Since the SNP Government established CashBack for Communities in 2008, projects across North Ayrshire for young people have been supported by over £2.7 million through the programme, with £192,878 being invested over 2019/20.
CashBack for Communities takes funds recovered through the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and invests them into community programmes, facilities and activities largely, thgough not exclusively, for young people at risk of turning to crime and anti-social behaviour as a way of life.
North Ayrshire youngsters have benefitted from CashBack-funded sports projects through Basketball Scotland, the Scottish Football Association, Scottish Rugby, Scottish Sports Futures. YouthLink Scotland and Youth Scotland provided other programmes assisted by this funding.
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf MSP said:
“CashBack is a unique and potentially life-transforming programme that helps expand young people’s horizons and supports them to realise their ambitions and reach their full potential.
“I am delighted to see the positive impact Phase 4 has had on our young people and look forward to building on this good work as we move to the next phase of the programme.
“Since the SNP Government launched CashBack in 2008 we have delivered more than two and a half million activities and opportunities for young people and our latest round of funding takes total investment in the scheme to more than £100 million across Scotland.”
Kenneth Gibson MSP commented:
“Phase 4 of the Cashback for Communities programme began in 2017 and finished in 2020. The aim of Phase 4 was to tackle inequalities by providing activities which raise the attainment, ambition and aspirations of disadvantaged young people.
“Of the 106,000 young people directly benefiting from Phase 4 activities, 69% were from Scotland’s most deprived areas, including here in North Ayrshire.”
ENDS
