The Department of Justice is inviting applications for funding from the Assets Recovery Community Scheme (ARCS).
The Assets Recovery Community Scheme (ARCS) funding is aimed at preventing crime and/or reducing the fear of crime. The scheme is open to voluntary and community sector organisations; registered charities; and statutory bodies delivering projects in community settings in Northern Ireland.
Richard Pengelly CB, Permanent Secretary at the Department of Justice said: “ARCS seeks to re-invest funding which has been confiscated from criminals, and direct it towards projects that prevent crime and/or reduce the fear of crime.
“The Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF) partners continue to use asset recovery powers to deprive criminals of their ill-gotten gains, removing profits that fund crime and helping break the cycle of criminal activity. This sends a clear signal that crime does not pay.”
ARCS allows monies received from the payment of confiscation orders, following a conviction, to fund community projects across Northern Ireland. Through this, communities and individuals are supported, addressing some of the harmful impacts from a wide range of crimes.
The scheme will run for three years and applications are invited from organisations that will run projects during all or part of that period.
Projects can bid for money in each or any of the three years and should demonstrate how their proposals would meet the essential ARCS criteria of preventing crime and/or reducing the fear of crime and how the project would directly benefit victims; communities; or the environment.
The application form and guidance notes can be found on the Department’s website at Assets Recovery Community Scheme 2024/27 Guidance notes and application form | Department of Justice (justice-ni.gov.uk)
The closing date for applications is Wednesday 31st January at 5pm.
Notes to editors:
1. The estimated budget for the scheme is approximately £400k - £500k per annum. Projects can apply for up to £25k per year; not all bids will be successful and some successful projects may be offered less than they applied for.
2. This funding will cover each of the financial years 2024/25, 2025/26 and 2026/27.
3. The scheme is not intended to fund capital projects or schemes already funded or delivered through other service providers.
4. The OCTF was established in 2000 and works to reduce the harm caused by organised crime, through multi agency partnership and to secure a safe community in Northern Ireland, where we respect the law and each other.
5. Anyone with any concerns about criminality should call the police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
6. Media enquiries should be directed to the Department of Justice press office via email at press.office@justice-ni.gov.uk.
7. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.