Ill-gotten gains are going to provide a better future for six Scottish youth organisations.
On a visit this week to Fordell Firs, the Scottish Scouts HQ at Dunfermline, justice secretary Kenny MacAskill announced half a million pounds in funding over the next two years under the Scottish Government’s CashBack fund.
The cash-funds seized from criminals will benefit the Boys’ Brigade, Girls’ Brigade in Scotland, Girlguiding Scotland, Scottish Council of the Scout Association, Youth Scotland and Clubs for Young People.
“This is a perfect example of bad money being used for good purposes, turning cash seized from crooks into funds supporting the work of six very deserving youth organisations,” he said.
CashBack for Communities is a diversionary activities programme for young people to develop interests and skills in an enjoyable, fulfilling, supported way.
The justice secretary said the initiative had given thousands of young people around the country access to opportunities they might not otherwise have had.
He said, “More than 100,000 young people have benefited so far. These projects demonstrate to young people there is more to life than petty crime and getting out of your head on drink and drugs.
“These six organisations have been demonstrating this for many years, doing fantastic work, often on a limited budget, getting kids off the streets and involved in positive activities.
“I’m pleased this money can be put towards more great projects to benefit young people in Scotland.
“Youth development is vitally important to the future of Scotland and this investment will allow these groups to continue their outstanding work, develop their activities in the future and benefit the wider community,” he added.
Administered by Youth Scotland, the six organisations can use their allocated funds until March 31, 2012.
Any member groups of the six organisations can apply for up to £1000 to help start-up costs of new groups and up to £2000 to those already in place to support programmes of activities.
Efforts will be made to ensure the inclusive nature of the funding by targeting areas where such bodies do not exist or where certain parts of Scotland’s youth are under-represented through such organisations.
Government figures, issued after a question by Maryhill MSP Patricia Ferguson, show the scheme has allocated £149,405 to projects in Dundee, while Fife got £261,272, Angus £65,501 and Perth £80,647.