A leading gender equality charity in Wales has announced it will close after a “perfect storm of financial challenges”.
The board of Chwarae Teg (meaning Fair Play) announced “with extreme sadness” it had agreed its proposed closure.
The charity said it was unsuccessful in an approach to the Welsh government for a rescue package.
The Welsh government said the UK government’s “chaotic implementation” of the shared prosperity fund was “damaging key sectors” of the Welsh economy.
Sky News has approached the government in Westminster for a statement.
Chwarae Teg was founded in 1992 and says it has been working since then to make sure women in Wales can “enter the workplace, develop their skills and build rewarding careers”.
In a statement, the chair of the Chwarae Teg Board said its commercial arm, FairPlay Trading, which was set up in 2019 was put into liquidation last week.
The Wales European Funding Office (WEFO) has also informed the charity it received an historic advance payment which “must now be addressed”.
“In order to do the right thing for our staff, clients and other stakeholders, controlled closure is now our only viable option,” chair Sharon Williams said.
“We recognise this is desperately sad news for our staff, funders and clients – but above all for the women of Wales who we have been so proud to serve over so many years.”
A Welsh government spokesperson said they were “disappointed” to hear of Chwarae Teg’s closure.
“The charity has touched the lives of women across Wales, given them a voice and provided the Welsh government with the insight and evidence necessary to make strides to deliver real change,” they said.
“Sadly, this is an example of how UK government policies impact on organisations in Wales.”
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Staff have been informed of the situation and a collective redundancy consultation is under way, the charity said.
It is working with partners to see if any of its work can be continued through other agencies.