Highland Welcome for CashBack for Communities Scheme

The Highland Council has welcomed news that young people in Scotland are to benefit from a new £3 million grant scheme for youth projects to be funded from the proceeds of crime. Councillor Bill Fernie, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee, was quick to applaud the announcement by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill at the launch held in the MP33 youth drop-in centre, Grant Street, Inverness.

The latest strand of the Scottish Government’s CashBack for Communities scheme will provide funding for projects which support young people involved, or at risk from violence, alcohol, drugs or antisocial behaviour as well as support for initiatives such as youth drop-in services and residential, environmental and outdoor activities including climbing walls, skate parks, mountain bikes and canoes and yachts.

This is the first time that the reinvestment of proceeds of crime money will be distributed back into every part of Scotland.  Youth organisations and projects throughout Scotland will be able to apply for a share of the money, which will be administered by YouthLink Scotland, the national youth work agency.

Councillor Fernie, said: “I am pleased that the Justice Secretary chose the Highlands to launch the CashBack scheme because it highlights that this is a Scotland-wide initiative.  The Highland Council has made a significant investment in services for young people in recent years and this additional funding will enhance services for our young people, particularly those in our most disadvantaged areas, and help secure additional opportunities for them to achieve their potential.”

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