With our Cup Movement campaign well underway in Edinburgh, we want to know your thoughts on single-use cups.
Whether you live or work in Edinburgh, or just visit occasionally, we’d love to hear from you.
Our short survey should take you less than 10 minutes to complete and it will help us reduce the number of single-use cups used across Scotland.
Take the survey here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx…
Projects aiming to reduce gender inequality will benefit from the latest round of Creative Scotland’s Open Fund. 109 projects have received support in this latest round of National Lottery funding, including inclusive literature workshops and enlightening theatre work for young people.
Feminist Exchange Network (FEN) is a Glasgow-based collective of women and marginalised genders who use art and creative practice to explore how feminist economics relate to people’s everyday lived experiences.
At the heart of the FEN programme is a mobile library – a physical structure built in 2021 by artist Hannah Brackston.
Housing a growing collection of books and materials on feminist issues including economics, climate justice, health, labour and community care, the library was designed not only as a collection of resources, but as an artistic and social tool, a catalyst for conversation, collective thinking and creative response, across the communities it visits.
Over the coming months FEN will deliver a series of workshops and events for women and other marginalised genders in the local community, inviting them to explore and respond to the ideas in the library’s collection.
They will be running workshops at Romano Lav, Milk, Amina and with groups of New Scots, as well as a performance and film event as part of the Govanhill Carnival in August.
Ailie Rutherford, Artistic Director of Feminist Exchange Network said: “The funding we have received from Creative Scotland will allow us to deliver a programme of mobile library workshops, feminist exchanges and public events to bring artist-led, participatory activity to community venues across South Glasgow – creating accessible spaces to explore intersecting feminist issues relevant to local concerns such as care, health, labour, climate justice and alternative economic futures.”
I Am Not My Hair is a new dance-theatre work created for black and mixed-race girls aged 8-12 years old. The piece celebrates the history, cultural significance and creativity of black hair, highlighting both the pressures young people face to fit in and the power of embracing who they are.
Drawing on lived experience, the work responds to the lack of representation for young Black audiences in the performing arts. Through vibrant movement, music and storytelling, the piece will create a space where identity is honoured and individuality is celebrated.
The project aims to give young audiences the chance to see themselves reflected on stage, while inviting wider audiences to engage with the richness and meaning of Black hair culture, it aims to foster pride, understanding and a more inclusive artistic landscape.
Developed by Edinburgh-based French-Cameroonian musician, composer and singer-songwriter Marie-Gabrielle Koumenda, Creative Scotland funding will be used to support the development of a preview of the show, to be presented this autumn.
Multi-disciplinary artist Marie-Gabrielle Koumenda. Photo -Hen Hoose Collective.
Marie-Gabrielle Koumenda, Developer of I Am Not My Hair said: “The Open Fund will allow me to develop work that affirms Black identity and culture, and that offers joy, complexity and visibility.
“To me, this is the right moment to bring this work to the stage and that speaks directly to the experiences of Black communities, empowers young people and challenges the limited narratives traditionally seen in theatre. I want young Black and Mixed-Race girls to feel seen, valued, and understood by a wider audience.”
Matrescence is a three-month creative project from Glasgow Library of Synthesised Sound (GLOSS) co-founder and musician, Suzi Cook, exploring the profound physical and psychological shifts known as matrescence – the transition into motherhood. Drawing on her own and others’ experiences, Cook will weave their voices into layered compositions, in part inspired by communal voice traditions including Gaelic psalm singing. “I’m creating music that grows and transforms in real time,” Cook explains, “embracing chaos, paradox and tenderness – much like motherhood itself.”
Cook’s recordings will be processed through granular instruments and effects using their unpredictable textures as a metaphor for growth, surrender, and renewal. Developed over a residency of three months at GLOSS, the resulting body of work will form Cook’s first solo record to be released on her label, Full Ashram, with accompanying parallel artwork.
Part meditation on identity and interdependence and part sonic exploration of creativity within change, Matrescence marks a distinctive new contribution to Scotland’s experimental music landscape.
Musician and Gloss co-founder Suzi Cook. Photo by Lewis Cook.
Suzie Cook, Matrescence Project Lead and musician said: “The Open Fund has allowed me to create a flexible residency for myself: dedicated time to explore the themes of motherhood and matrescence, engage with the stories of other mothers and reconnect with a creative practice that necessarily quietened when I became a parent myself.
