Delivering Regional Impact
At Cardiff Metropolitan University, we believe in turning ambition into action. As Wales moves towards a stronger, greener, and digitally connected future in line with the Welsh Government’s Programme for Government, we’re turning our academic expertise into active support for this transformation for Wales — working hand in hand with businesses, communities, and public sector organisations to equip people with the skills and innovation needed to power this much needed change.
Thanks to the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, the European Social Fund Cardiff Capital Region and our partner Councils, we’re delivering targeted initiatives in clean growth, digital skills, and business innovation. These programmes are designed to tackle key challenges—helping Wales achieve net-zero, embrace the digital revolution, and build a resilient economy.
Wales and the wider UK is on a mission to reach net-zero by 2050, but getting there requires practical, immediate action from businesses and communities. That’s where the Circular Economy Innovation Communities (CEIC) programme, comes in. We’re helping organisations rethink their business models, adopt sustainable practices, and innovate for a low-carbon future.
In a rapidly developing online world, digital skills aren’t just nice to have - they’re essential. Cardiff Metropolitan University’s Digital Technology Learning Support Network (DTLSN) is breaking down barriers to digital inclusion by providing hands-on training, tools, and support to individuals, schools, and businesses across Wales.
Well run businesses are fundamental to strong economies. Cardiff Metropolitan University’s Business Growth Programme, run by the Creative Leadership and Enterprise Centre (CLEC), is equipping entrepreneurs and SMEs in the Cardiff Capital Region with the strategic management and people development skills needed for sustainable growth.
ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre is part of Cardiff Metropolitan University. It combines technical expertise, insight and research to help build more innovative, resilient and successful food businesses.
As part of the Welsh Government’s HELIX Programme, ZERO2FIVE works with food and drink companies of all sizes and stages of growth to provide technical support, such as new product development, third party certification, global food standards compliance (including BRCGS and SALSA) and process efficiency.
The state-of-the-art facilities at ZERO2FIVE include a consumer sensory suite, four distinct food processing areas, a development kitchen and a consumer observation kitchen.
ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre’s Food and Drink Research Unit has expertise in food and drink industry focused research, consumer food safety research in the domestic setting and food safety related healthcare research.
Each year ZERO2FIVE works with over 100 food and drink companies in the south-east Wales region. These companies range in stage from start-up to some of the largest food and drink companies in Europe.
Between July 2023 and March 2025 the support provided by ZERO2FIVE and the two other food centres delivering the HELIX Programme, has contributed to the creation of188 new jobs, safeguarding of 6,131 jobs, 533 new products and an overall financial impact of £303m.
The DAPTEC project was a collaborative partnership between Cardiff Metropolitan University, Yard and Cardiff Council, transforming complex environmental data from Flat Holm Island into an interactive public installation at Techniquest, engaging communities, schools, and visitors with STEM through creative technology. Aligned with the Welsh Government’s priorities on climate and nature, stronger communities, and a more equal Wales, the project raised environmental awareness, inspired future talent, and showcased the power of cross-sector collaboration in delivering place-based innovation.
For information on ways your organisation can collaborate with Cardiff Met with a number of funded opportunities explained, please visit our Collaboration & Funding page.
The Cardiff Capital Region Academic-Industry Partnerships Programme was an exciting opportunity for high-potential businesses to unlock ambitious new growth opportunities by partnering with Academic expertise.
Led by the University of South Wales, in collaboration with Cardiff University and Cardiff Metropolitan University, the programme facilitated the development of new or improved products, services, technologies, or processes, fostering innovation and economic growth within the region via targeted funding. More information on the programme and its goals can be found by clicking here.
A range of expertise and intervention support was available across all three academic partner institutions. Projects were aligned to relevant academic centres and institutions based upon the available resource and capacity to support project delivery at that time.
PDR at Cardiff Met partnered with Ride Adapt to develop a solution via the programme that met their needs. Click here to view the case study from that programme.