Engagement with policymakers and decision-makers across Wales (and the UK) has been a core element of Cymru Wledig LPIP Rural Wales’ activities over the past 18 months. Our proactive engagement strategy has ensured that the project teams’ incredible research, analysis, and policy recommendations can benefit communities by reaching those stakeholders with the power to lead change and transform lives in Rural Wales. We were particularly pleased last week to see the Senedd (Welsh Parliament)’s Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee cite the work of our Innovation Manager, Dr Siobhan Maderson, in their new report, Bringing home the harvest: Supporting the Welsh food processing industry.
After submitting written evidence to the Senedd, following its call for consultation last summer, Dr Maderson also met with representatives from the Senedd’s Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show in August 2025, where Cymru Wledig LPIP Rural Wales had a strong presence (as noted in a previous LPIP Hub blogpost). By raising the profile of the LPIP through our diverse engagement activities, we have developed positive relationships with a number of Senedd Members, committees and the central research team. This supports our policy engagement activities with the UK central government, including members of the House of Lords and Commons, with Dr Maderson meeting with Ben Lake, Member of Parliament for Ceredigion Preseli, last week. The discussion highlighted how making targeted investments in education, infrastructure and logistics can go a long way to strengthening local food system resilience, increasing employment options for our young people, and addressing the challenges of climate change.
With the Senedd elections on the horizon, we look forward to engaging further with Welsh politicians over the coming months, ensuring that those issues which most affect Rural Wales are placed high on the policy agenda. Our Cymru Wledig LPIP Rural Wales manifesto will be published imminently, and we look forward to circulating this to all political parties in Wales, providing evidence and recommendations to support future policies.
For more information, please contact lpip@aber.ac.uk
This blog was written by Rhian Curtis, Policy and Engagement Manager, Cymru Wledig LPIP Rural Wales.
Disclaimer:
The views expressed in this analysis post are those of the author and not necessarily those of City-REDI or the University of Birmingham.