OPPORTUNITY: Join the CashBack for Communities Fund Panel

Have a say in what projects supporting and benefitting young people in Scotland are funded by the CashBack for Communities Fund as part of the decision-making Panel!

Event Information:   
- For those aged 11-25 years old  
- From anywhere in Scotland 
- The Panel will meet 3 times between October and November 2025:
- 24th October, 2-5pm – Young Scot Office
- 8th & 9th November – Young Scot Office
- 20th November – 5-8pm Online

- Travel and accommodation costs paid for
- Lunch and snacks included 
- Receive 500 Young Scot Reward Points for taking part. Don’t have free membership with Young Scot yet? Sign up and access exclusive rewards and discounts! 
- Record your participation as volunteer hours with Saltire Awards 

About this opportunity  

CashBack for Communities is a Scottish Government initiative that reinvests criminal assets recovered through the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) into community programmes that benefit young people. Since 2008, up to £156m has been committed to CashBack for community initiatives to improve the quality of lives of young people right across Scotland. CashBack for Communities strengthens communities by supporting young people aged 10-25 who may be at risk of becoming involved in antisocial behaviour, offending or reoffending. The fund will continue to target young people from the most deprived areas in Scotland.

Phase 7 of CashBack for Communities will run from April 2026 to March 2029 and will have a budget of up to £26 million. The Programme will continue to invest in projects which promote safe spaces, trusted adults and a range of positive and support activities for young people, aged 10 to 25.

The Panel will have the opportunity to recommend which of the shortlisted projects will make up the final portfolio of funded projects, focusing on what might have the biggest impact on young people.
We are happy to make reasonable adjustments to help you take part based on your needs. All young people are welcome at Young Scot including those with disabilities, neurodiversity, LGBT+ and queer young people and ethnic minorities. 

We’re keen to collaborate with young people who can sometimes have more barriers to taking part in opportunities due to their personal circumstances. This includes young carers, care-experienced young people, and young people who live in low-income households.   

This application form is also available as a word document and we also accept verbal applications made using video or voice recordings. If you need any support with signing up, please contact us at YSHive@young.scot and we’ll be happy to help.   

Experience required

You don’t need any experience or knowledge to apply, we are keen to hear from young people with a variety of experiences and from all sorts of backgrounds and communities. 
This could include interactions with police or court services, interactions with justice services, those who have had experience of anti-social behaviour in their community, and the children's hearings system;
or anything else you think is relevant.
Please note: This will not negatively affect your application. CashBack for Communities is a Justice programme and your lived experience could be helpful to the panel.

Travel details

Travel and accommodation costs paid for

Restrictions

Minimum age: 11

Availability

I want to volunteer