Seized criminal assets support 1.4m young people to date

CashBack uses money recovered from seized criminal assets and reinvests it into communities. The funding supports young people by providing safe spaces, training and free activities that build confidence and skills, while also addressing issues that could lead to harm before they develop.

In this latest round of funding a record 51 projects will share up to £26m – bringing the total amount paid out to CashBack to £156m since it began in 2008, with more than 1.4 million young people supported so far.

New projects include Scran Academy, a catering social enterprise that runs a community café in Pilton, Edinburgh. Working with local schools, youth workers, social workers and the police, the project has been awarded funding to help young people aged 11–25 learn catering and customer service skills and gain work experience in a busy community space.

Community safety minister Siobhian Brown said: “CashBack for Communities turns the proceeds of crime into life-changing opportunities for the thousands of young people who take part in projects across Scotland every year.

“Seeing the fantastic work of Scran Academy first hand and meeting the young people benefitting from projects like this, is exactly why investment in the CashBack programme matters.

“Since 2008, CashBack has had a transformational impact on young people’s lives. This unique initiative underlines our commitment to support Scotland’s young people to live full, healthy lives and to help address some of the underlying causes of crime and antisocial behaviour in our communities.”