Leith Chooses 2026 sees ten new community projects get the go-ahead
Ten new community projects have been given the green light in the north east of the city after another successful public vote at the annual Leith Chooses event, where everyone who lives, works, volunteers, or studies in Leith was eligible to cast their ballot in the last month.
Thanks to the decisions of people in the Leith (ward 13) and Leith Walk (ward 12) areas of the city, the following organisations have received Community Grant Funding to progress projects that seek to improve wellbeing in Leith:
- Dr Bell’s Family Centre – ‘Wellbeing in Leith’
- Milan Senior Welfare Organisation – ‘Leith Connections’
- Leith Community Growers – ‘Dùthchas – Growing an Orchard for the People’
- Edinburgh Community Food – ‘Tasty Tales of Leith’
- Water of Leith Conservation Trust – ‘Coalie Coalition Resources’
- Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council – ‘Efficient and Healthy Cooking’
- Pilmeny Development Project – ‘Wellbeing in Leith: Supporting Older People Out of Isolation’
- Living Memory Association – ‘The Wee Hub’
- Mustard Seed Edinburgh – ‘Roots and Routes: Conversations on Easter Road’
- Kin Collective Family Wellbeing – ‘Kin Begins: Community Wellbeing Pregnancy Support’
From a community orchard to activity programmes tackling social isolation, this year will see the start of a variety of exciting new experiences in the area. A full description of each project can be found on the Leith Chooses website.
Culture and Communities Convener Margaret Graham said:
It’s great to see so many fantastic local projects benefitting through the Leith Chooses scheme. I look forward to seeing the difference this investment will make over the coming months.
Participatory budgeting gives residents a genuine voice and real influence over how public funds are allocated, and it has been delivering meaningful results in Leith for more than a decade.
I’m delighted that nearly £2million of income generated from the visitor levy is now going to use participatory budgeting to support activity that makes a difference for communities right across Edinburgh.
Steering Group Chair Councillor Susan Rae said:
Thank you to everyone who took part in another successful Leith Chooses. I’m really looking forward to seeing these new projects develop.
There’s a big push for Participatory Budgeting across the city of Edinburgh, and I’m just delighted to see it continue in Leith, well over a decade since it was first conceived.
Steering group volunteer member and Harbour Homes’ Placemaking & Employability Officer Rachel Hutton said:
I was truly impressed and inspired to be part of my first Leith Chooses event. The passion of local people and the commitment shown by fund applicants are remarkable — qualities that would make anyone who lives, works or volunteers in Leith proud. This is what community involvement looks like in action.
Steering Group Member Councillor Jack Caldwell said:
Once again, hundreds of people turned out to support wellbeing in Leith. Community Grant Funding continues to be vitally important for residents of all ages, and it’s great to see so many people across our neighbourhoods share so much enthusiasm for community wellbeing, and we’ll no doubt see some great projects take shape.