“Creativity looks and feels vastly different on the other side of becoming a mother. This residency is how I’ve finally been able to shape the time to respond to it.”
These Open Fund awards are among 109 individual grants made to artists and creative practitioners across Scotland in April 2026.
Other awards spanning artform and location in this round, include:
Commenting on April’s Open Fund awards, Paul Burns, Director of Arts at Creative Scotland said: “The latest wave of awards expertly illustrates how creatives use Open Funding to champion important themes and rights like gender equality, creating access and representation right across Scotland.
“Thanks to support from The National Lottery, these forward-thinking initiatives will connect audiences to literature, devise original dance and theatre works, and produce boundary pushing experimental music.”
You can find the full list of awards in April on our website.
Are you interested in practical advice to help save energy and money?
On Monday 8th June at 18:30, we are hosting one of Changeworks’ free Low Carbon Living sessions, offering bite-sized guidance to help with Saving Energy at Home.
The session offers:
-Home energy-saving tips
-Priority Services Register & Warm Home Discount
-Smart meters & Radio Teleswitch
-Billing concerns and how to speak to your energy supplier
-How to raise a complaint with your energy supplier
-An opportunity to ask energy advice experts questions
-Free, anonymous follow-up through a self-service call back request.
You must register for the event, and will need to include your home address as this is used to provide evidence for future charity funding:
Registering in advance is preferred, but you can sign up in person at the start of the talk.
Summer of Football at Spartans Community Foundation
Fun football festival in partnership with The Scottish FA
Friday 19th June, 3-5pm
Food provided
Free of charge, book now – https://scf.classforkids.io/term/370
We’re nearly up and running after a bit of a break!
If you’d like to get involved please do get in touch.
Summer is almost here!
We thought we would showcase some of the many amazing trips we have planned for this year!
Emails have been sent out with more information to parents/carers, more will follow on our socials soon so stay tuned!
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is inviting the public to step back in time this summer as it unveils a newly digitised and documented archive.
Created in partnership with The University of Edinburgh’s Heritage Collections, the exciting findings reveal the rich history behind one of the world’s most iconic visitor attractions, Edinburgh Zoo.
A curated selection of materials from the archive will go on display at Edinburgh Zoo from 13th –21st June 2026 as part of “Memories Week”, hosted at Lemur Lodge. The exhibition will offer visitors a rare opportunity to explore never-before-seen photos, video and documents that trace the Zoo’s journey across changing generations.
The collection dates back to the founding of RZSS in 1909 and explores the early vision of Thomas Haining Gillespie, whose ambition was to create a place where nature is protected, valued and loved. Through photographs, letters, maps and original papers, the archive captures the wildlife conservation charity origins, the opening of Edinburgh Zoo on 22 July 1913, and defining moments from more than 110 years ago.
As part of the exclusive week, Edinburgh Zoo is encouraging visitors and long-time supporters to visit the dedicated exhibition and share their memories. By bringing their treasured keepsakes with them there will be an opportunity to dive deeper into their personal stories and hear from staff about the history of the souvenirs.
David Field, CEO of RZSS said: “By sharing these archives wider, we are not only preserving the rich legacy of Edinburgh Zoo but inviting people to become part of it, learn more about how it all began and leave inspired about its exciting future.
“Visitors have grown up with Edinburgh Zoo as part of their lives, and we want to capture their memories and personal connections. Memories Week is all about celebrating Edinburgh Zoo’s vast history while also helping to safeguard its future, saving wildlife and connecting people with nature.”
Daryl Green, Associate Director, Heritage Collections (Research & Curatorial) and Co-Director of the Centre for Research Collections at the University of Edinburgh added; “There has been a deep and enduring connection between the University and Edinburgh Zoo, spanning many decades.
“We are so happy to work closely with The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland to provide long-term access to the Zoo’s history, preserving the memories of the visitors, the staff and – most importantly – the animals who have shaped the last century.”
POLICE are appealing for information after a damaged vehicle was seen travelling on the A68 near Pathhead.
Around 9.35am on Saturday, 23 May, police received a report of a white Renault Clio travelling south on the A68 with damage to the front passenger side and no tyre on the front passenger side wheel.
The vehicle was later traced abandoned near the village of Crichton and enquiries have established it had previously crashed on the A6106 near a service station outside Dalkeith around 9.20am.
