Justice Minister Naomi Long has opened a new funding round under the Assets Recovery Community Scheme (ARCS), which channels money seized from criminals into projects to improve community safety across Northern Ireland.

The Minister said: "ARCS has been in operation since 2012, providing a mechanism to reinvest funds recovered through confiscation orders into projects aimed at preventing crime and reducing the fear of crime. Since its inception, more than £10 million has been distributed through the scheme to a wide range of organisations.

"Organised crime gangs (OCGs) are run by ruthless individuals who build their ill-gotten wealth by exploiting people and spreading misery across our communities. Law enforcement agencies deploy asset recovery powers to confiscate criminal assets which are then used to invest in key projects through the ARCS scheme. "I have had the opportunity to visit some of the schemes which have received ARCS funding and have seen first hand the very real difference that it makes to people’s lives and the benefit to local communities in terms of preventing crime and reducing the fear of crime.

"ARCS shows how partners across criminal justice and the community and voluntary sectors are working effectively together for fairness, justice and safety."

Applications are now open for a three-year programme covering the 2027/28, 2028/29 and 2029/30 financial years. Eligible applicants include voluntary and community sector organisations, registered charities and statutory bodies delivering projects in Northern Ireland.

Projects may apply in any or all of the three years for between £5,000 and £25,000 per project, per year. Potential activities include work that tackles crime or reduces the fear of crime, supports safe and resilient communities, reinforces the message that crime does not pay, builds public confidence in the justice system, reduces reoffending, or diverts vulnerable people from criminal behaviour.