A £17 million fund to help some of the country’s most disadvantaged young people is now open. The cash, seized from criminals, has been committed to the next phase of CashBack funding and will be used to provide activities and opportunities across Scotland.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson (above) marked the opening of the application process with a visit to Bonnybridge Primary School to meet with some previous CashBack recipients who have been taking part in the Jump2it program.

He was joined by Johnny Bunyan, a professional basketball player for Glasgow Rocks and the Scotland international team.

Mr Matheson said: “I had a fantastic time today at my visit to Bonnybridge Primary School seeing the great work already being done under the previous phase of CashBack and hearing first-hand how much the children value the Jump2it program.

“It seems only right that even more young people across Scotland should benefit from these kinds of opportunities which is why I am extremely pleased to be able to commit such a substantial amount of funding for the unique CashBack for Communities programme.

“This money will go a long way to changing the lives of our young people and it seems only fitting that the money seized from the criminals who seek to peddle misery in some of our most disadvantaged communities is reinvested back in to those same areas.

“We remain committed to tackling inequality and this CashBack funding will offer our most disadvantaged young people the opportunity to get involved in positive activities which will raise their attainment, ambition and aspirations.”

Since 2008/09 CashBack has committed over £75 million to projects and organisations who work with young people, delivering more than 1.8 million activities and opportunities throughout the country.

More information on the CashBack for Communities programme and how you can apply can be found here:

http://www.cashbackforcommunities.org/