Constable Stewart Logan said: “Our enquiries are ongoing and I would appeal to anyone who saw the vehicle, or who witnessed the crash, to contact police.
“I would also ask anyone with dash-cam footage from the area around the time to check their footage and pass on anything of note to us.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland, quoting incident number 1240 of 23 May, 2026.
A nationwide summer programme of free and low-cost sporting activities – including football, rugby, padel, swimming, cycling and athletics – has been launched by Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth.
Backed by Scottish Government investment, as part of a £20 million fund, and administered by sportscotland, the Summer of Sport programme will give children and young people the chance to get active in their local communities through events and activities hosted by schools, clubs, sporting bodies and local authorities.
Under the campaign theme ‘Game On’, the initiative has been designed to harness inspiration from a landmark summer of international sport – including the Scotland men’s team’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals tournament and Glasgow’s hosting of the Commonwealth Games.
The Deputy First Minister officially kicked off the programme at Pollok United in Nethercraigs, Glasgow, one of the organisations benefiting from Summer of Sport investment.
This summer the First Minister will travel to Boston at World Cup organiser FIFA’s invitation to watch Scotland’s historic return to the men’s finals tournament after 28 years, in their first match against Haiti on 13 June.
Deputy First Minister Ms Gilruth said: “As Scotland approaches landmark international sporting events, our Summer of Sport initiative will harness the excitement to inspire communities across the country to get involved and get active themselves.
“This innovative programme will offer free and inclusive sporting activities for children and young people – encouraging a new generation to take part in sport and physical activity.
“As part of our wider £40 million additional funding for the 2026-27 sport budget, we are removing barriers to accessing sport and delivering sustainable opportunities for people across Scotland to be more active.
“Activities will take place throughout this summer and beyond, helping to increase participation and enable more young people to remain active long after the final whistle of this summer’s major events.”
Maureen Campbell, Chair of sportscotland, added: “This is a hugely exciting time for Scottish sport. The 2026 Summer of Sport campaign, made possible by Scottish Government investment, is a great example of what can be achieved when partners come together with a shared ambition to make sport more inclusive and accessible.
“At sportscotland, we believe that sport has the power to strengthen communities and change lives – this investment will help to do exactly that. We’re proud to play our part in helping more young people enjoy the benefits of being active as we celebrate a fantastic summer of sport.”
Scottish FA Chief Executive Ian Maxwell said: “Scotland’s participation in the FIFA World Cup will generate excitement across the country, and it is important that this inspiration translates into opportunities for people to take part in sport at all levels.
“While football will play a role in launching the Summer of Sport, the wider programme ensures that communities across Scotland can access a broad range of sports and activities throughout the summer.”
Speaking ahead of Scotland’s return to football’s biggest stage for the first time in 28 years, Scottish National Team player Craig Gordon added: “Sport can be life-changing for young people – it builds confidence, friendships and a sense of belonging.
“With such a big summer ahead for Scottish sport, it is brilliant to see investment being made to ensure children and young people across the country have real opportunities to get involved, try something new, and stay active in their local areas.”
In the 2026-27 Budget, the Scottish Government has provided a £20 million uplift to core funding for sporting organisations and an additional £20 million to create innovative and inspiring physical activity opportunities for young people across Scotland.
Investing in sport and physical activity
Find out more about the 2026 Summer of Sport
Pioneering fund announces long-term awards tackling poverty, racism and climate change across the city marking a major milestone in the ten-year commitment to community-led change.
Following an open city-wide application process, eleven organisations and collaborative partnerships have been selected to receive sustained support.
THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS ARE:
Be United;
Cables Wynd House Residents Group with Making Rights Real;
Sudanese Community Edinburgh with Edinburgh Science Foundation;
Lauriston Farm Collective;
Living Rent Edinburgh;
Migrant Justice Edinburgh (Empowering Multicultural Communities Alliance, Citizens’ Rights Project, Workers’ Observatory);
Networking Key Services Ltd;
Porty Community Energy;
Scottish BPOC Writers Network;
Sikh Sanjog;
Transition Edinburgh South with Edinburgh Community Food.
Each award will provide up to a million pounds over ten years, offering rare long-term, unrestricted funding designed to enable deep and lasting change in communities across Edinburgh.
Funding decisions were made by a Residents’ Panel made up of local people with lived experience of poverty and racism.
