Development Trusts Association Wales (DTA Wales) is an independent practitioner-based membership organisation promoting the work of and supporting the growing network of development trusts in Wales.
Our Vision is one of thriving and resilient communities across Wales, places of possibility where people can take control of their lives, through community enterprise, social action and community asset ownership.
Our Mission is to achieve a successful Development Trust in every community that wants one.
DTA Wales and our sister organisations across the UK subscribe to key values and principles, as part of the Development Trust Association Manifesto, which include:
Empowerment– communities must own and control their own future, through their own organisations, with their own assets and community leadership.
Mutuality– only by working together sharing skills and experiences, risks and resources can disadvantaged communities succeed.
Diversity– promoting diversity and equality within our organisation and local communities.
Independence- communities, organisations and activities must be independent of the state and private sector.
Partnership– communities and organisations must work together, not compete against each other
Sustainability– development trusts want to help create resilient and sustainable communities through well-managed economic, social, environmental and cultural regeneration. In doing so, they want to minimise or reduce their impact on the earth’s resources.
In Wales, DTA Wales were established in 2003, originally with the support of the Welsh Government, to support the network of existing development trusts in Wales. In Wales we have 38 Members, with community owned assets worth over £560 million.
Across the UK our network consists of more than 600 community owned organisations. We are part of a larger movement of community-based regeneration and enterprise network across the UK, including Locality in England, DTAS in Scotland and DTNI in Northern Ireland, dating back to the formation of the original Development Trust Association in 1992.
Find out more here or email info@dtalwales.org.uk to get in touch.