Cash Back for communities has pledged to give over £600,000 seized from criminals, to fund projects for youth across Scotland.
The government initiative, which works under the Proceeds of Crime Acts, and uses money taken from criminals to fund government projects will give the money to youth organisations who will then use the money to put on activities for youth, particularly those ‘at risk’ of becoming deviants.
The project, which has been running for nearly a decade, has recovered £75 million, and funded 1.5 million free projects for youth including sporting activities, grant schemes and arts and cultural activities.
Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said: “Investing in our young people is always money well spent and I am delighted that the Scottish Government’s Cashback for Communities programme is providing this valuable funding for worthy projects across Scotland.
“This Government is committed to ensuring young people reach their full potential. The vast majority of them are a credit to society, but we want to prevent the small minority getting involved in crime or anti-social behaviour in the first place.
“Scotland’s unique CashBack for Communities programme invests monies seized from criminals back into our communities. Since 2008, we’ve committed £75 million community initiatives right across the country, improving lives and helping Scotland prosper.”