Projects supported include those building financial security and tackling stigma around poverty within Edinburgh’s Sikh community, supporting paid opportunities for Black creatives to address structural barriers in the arts sector, and co-designing local food and medicine production and distribution.
Other awards span a range of organisations and partnerships across the city, delivering initiatives such as advocating for improved local housing conditions, supporting community-led climate focussed activities initially within the Sudanese community, and engaging local communities around the development of heat network implementation.
Leah Black, Co-Head of the Fund, said: “Reaching this stage is hugely significant, allowing organisations and partnerships to turn long-held ambitions into long-term action.
“The Regenerative Futures Fund represents a real shift in how funding can be transformational when communities are placed at the centre.
“We are deeply grateful to all involved, and to the Residents’ Panel whose time and insight shaped every stage of this journey. In the wealthiest city in Scotland, where 17% of people – including 21% of all children – live in relative poverty, we are operating in a complex environment.
“Poverty, racism and climate change are interconnected, real and present challenges for us all, and tackling them requires long-term commitment, trust and collective action.”
Aala Ross, Co-Head of the Fund, said: “This is a landmark moment for Edinburgh. These organisations will receive long-term, unrestricted funding to support the work they are already leading in their communities.
“This has been a long, collaborative process shaped by months of dialogue and reflection across the city. This Fund is about trust, and about recognising that communities already hold the knowledge needed to create change. We will continue working alongside them and learning from them over the years ahead.”
Representatives from Migrant Justice Edinburgh said: “The Regenerative Futures Fund represents a funding approach that feels both timely and important within the current landscape.
“It offers something that remains relatively rare: long-term, 10-year support that enables organisations to think and act beyond short-term cycles. This creates the conditions for work that is strategic, adaptive, and focused on long-term change.
“Just as importantly, the Fund places strong emphasis on centring residents — particularly those most affected by poverty — and encourages an intersectional approach that recognises how poverty is shaped by racism, the climate crisis, and wider structural inequalities.”
The Residents’ Panel said: “This wasn’t just about selecting projects, it was about responsibility to the city and the future.
“We wanted to create a better Edinburgh and that has driven this work from the very beginning. We’ve seen the strength, creativity and ambition that already exists across the city, and this process was about giving groups the capacity and trust to deliver the real change we all need to see.
“It has been a real privilege to be part of something that is so grounded yet so innovative.”
The Fund is supported by a coalition of national and local funders, including charitable foundations, local authority and philanthropic partners, who pooled resources but stepped back from decision-making to place control within communities.
Those who have already committed funding towards the pooled Fund include the City of Edinburgh Council, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland, The Robertson Trust, Turn2us Edinburgh Trust, and Foundation Scotland, who also host the Fund.
Recent local philanthropic support from Tom Ward and other local philanthropists reflects growing confidence in the Fund’s approach. The Fund continues to welcome new funding partners supporting long-term, community-led change.
Giles Ruck, Chief Executive of Foundation Scotland, said: “The Regenerative Futures Fund represents something quite rare in the funding world.
“It offers long-term, collaborative funding, where those who already hold the expertise and lived experience of the issues this fund is designed to challenge, are leading.
“We need to see more of this. It puts trust in communities and gives organisations the time and flexibility they need to address complex challenges. This Fund offers a powerful alternative to short-term thinking and could influence place-based funding far beyond Edinburgh.”
Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “We’ve been clear in setting ambitious targets to address poverty, reach net zero by 2030 and to tackle racist rhetoric in Edinburgh.
“This significant support will help us to move closer to our goals while backing grassroots projects and organisations which are already make a real difference across the city, selected by the people who live here.
“The challenges we face are real – that 17% of our residents still live in relative poverty is simply unacceptable, while people continue to face racism and exclusion, all while the climate crisis looms large. This funding will provide a welcome boost to a range of organisations addressing these challenges, and I look forward to seeing more from the projects it will help to deliver.”
Over the coming months, the funded cohort will begin long-term delivery work across Edinburgh, focused on tackling the root causes of poverty, racism and climate inequality through community-led approaches.
The Regenerative Futures Fund will continue as a learning and collaboration network across the city, supporting knowledge-sharing and connection beyond the funded cohort.
A list of descriptions of the organisations and partnerships can be found here.
Some further writing about the collaboration and the connections between the organisations can be found here.
For more information visit www.regenerativefuturesfund.org.uk
