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CashBack for Communities

Since 2008, £130 million recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act has been committed to the CashBack for Communities Programme and other community initiatives. The programme has funded over 2.5 million activities and opportunities for young people.

Empowering women and girls to take the lead

This Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week, we celebrate how CashBack projects are supporting young women and girls.

Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week provides a chance to inspire and support every woman and girl in Scotland to get active. This year the theme is Leadership, and we’re celebrating the many ways women and girls can be leaders.

Empowering women and girls to take the lead

Leo’s story: “The VOW Project gave me hope and a positive role model”

Leo’s journey to cease offending and find employment demonstrates the value of peer support.

CashBack VOW Project is delivered by Police Scotland and Aid & Abet.

Here’s a look at how transformative this project has been for one young participant.

Leo’s story: “The VOW Project gave me hope and a positive role model”

"If it wasn't for the support I probably wouldn't be working"

One young person’s journey participating in the CashBack Passport project at HMYOI Polmont and in the community.

The Access to Industry project engages young people aged 16-25 in custody prior to liberation, and on a community outreach basis, to build on their employability skills.

Read on to hear about S’s experience of the project and his journey into work.

"If it wasn't for the support I probably wouldn't be working"

Partner Learning Day demonstrates the benefits of working together

On Wednesday 19 June, CashBack-funded partner organisations came together in Edinburgh to learn, share, and collaborate.

The event was an opportunity to reflect on learning and challenges over the first year of the current funding period (April 2023-March 2026), and to highlight success and share best practice.

Partner Learning Day demonstrates the benefits of working together

New report on how CashBack is changing lives through sport

4,600 young people say their participation in antisocial behaviour reduced after participating in a CashBack programme. Read on for the full report, and reflections on learning from the recent Power of Sport Conference in Easterhouse, Glasgow.

Sport and physical activity programmes and events can be a powerful catalyst in bringing about positive change in the lives of people and communities around wellbeing, inclusion and social cohesion.

New report on how CashBack is changing lives through sport

Young person's mental health improved through CashBack creative sessions

Creative Practitioner Jo shares the impact of the Connecting Through Creativity project on a young person’s mental health and wellbeing.

CashBack – Connecting Through Creativity is delivered by Avenue Confidential. The project uses creative activities and art to enable children and young people aged 10-25 to explore a range of issues including trust, relationship building, emotional literacy, and positive ways to work through difficult feelings.

In support of #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, here’s a snapshot of the impact this project can have for a young person’s mental health.

Young person's mental health improved through CashBack creative sessions

‘I am always finding new goals to work towards’

An autistic young person participating in the Moving Forward+ project shares her experience.

Moving Forward+ with CashBack is delivered by the National Autistic Society (NAS). It is for autistic children and young people aged 10-15 who have stopped engaging with school or been excluded, or those aged 16-25 who are not in education, employment, or training.

Following on from World Autism Acceptance Week earlier this month, here’s a look at how transformative this project can be for the young people who take part.

‘I am always finding new goals to work towards’

Reach for Your Voice

Charity partners from Generation CashBack got together for a youth-led event Reach for Your Voice.

The event is themed around youth voice and the importance of young people feeling empowered to share their opinions and contribute to wider society.

 Reach for Your Voice

CashBack Phase Five Evaluation published

An independent evaluation of Phase Five of the CashBack programme published.

The programme helped thousands of young people develop their confidence, resilience, behaviour, skills, health and wellbeing, learning and employability.

CashBack Phase Five Evaluation published

Siobhian Brown MSP Visits RUTS

The Minister for Victims and Community Safety, Siobhian Brown MSP, visited the Rural & Urban Training Scheme (RUTS) on 31st January.

During the visit, the Minister spoke with Penicuik High School pupils about how the programme has helped to prepare them for work.

 Siobhian Brown MSP Visits RUTS

£20 million CashBack for Communities

More than £130 million from proceeds of crime invested to support young people to date.

Projects supporting young people are to receive up to a total of £20 million of funding recovered from the proceeds of crime.

£20 million CashBack for Communities

CashBack for Communities Impact Report for 2022/2023

CashBack for Communities Impact Report for 2022/2023

The CashBack for Communities Impact Report for 2022/2023 shows invaluable support to 28,000 young people.

