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CashBack for Communities

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.

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.

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.

£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.

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

Aberdeen

Project spend 2008–2024

£205,706

Young people supported 2008–2024

1,954

Aberdeenshire

Project spend 2008–2024

£36,472

Young people supported 2008–2024

527

Angus

Project spend 2008–2024

£12,289

Young people supported 2008–2024

306

Argyll and Bute

Project spend 2008–2024

£28,185

Young people supported 2008–2024

230

Clackmannanshire

Project spend 2008–2024

£52,595

Young people supported 2008–2024

227

Dumfries and Galloway

Project spend 2008–2024

£112,475

Young people supported 2008–2024

1,008

Dundee

Project spend 2008–2024

£180,451

Young people supported 2008–2024

1,261

East Ayrshire

Project spend 2008–2024

£243,200

Young people supported 2008–2024

1,214

East Dunbartonshire

Project spend 2008–2024

£37,684

Young people supported 2008–2024

179

East Lothian

Project spend 2008–2024

£136,513

Young people supported 2008–2024

635

East Renfrewshire

Project spend 2008–2024

£67,831

Young people supported 2008–2024

364

Edinburgh

Project spend 2008–2024

£551,334

Young people supported 2008–2024

1,906

Eilean Siar

Project spend 2008–2024

£17,621

Young people supported 2008–2024

168

Falkirk

Project spend 2008–2024

£189,156

Young people supported 2008–2024

1,364

Fife

Project spend 2008–2024

£284,126

Young people supported 2008–2024

2,137

Glasgow

Project spend 2008–2024

£1,200,068

Young people supported 2008–2024

8,638

Highland

Project spend 2008–2024

£203,232

Young people supported 2008–2024

856

Inverclyde

Project spend 2008–2024

£115,817

Young people supported 2008–2024

892

Midlothian

Project spend 2008–2024

£119,405

Young people supported 2008–2024

605

Moray

Project spend 2008–2024

£81,022

Young people supported 2008–2024

320

North Ayrshire

Project spend 2008–2024

£279,822

Young people supported 2008–2024

2,031

North Lanarkshire

Project spend 2008–2024

£274,449

Young people supported 2008–2024

1,515

Orkney

Project spend 2008–2024

£20,890

Young people supported 2008–2024

193

Perth and Kinross

Project spend 2008–2024

£34,523

Young people supported 2008–2024

143

Renfrewshire

Project spend 2008–2024

£166,900

Young people supported 2008–2024

666

Scottish Borders

Project spend 2008–2024

£68,634

Young people supported 2008–2024

997

Shetland

Project spend 2008–2024

£11,947

Young people supported 2008–2024

1,363

South Ayrshire

Project spend 2008–2024

£135,109

Young people supported 2008–2024

678

South Lanarkshire

Project spend 2008–2024

£215,369

Young people supported 2008–2024

2,055

Stirling

Project spend 2008–2024

£54,738

Young people supported 2008–2024

362

West Dunbartonshire

Project spend 2008–2024

£121,858

Young people supported 2008–2024

342

West Lothian

Project spend 2008–2024

£145,232

Young people supported 2008–2024

670

Who we are

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 supported over 1.3 million children and young people.

Who we are

£130m

committed from the proceeds of crime

32

local authorities impacted

> 1.3m

young people supported

78%

of young people from the 30% most deprived communities since 2017

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. Following a busy pre-application period, the CashBack for Communities fund is now open to applications. The next phase of funding will provide up to £26 million from April 2026 to end of March 2029. Organisations […]

12th June 2025

£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, […]

7th May 2025