‘Inspiring’ scheme helping youngsters funded with £26m seized from criminals

Up to £26 million over the next three years will go to an “inspiring” scheme which uses cash seized from criminals to provide “life-changing opportunities” for youngsters.

Community safety minister Siobhian Brown hailed the impact of the CashBack for Communities project – which uses money recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act to provide support to children and young people at risk of becoming involved in a life of crime.

The scheme has invested £156 million since 2008, supporting 1.4 million young people across Scotland.

With the next round of funding running from 2026 to 2029, successful projects will receive cash to help them provide activities for those aged 10 to 25 – with the work also expected to tackle the underlying causes of anti-social behaviour and crime.

During a visit to a project supported by the scheme at Glasgow’s Easterhouse sport centre, Brown said: “CashBack for Communities is inspiring. It turns the proceeds of crime into life-changing opportunities for the thousands of young people who take part in projects across Scotland every year.

“Over the course of the next three years of the programme, we are providing £26 million to organisations to deliver diversionary and support work with children and young people.

“By learning new skills and boosting their confidence, it helps young people in our communities who are at risk of becoming involved in crime be diverted from that path and realise their potential.”

The minister said since the scheme was started, “more than a million young people have received support to turn their lives around, with opportunities provided into employment, education or volunteering”.

She added: “CashBack’s success is also testament to the work of law enforcement partners in disrupting organised crime groups – bringing them to justice and seizing their ill-gotten gains, using them to deliver a successful programme across the country.”