.cymru

WALES has been “hurt hardest” by Brexit amid a “mess” of trade barriers, cultural blockades and a “fading” Welsh presence in EU relations, Senedd committees have warned.

Delyth Jewell led an “unprecedented” cross-committee inquiry which found “unanimous” agreement from witnesses that the UK-EU trade deal has not benefited Wales.

The Plaid Cymru politician warned the Welsh Government was not informed of UK priorities in advance, leaving Wales with a “diminishing voice” and no “seat at the table”.

Ms Jewell, who chairs the Senedd’s culture and international relations committee, criticised UK ministers for refusing to give evidence to the inquiry or share their EU priorities.

She told the Senedd: “This is a moment for ambition and for Wales not to be a mere passive observer in the processes that happen.

“We must take an active role in shaping outcomes that matter to our culture, our economy, our environment, our communities.”

Turning to the impact on culture, she said: “Touring artists, creative professionals and cultural organisations face barriers that were unimaginable before Brexit, barriers that restrict mobility, increase costs and diminish Wales’s cultural presence on the international stage.

“The evidence is stark – current arrangements for touring are described as unworkable.”

The debate heard the economic impact has been severe – with the EU remaining the biggest trading partner, accounting for 47% (or £17.6bn) of Wales’ total trade in goods.

Hannah Blythyn, for the economy committee, said 90% of businesses are still dealing with challenges, including increased bureaucracy, costs, time, and supply chain disruption.

The ex-minister said: “According to committee witnesses, processes cause extreme levels of cost, administration, complications and loss, intense annoyance, and are hugely frustrating.”

Ms Blythyn, who is the Labour Senedd Member for Delyn, criticised the Welsh Government for rejecting calls to produce its own detailed impact assessment of the trade agreement.

She pointed out that such documents had been produced for trade deals with “Wales’ smaller trading partners, but not its largest to date”.

The report’s criticism was not limited to trade. Llŷr Gruffydd, chair of the climate committee, warned Wales has had a glaring environmental governance gap since the UK left the EU.

The Plaid Cymru politician expressed concerns about the UK-EU trade and cooperation agreement (TCA) containing no dedicated chapter on environment and climate cooperation.

Meanwhile, Mike Hedges – who chairs the Senedd’s legislation committee – sounded the alarm about Wales’ diminishing voice in UK-EU relations. He criticised ministers for “not stepping in” to support Welsh organisations’ involvement.

Mr Hedges told Senedd Members the Welsh Government has not published any Wales-specific information, advice nor guidance on the TCA since 2021.

“This is incredible,” he warned during Wednesday’s (November 5) debate. “It is one of the most significant international treaties that will ever be considered by the Senedd.”

His Labour colleague Alun Davies told the Senedd he could “think of no witness… who said that Brexit had benefited Wales,” adding he was “astonished” the Welsh Government “doesn’t seem to want to set real objectives for the future”.

The criticism was echoed by Adam Price, the former Plaid Cymru leader, who said: “If I can sum it up – we are in a mess, aren’t we?”

Raising the World Trade Organisation’s first post-Brexit review of trade, Mr Price warned Wales has been “hurt the hardest” due to a reliance on exports and smaller companies.

Conservative Gareth Davies was the only speaker to defend Brexit as he challenged the premise of the committees’ report. He flatly rejected the report’s framing, stating the “debate is over” and the task is to “make Brexit work for Wales, not to re-run the arguments of 2016”.

Responding to the debate, Labour’s Rebecca Evans said the Welsh Government was focused on ensuring Wales’ distinct priorities are represented in UK-EU talks.

Wales’ economy secretary welcomed a “new, more positive direction” in EU relations but insisted it remains “vital that the views of devolved nations are heard”.

A PIONEERING environmental project in Pembrokeshire aims to capture up to 250 million litres of additional groundwater each year, as local farmers take collective action to tackle flooding, drought and water quality challenges.

The initiative brings together 21 dairy farmers, all members of the First Milk co-operative, in a new four-year partnership with Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages UK — both major employers in the region.

Regenerative farming to boost soil health

The project forms part of First Milk’s industry-leading regenerative farming programme, which encourages practices such as rotational grazing and increasing species diversity in grassland. These methods improve soil structure and organic content, helping land retain more water and reducing environmental damage during extreme weather.

“As extreme weather becomes more frequent, poor water systems add to the risk of flooding and drought,” said Mark Brooking, First Milk’s Chief Impact Officer. “This project supports our farmers to work with nature — improving the land, supporting biodiversity, and delivering lasting benefits to local communities.”

Across 800 hectares of farmland, the farmers are extending regenerative practices to create natural water reservoirs within the soil. By improving water infiltration and the soil’s holding capacity, they hope to make farms more resilient while protecting nearby rivers.

Understanding what’s below the surface

To establish a baseline, an agronomist has assessed more than 100 fields across the 21 farms. Nearly 50 soil samples were analysed, 650 earthworms counted as indicators of soil health, and penetrometer tests carried out to measure compaction.

Each farm has received tailored recommendations, from shallow sward slitting to deeper subsoiling, along with guidance on grazing patterns and planting deeper-rooting pasture species to maintain long-term soil structure.

Farmers are already putting the advice into practice.

“It’s made me spend time looking at issues I hadn’t given enough attention to before,” said Dan James of Gellyolau Farm near Clynderwen. William Fox, of South Astridge Farm near Tenby, added: “Understanding where compaction occurs helps me plan improvements. Anything that reduces soil compaction benefits both the farm and the environment.”

Near Puncheston, Michael Williams is using sward slitting and subsoiling in the short term while increasing grass diversity for the long term. “The assessment confirmed what I suspected — that some areas struggle in very wet or very dry conditions. It’ll be interesting to see what impact these changes have,” he said.

Protecting Pembrokeshire’s rivers

As the interventions take effect, the land will hold more water and reduce surface run-off, helping to improve water quality in the Eastern and Western Cleddau and tributaries of the River Taf.

Matthew Faulkner, Factory Manager at Nestlé Waters & Premium Beverages in Narberth, said: “We’re proud to work with First Milk farmers to improve groundwater quality and quantity here in Pembrokeshire, where our Princes Gate and Nestlé Pure Life bottling site operates.

“Water is a shared resource and a shared responsibility. Caring for it requires collaboration — and this partnership shows what can be achieved when local communities work together.”

Cover image:

First Milk’s Esther Stephens and William Fox on South Astridge Farm