Around the country, more than 3600 young people will be helped by the first round of the CashBack for Communities small grants scheme, a £500,000 programme supporting volunteer-led community groups across the country.
CashBack for Communities is a Scottish Government project that uses funds recovered from criminal activity to support positive activities for young people.
The new pilot small grants scheme, launched earlier this year at the Scottish Scouts’ HQ near Dunfermline, is increasing the range of opportunities available to young people in Scotland by awarding money to volunteer-led community youth groups and units.
The scheme is being managed by a partnership of six national youth organisations Youth Scotland, The Scottish Council, The Scout Association, Girlguiding Scotland, Boys’ Brigade, The Girls’ Brigade in Scotland and Clubs for Young People (Scotland).Member groups of the organisations were invited to apply for grants of up to £2000 towards running programmes of quality and inclusive activities for young people.
Nearly 200 projects submitted an application and 85 successful groups-providing activities for an estimated 3650 young people-have secured a share of £82,121 following the first funding deadline.Youth Scotland chief executive Carol Downie added that the popularity of the first round of this scheme, as well as the quality of the applications, demonstrated there was a real need to support volunteer led youth provision in local communities.
“The partners are looking forward to seeing the development of more and more fantastic projects for young people as the scheme continues,” she added.
The deadlines for the next round of CashBack for Small Grants Scheme are September 1, December 1 and March 1.
Photo courtesy of Stewart Lloyd-Jones.