CashBack for Communities Impact Report for 2022/2023

Aberdeen

Project Spend 2008-2023

£3,363,411

Activities 2008-2023

63,811

Aberdeenshire

Project Spend 2008-2023

£1,870,065

Activities 2008-2023

109,520

Angus

Project Spend 2008-2023

£1,865,442

Activities 2008-2023

49,049

Argyll and Bute

Project Spend 2008-2023

£1,001,074

Activities 2008-2023

39,138

Clackmannanshire

Project Spend 2008-2023

£1,340,054

Activities 2008-2023

33,940

Dumfries and Galloway

Project Spend 2008-2023

£2,509,006

Activities 2008-2023

77,161

Dundee

Project Spend 2008-2023

£3,789,744

Activities 2008-2023

66,969

East Ayrshire

Project Spend 2008-2023

£2,641,294

Activities 2008-2023

62,786

East Dunbartonshire

Project Spend 2008-2023

£1,050,173

Activities 2008-2023

40,547

East Lothian

Project Spend 2008-2023

£1,724,196

Activities 2008-2023

70,520

East Renfrewshire

Project Spend 2008-2023

£1,211,163

Activities 2008-2023

32,125

Edinburgh

Project Spend 2008-2023

£8,760,091

Activities 2008-2023

198,369

Eilean Siar

Project Spend 2008-2023

£1,010,913

Activities 2008-2023

12,270

Falkirk

Project Spend 2008-2023

£2,745,163

Activities 2008-2023

84,417

Fife

Project Spend 2008-2023

£4,124,198

Activities 2008-2023

142,770

Glasgow

Project Spend 2008-2023

£15,912,945

Activities 2008-2023

277,643

Highland

Project Spend 2008-2023

£3,811,782

Activities 2008-2023

113,421

Inverclyde

Project Spend 2008-2023

£2,051,753

Activities 2008-2023

44,942

Midlothian

Project Spend 2008-2023

£1,509,698

Activities 2008-2023

46,544

Moray

Project Spend 2008-2023

£1,069,520

Activities 2008-2023

33,131

North Ayrshire

Project Spend 2008-2023

£3,333,343

Activities 2008-2023

75,364

North Lanarkshire

Project Spend 2008-2023

£4,495,585

Activities 2008-2023

96,586

Orkney

Project Spend 2008-2023

£568,084

Activities 2008-2023

21,849

Perth and Kinross

Project Spend 2008-2023

£1,620,754

Activities 2008-2023

56,465

Renfrewshire

Project Spend 2008-2023

£2,615,646

Activities 2008-2023

74,664

Scottish Borders

Project Spend 2008-2023

£2,241,046

Activities 2008-2023

100,766

Shetland

Project Spend 2008-2023

£512,814

Activities 2008-2023

18,922

South Ayrshire

Project Spend 2008-2023

£1,934,715

Activities 2008-2023

80,787

South Lanarkshire

Project Spend 2008-2023

£3,235,094

Activities 2008-2023

122,614

Stirling

Project Spend 2008-2023

£1,979,755

Activities 2008-2023

64,475

West Dunbartonshire

Project Spend 2008-2023

£2,450,696

Activities 2008-2023

44,266

West Lothian

Project Spend 2008-2023

£2,429,005

Activities 2008-2023

60,058

Who we are

CashBack for Communities is a Scottish Government programme which takes funds recovered from the proceeds of crime and invests them into free activities and programmes for young people across Scotland.

Who we are

£130m

committed from the proceeds of crime

32

local authorities impacted

> 2.5m

activities provided for young people

75%

of young people from the 30% most deprived communities

Empowering women and girls to take the lead

This Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week, we celebrate how CashBack projects are supporting young women and girls. Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Week provides a chance to inspire and support every woman and girl in Scotland to get active. This year the theme is Leadership, and we’re celebrating the many ways women […]

7th October 2024

Leo’s story: “The VOW Project gave me hope and a positive role model”

Leo’s journey to cease offending and find employment demonstrates the value of peer support. CashBack VOW Project is delivered by Police Scotland and Aid & Abet. The project aims to support young people aged 16-25 who have had involvement in the criminal justice system into positive destinations. Alongside police officers and peer mentors, participants create […]

18th September 2024