Money seized from convicted criminals will be made more widely available to improve sports facilities for young people, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill announced today.

The move is an expansion of the CashBack for Communities scheme he announced in April. From today sports clubs and public organisations will be able to put forward applications for a share of the £2 million fund.

CashBack for Communities is aimed at offering disadvantaged young people access to sports facilities, to keep them away from crime, improve their health, and give them positive activities to engage in and succeed in.

"The devil makes work for idle hands and that is why through our CashBack for Communities scheme we are giving them the chance to try things that might normally never be available to them," MacAskill said.

"To allow our kids to be all they can be we need to have the facilities available for them. Scotland has some wonderful professional facilities but many public facilities are sadly lacking. This is an opportunity to build up not just grassroots participation in the national game but the public facilities to play it.

"Playing sports, including football, can give them something worthwhile to do and bring real benefits to their health. By using crooks' cash to improve sports facilities for our young people this Government is further boosting Scottish sport and helping to build better, healthier communities," he added.

Projects put forward by the Scottish Football Association will initially benefit, with the intention that these facilities will be available to be used for other sports. Accordingly, projects that benefit more than one club or organisation will be prioritised.

"Physical activity and sport bring substantial benefits to the health and wellbeing of people of all ages. This initiative puts the boot into criminals and their illegal gains, reinvesting the money to build better, healthier communities," added Sports Minister Stewart Maxwell.

A limit of £100,000 has been set on funding for a single project, but this is open to negotiation in "exceptional cases". Complete funding of a project is possible, but only for very important projects. The awards will be announced in January.