About
CashBack for Communities is a unique Scottish Government programme which reinvests criminal assets recovered through the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) into projects delivering positive futures for our young people. The programme has strong links to the Scottish Government’s Vision for Justice in Scotland.
Since 2008, £130 million has been committed to community initiatives to improve the quality of life of young people right across Scotland. Over 2.5 million activities and opportunities for young people have been delivered so far.
The current funding phase for CashBack for Communities will run from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2026. Our 29 funded partner organisations deliver a range of trauma-informed and person-centred services and activities for young people between the ages of 10-25 that:
- Support young people most at risk of being involved in antisocial behaviour, offending or reoffending towards or into positive destinations;
- Provide person-centred support for young people, parents and families
impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences and trauma; - Support young people to improve their health, mental health and
wellbeing; - Support people, families and communities most affected by crime.
CashBack projects include diversionary youth work and longer term life-changing intervention projects. The activities are designed to support young people to turn their lives around and offer opportunities to move into employment, education or volunteering.
Partners deliver projects within six broad themes of work: culture, employability, mental health, mentoring, sport for change, and youth work. All partners deliver work that includes at least two of these themes.
