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Applications now open for CashBack for Communities funding

The online applications portal is now open for the next funding phase from April 2026 to end of March 2029.

The next phase of funding will provide up to £26 million from April 2026 to end of March 2029. Organisations can apply for between £150,000 and £1,500,000 in CashBack for Communities funding.

Funding will close to applications at 12pm noon on Thursday 7 August.

Find out more

Applications now open for CashBack for Communities funding

£26m funding boost for CashBack for Communities

A new phase has been announced for the Scottish Government’s CashBack for Communities programme, with a significant increase in funding available.

The programme will strengthen communities across Scotland by supporting young people at risk of involvement in antisocial behaviour, offending or reoffending. The funding, which reinvests criminal assets recovered through the Proceeds of Crime Act, will provide the opportunities and the tools to support young people to make informed decisions about their future.

Funding will open to applications from Thursday 12 June and will provide up to £26 million from April 2026 to end of March 2029.

Find out more

£26m funding boost for CashBack for Communities

What does CashBack deliver in your area?

CashBack for Communities funds activities and programmes for young people across all 32 of Scotland’s local authorities.

Check out our new ‘Activities in the Area’ resources to find out what we deliver in your local authority.

They highlight the impact the programme is having with young people and their families and communities, as well as the power of local partnerships in improving lives.

What does CashBack deliver in your area?

Women in leadership: Insights for the next generation

To mark International Women’s Day, we asked women in CashBack leadership roles to share their advice for the next generation of women leaders.

We are fortunate to have many talented women in leadership roles across the CashBack programme. Whether they are managing projects, steering whole organisations, or directly influencing and guiding young people, CashBack’s women leaders are making a difference in communities across Scotland.

We’ve asked them to share what brought them to where they are today, leadership qualities they value most, and advice for the next generation of women leaders.

Women in leadership: Insights for the next generation

Improving young people’s wellbeing: Adam’s story

This Children’s Mental Health Week, we’re showcasing an example of how CashBack projects support young people to improve their wellbeing.

Improving the wellbeing of young people most at risk of involvement in the justice system is one of CashBack’s key aims. Each of our partners achieves this in some way.

In support of Children’s Mental Health Week we’re featuring an example of Bethany Christian Trust’s approach and the difference it can make. Their CashBack project is a community-based early intervention support service for young people with mental health struggles.

Take a closer look at the impact this project has had with one young participant.

Improving young people’s wellbeing: Adam’s story

Listen up: Young participants share their views on CashBack

We asked young people participating in CashBack projects to share their views on the programme.

Young people are involved in every stage of the CashBack programme – from sharing day-to-day feedback with our partner organisations to taking part in funding decisions and programme evaluation.

We asked 12 CashBack-funded projects to gather small groups of young participants to hear their views on the programme – 69 young people ultimately took part.

They told us that support that makes them feel safe and respected makes the biggest difference.

Listen up: Young participants share their views on CashBack

CashBack supported over 15,000 young people across Scotland in last year

Supporting thousands of young people most at risk of involvement with the justice system towards positive destinations.

CashBack’s 2023-24 Impact Report shows strong performance in achieving the programme’s strategic outcomes, including 7,440 young people reporting positive changes in their behaviour.

The report covers the year April 2023 to March 2024 – the first of a three year funding phase which will run from April 2023 to March 2026.

Full story

CashBack supported over 15,000 young people across Scotland in last year

Local Authorities

Aberdeen

Project spend 2008–2024

£3,634,805

Young people supported 2008–2024

37,652

Applications now open for CashBack for Communities funding

The online applications portal is now open for the next funding phase from April 2026 to end of March 2029.

£26m funding boost for CashBack for Communities

A new phase has been announced for the Scottish Government’s CashBack for Communities programme, with a significant increase in funding available.

What does CashBack deliver in your area?

CashBack for Communities funds activities and programmes for young people across all 32 of Scotland’s local authorities.

Women in leadership: Insights for the next generation

To mark International Women’s Day, we asked women in CashBack leadership roles to share their advice for the next generation of women leaders.

Improving young people’s wellbeing: Adam’s story

This Children’s Mental Health Week, we’re showcasing an example of how CashBack projects support young people to improve their wellbeing.

Listen up: Young participants share their views on CashBack

We asked young people participating in CashBack projects to share their views on the programme.

CashBack supported over 15,000 young people across Scotland in last year

Supporting thousands of young people most at risk of involvement with the justice system towards positive destinations.

Local Authorities

Aberdeen

Aberdeenshire

Angus

Argyll and Bute

Clackmannanshire

Dumfries and Galloway

Dundee

East Ayrshire

East Dunbartonshire

East Lothian

East Renfrewshire

Edinburgh

Eilean Siar

Falkirk

Fife

Glasgow

Highland

Inverclyde

Midlothian

Moray

North Ayrshire

North Lanarkshire

Orkney

Perth and Kinross

Renfrewshire

Scottish Borders

Shetland

South Ayrshire

South Lanarkshire

Stirling

West Dunbartonshire

West Lothian

CashBack Partners

Who we are

Quotes from participants

Key Statistics

£130m

32

> 1.3m

78%

News

Calum’s story: “I think about those choices more now”

Applications now open for CashBack for Communities funding