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 SNP MSP for Glasgow, Bob Doris, today urged community groups in Glasgow to apply for over a quarter a million pounds of cash seized from criminals and now available to the city under the Scottish Government's Cashback for Communities scheme.
The new money was announced today (Thursday 15 July) and will be administered through YouthLink Scotland, the national youth work agency. Youthlink has been allocated £2.5 million to distribute over the next two years to local youth projects across Scotland in the form of grants up to a maximum of £30,000.
This represents the first portion of £6.5 million recovered earlier this year from a Russian money launderer with dealings in Scotland, which is now being invested directly back into local communities to provide free diversionary activities for young people. Announcements on use of the remaining funds will be made in coming months.
Speaking after the announcement the SNP MSP said: "This money was made by criminals who are happy to ply their evil trade on the back of the misery of others. However thanks to the efforts of the Scottish Government and our law enforcement agencies it will today be used for good. I urge groups that work with youngsters across Glasgow to apply for this cash. Most youngsters in our city are great people but it is vital to provide both positive and productive alternatives to drugs, crime and anti social behaviour. That is exactly what money from this fund can achieve. I have seen first hand the benefit that the Scottish Government's Cashback for Communities scheme can deliver having visited Royston Youth Action in the north of our city who have benefited from this fund. I would encourage everyone to apply and would be happy to offer any advice to organisations that are unsure of how to progress an application."
Kenny MacAskill MSP, the Justice Secretary, who made the announcement added: "Earlier this year I was pleased to announce £6.5 million of dirty money had been seized from a Russian criminal and today we are seeing some of that money reinvested into worthy community causes.
"CashBack for Communities delivers on our ambitions for young people but it also benefits the wider community, whether that's getting kids off street corners, getting them involved in things like volunteering or offering them the chance to give something back to their communities. The benefits to the young people are clear - and the benefits are felt in the wider community.
"To date £19.5 million has been invested in a range of free activities for young people and every penny of that is money well spent."
Jim Sweeney, Chief Executive of YouthLink Scotland, said: "YouthLink Scotland, as the National Agency for Youth Work, is delighted that the Scottish Government has agreed to enrich and increase the availability of youth work activities through Cashback for Communities. It will enable hundreds of groups and tens of thousands of young people across the country to benefit through more and better provision."
Notes:
1 The fourth phase of the YouthLink Scotland administered fund is now open and full details of how to apply can be found on the YouthLink Scotland website: http://www.youthlinkscotland.org.
2 The breakdown between local authorities is as follows:
- Aberdeen City £81,329
- Aberdeenshire £136,391
- Angus £56,256
- Argyll & Bute £53,685
- Clackmannanshire £24,305
- Dumfries & Galloway £85,465
- Dundee City £66,670
- East Ayrshire £62,590
- East Dunbartonshire £48,976
- East Lothian £45,852
- East Renfrewshire £42,694
- City of Edinburgh £177,962
- Eilean Siar £18,210
- Falkirk £69,572
- Fife £176,448
- Glasgow City £263,786
- Highland £124,636
- nverclyde £39,605
- Midlothian £38,600
- Moray £47,352
- North Ayrshire £70,540
- North Lanarkshire £153,670
- Orkney Islands £13,239
- Perth & Kinross £74,222
- Renfrewshire £77,380
- Scottish Borders £59,576
- Shetland Islands £15,800
- South Ayrshire £52,689
- South Lanarkshire £146,318
- Stirling £49,936
- West Dunbartonshire £44,180
- West Lothian £82,065
Allocated based on the following formula: 80 per cent of 10-19 year olds; 10% on number of income support claimants (to capture deprivation); 10% on population living outwith settlements of 1000+ (to capture rurality).
3 The Scottish Government's CashBack for Communities scheme is funded from the proceeds of crime. The ill-gotten gains of serious organised criminals are taken from them and reinvested in our communities to make a real difference to the lives of young people throughout Scotland. To date #19.5 million has been invested in a range of free activities for young people.
4. Across Scotland, 509 projects have so far benefited from CashBack for Communities funding through YouthLink Scotland.
5. Applications will be assessed by 32 assessment panels consisting of local authority representatives (Community Learning and Development and Community Safety in particular); the voluntary sector; and trained young people. Regional surgeries will be scheduled to allow applicants to improve their bids. The #30,000 limit is proposed on the basis of the average size of awards made in the three rounds of the previous phase. Panels will be free to make larger awards to flagship projects in their area.
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