The Early Intervention Youth Fund, launched today, will receive £22m in funding instead of £11m, which was initially promised, the Home Office has revealed.
From today, Police and Crime Commissioners in England and Wales will be able to bid for a share of the £22m fund.
The funding will be available for the next two years.
Home secretary Sajid Javid said: “Intervening early in the lives of vulnerable young people can help focus their talents on positive activities and steer them away from the dangers of serious violence.
“The fund will support groups at the heart of our communities who educate and interact with youths – and provide them with an alternative to crime.”
The government said the scheme is a key commitment in the Serious Violence Strategy, which was set up in April 2018 in response to increases in knife crime, gun crime and homicide.
Figures from the Office of National Statistics showed that in the year to March 2018, there was a 16% increase in police recorded offences involving a knife or sharp instruments.
The Home Office said it is working with key sectors like local government, education, health and social services, to tackled serious violence.
In May, the Home Office pledged £1m of funding to help charities prevent knife crime.
