CashBack for Communities New Funding Webinar

CashBack for Communities is launching a new funding phase (running April 2026–March 2029) with up to £26 million to support young people aged 10 – 25 years old across Scotland.

The programme focuses on early intervention, offering safe spaces, positive activities, and holistic support for those facing significant challenges, or at risk of offending. It also aims to help young people already in conflict with the law to reflect and build a better future. By strengthening community ties, the aim is to empower youth to become leaders and positive influences.

CashBack for Communities is a Scottish Government programme which reinvests money recovered through the Proceeds of Crime Act to strengthen communities by supporting young people. CashBack provides young people with opportunities to participate in positive activities, reducing the risk they will be drawn into antisocial or more serious criminal behaviour. This new phase will see a boost in funding available with up to £26 million to fund projects across Scotland.

2025 Key Dates

• Thursday 22 May at 10am: application guidance available
• Tuesday 20 May – Tuesday 3 June: information webinars (see below)
• Wednesday 12 June at 10am: applications open
• Thursday 7 August at 12pm: applications close

About the New Phase

This phase will focus on:

1. Providing safe spaces and suitable activities for young people to combat boredom, frustration, and isolation, which can contribute to antisocial behaviours.
2. Supporting young people to understand their own value and become positive influences and leaders within their communities.
3. Delivering holistic support for particularly vulnerable young people which includes their family or care environment. (Where a young person may have the potential to come into conflict with the law, support will be extended for family and caregivers.)
4. Offering support for young people who are already in conflict with the law to reflect on past behaviours and work towards a more positive future.

Application Support: Guidance

Application guidance will be available on Thursday 22 May 2025.

Application Support: Webinars

Registration is now open for online sessions with detailed guidance on the application process. The webinars will cover the same content, and the recording and transcript of each webinar will be shared afterwards on the CashBack for Communities website.

The next webinars take place:

• Wednesday 28 May 2025, 10am – 11am
• Tuesday 3 June 2025, 6pm – 7pm

Quotes from Supported Young People

• “I don’t believe without the project I would’ve taken these massive steps in my life to try and get away from addiction and criminality.”
• “I am now looking at college, I wouldn’t have before.”
• “Being able to get up and go out – before the support I felt completely isolated.”
• “I now have skills, I didn’t have anything before this. I feel part of something in here.”
• “I’m happier. And mum is, and everyone, we’re all getting along better because she’s able to deal with me and understanding me better.”

Further Information

For further information, including how to register for any of the information webinars, please visit the CashBack for Communities website (linked for your convenience).