The short version
- The Welsh government will cease financial support for the Size of Wales charity’s tree-planting program in Uganda by March 2027, citing budgetary constraints and a need to reassess international aid strategies.
- Right-wing politicians in the Senedd celebrated the move as an end to wasteful spending, whereas left-wing parties condemned it as a retreat from global climate responsibilities and a betrayal of previous commitments.
- Officials maintain that the decision does not reflect poorly on the program’s environmental impact, which has included planting millions of trees and helping local communities mitigate landslide risks in eastern Uganda.
The Welsh government has announced it will withdraw funding for a long-standing tree-planting initiative in Uganda, marking a significant shift in its approach to international development aid. Ministers confirmed that grant support for the Size of Wales charity’s program in the Mount Elgon region will not be renewed beyond March 31, 2027. This decision comes as the Plaid Cymru-led administration prepares to publish its draft budget for the upcoming financial year, signaling a broader recalibration of how public funds are allocated both domestically and abroad.
Since 2015, Wales has contributed more than £4 million to Size of Wales, an organization dedicated to working with Indigenous communities to protect tropical forests. The current financial year includes an allocation of £350,000 for the Ugandan scheme. Government officials emphasized that the withdrawal is driven by difficult budgetary choices rather than any assessment of the charity’s performance. A spokesperson stated that while the program has successfully planted millions of trees and fostered links between Wales and Uganda, recognizing past success does not obligate indefinite funding under the same delivery model.
The initiative in eastern Uganda has reportedly resulted in the planting of 25 million trees as of 2025. Previous administrations, including those led by Labour, highlighted that these efforts helped some of the world’s poorest populations adapt to climate change and improve livelihoods. An August 2025 document from the prior government noted that the project protected local residents in the Mount Elgon area from deadly landslides. The annual cost of approximately £270,000 represented a tiny fraction—about 0.001%—of the Welsh government’s total budget in 2025, yet it became a focal point for political debate over the years.
Right-wing parties in the Senedd have welcomed the decision with enthusiasm. Helen Jenner, leader of Reform UK in Wales, described the funding as ridiculous and claimed her party had campaigned against such expenditures for years. She argued that Welsh households should no longer be subsidizing trees abroad when domestic needs remain unmet. Darren Millar, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, echoed these sentiments, calling the move long overdue. He criticized the government for spending taxpayer money on overseas vanity projects while schools and hospitals in Wales face financial strain, asserting that the devolved administration lacks responsibility for foreign affairs and should prioritize local services.
Conversely, left-wing politicians have sharply condemned the cancellation. Jane Dodds, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, labeled the decision short-sighted and accused Plaid Cymru of out-Reforming Reform by cutting international aid. She argued that tackling climate change and protecting nature are not luxuries but necessities, emphasizing that Size of Wales had built meaningful connections between the two nations. Ken Skates, leader of Welsh Labour, pointed out the irony of Plaid Cymru championing international programs while in opposition only to dismantle them upon taking power. He suggested a disconnect between the party’s rhetoric and its actions.
The government maintains that it remains committed to being an outward-looking and globally responsible nation. Officials stated they are developing a new international strategy for Wales, aiming to ensure future investments demonstrate clear impact, value for money, and tangible benefits for both Wales and its partners. The spokesperson clarified that the decision is not a judgment on the quality of work done by Size of Wales but rather a reflection of limited resources requiring prioritization. Dialogue with the charity will continue, even as financial support for this specific program concludes.
This policy shift occurs against a backdrop of broader fiscal pressures facing devolved administrations across the UK. As the Welsh government navigates tight budgets, every pound allocated to international aid is scrutinized for its domestic opportunity cost. The controversy highlights the tension between global environmental responsibilities and local service delivery, a debate that has intensified as climate change impacts become more visible. While the tree-planting scheme has achieved measurable ecological goals, its future now depends on alternative funding sources or private sector engagement rather than state subsidies.
Looking ahead, the implications of this decision extend beyond the immediate loss of £350,000 in annual funding. It sets a precedent for how future Welsh governments might approach international development, potentially signaling a retreat from direct grants to NGOs in favor of other forms of cooperation. The reaction from political opponents underscores the polarized nature of aid policy in Wales, with right-wing figures viewing it as misplaced spending and left-wing groups seeing it as an abandonment of ethical obligations. As the draft budget is released later this month, further details on how these priorities will be balanced will come into focus.
Sources behind this briefing
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- BBC Science & Environment↗Wales scraps controversial Uganda tree-planting scheme
