Blog: Reflecting on phase one of the Innovation and Collaboration Fund

Launched earlier this year, Adnodd’s Innovation and Collaboration Fund aims to spark bold ideas and encourage new ways of thinking about educational resources in Wales. Each of the ten successful projects received £5,000 to explore how inclusive, bilingual, and imaginative resources could be developed to support the Curriculum for Wales.

Each of the selected projects aligns with national priorities, including literacy, equity and anti-racism, and wellbeing, along with a shared commitment to creativity, co-creation, and collaboration. From digital tools and immersive storytelling to community-led workshops and emotional literacy resources, the projects reflect the breadth of innovation happening in education across Wales.

What the projects achieved

Following the end of phase one, each project submitted a reflective report on what it had achieved. Here’s a summary for each project:

Science Belongs to Everyone by Zaina Aljumma, Swansea University

Bilingual science workshops for forced migrant children, fostering confidence, inclusion, and Welsh language use.The project team said:

One of the most meaningful outcomes was seeing the children’s growing sense of belonging and confidence. Small moments, such as a group of children singing Happy Birthday to a girl who had been hesitant to stay without her parent, showed how creativity, play and language can help build connection.

These experiences showed that when science, art and inclusion come together, learning can become a catalyst for both education and healing.

Navigating Belonging by Athronydd Research and Consulting

A proof-of-concept immersive experience to support boys’ emotional wellbeing and challenge stereotypes around masculinity and race. The project team said:

The main object of our exploration was to design and test a bilingual, immersive storytelling experience that allows young people to explore identity, belonging and wellbeing while giving educators a safe, engaging tool to start conversations.

Young people described the programme as ‘cool’, [and] said they would be excited to use it in school instead of traditional PSHE lessons.

The Miracles App by Connor Allen and Sugar Creative

A wellbeing app based on children’s poetry, encouraging emotional expression and bilingual creativity. The project team said:

A key discovery was how deeply Miracles connects across different aspects of wellbeing — emotional regulation, self-expression, even future career aspirations — all drawn from the poems themselves. Seeing others engage with the work, dissect it, and find their own meaning has been incredibly moving.

What next? by Wes Glei

Interactive anti-bullying films, co-developed with learners and practitioners, focused on anti-racism. The project team said:

This process of gathering grassroots intelligence from the classroom and the playground was fundamental to how we shaped our anti-racist bullying script. In the face of growing challenges to the social cohesion of our communities – challenges reflected in the sharp rise in racist bullying in our schools across Wales – we believe the resource we developed offers major community and social benefits.

Represent.me by AIMAITES Ltd

A bilingual AI resource that helps learners uncover bias in algorithms and explore equity by looking at how AI sorts and labels pictures. The project team says:

Engagement with schools provided vital insights into classroom realities, accessibility, and emotional safety. Through this process, new collaborations formed with community voices interested in representation and inclusion in technology, broadening the project’s reach and relevance.

Our exploration has empowered learners in Wales to question bias, understand equity, and see how representation shapes technology and society.

Big Play / Little Play by Yr Egin

Research into how structured and free play supports creativity and wellbeing in foundation learning. The project team said:

On a community and social level, the project gave the Yr Egin team, children and teachers chances to work together, share ideas and learn from one another, strengthening community links and promoting equality. By creating a safe and inclusive environment during play sessions, every learner had the chance to take part and enjoy rich experiences of creativity and innovation.

Story Maker by Goiawn Ltd

A digital tool enabling children to create animated stories exploring fairness, empathy, and resilience. The project team said:

The resource will give pupils the skills to understand complex global issues and nurture a sense of social justice, helping them grow into more aware and fair-minded citizens. By promoting empathy and relational understanding, the experience will help build stronger, more understanding communities that feel able to discuss difficult issues safely.

Llyfr-Gell Escape Room by the National Library of Wales

A digital escape room engaging learners with Welsh history and literacy through the story of Cwm Tryweryn.

The topic offers natural opportunities for discussions about community, identity and the environment, encouraging learners to think critically and creatively. The resource supports the aims of the Well-being of Future Generations Act — especially a vibrant culture where the Welsh language thrives, as well as nurturing a sense of responsibility on a global level.

Feel It, Say It by Hyfforddi Sioned Roberts

Bilingual emotional literacy resources to help young children name and manage their feelings. The project team said:

The purpose of this resource is to develop the emotional literacy skills of Primary age pupils. Every single user stated that the resource was easy or fairly easy to use, and almost everyone had seen an increase in the pupils’ ability to discuss their emotions after using it.

Give Space to Your Voice creates significant social value by helping young children build emotional literacy in a way that is suitable, practical and enjoyable.

Co-Create by Academy Arts

Using bilingual drama and dance to embed Welsh in everyday expressive experiences. The project team said:

One of my key discoveries was how powerful bilingual creative learning can be for engaging pupils. Seeing children switch naturally between Welsh and English through drama and movement showed that language learning can be joyful and expressive rather than forced.

The Co-Create project gave pupils the opportunity to experience Welsh as a living, expressive language, not just something used in the classroom.

What we’ve learned

This first round of the Innovation and Collaboration Fund has reinforced the value of co-creation. Giving people time and space to experiment has led to unexpected discoveries, deeper partnerships, and resources rooted in real classroom experiences.

We’ve seen how practitioner and learner feedback can directly shape development, from refining terminology and user interfaces to rethinking design and accessibility. In every case, listening closely to those who will use the resources has made them stronger, more relevant, and more impactful.

What’s next

Adnodd is reviewing the learning reports submitted by each project and we’ll share the insight with other potential or existing resource developers. Phase two funding round is underway and we’ll be awarding further funding to develop full-scale, bilingual resources for use in schools.

These next-stage resources will be free to access and aligned with Welsh Government priorities, including Cymraeg 2050, the Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan, and the Well-being of Future Generations Act.

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