Tag: Leith Chooses

LeithChooses applications close 12th October

Applications for LeithChooses 2026/27 close in less than two weeks: apply by 12th October

Constituted community groups can apply for project funding of up to £5,000, but only until 23:45 on Monday 12th October 2026, so please ensure you apply in good time. Though this deadline has been extended in the past, this is unlikely to happen this year and going forward in order to be fair to those who submit their applications on time.

As usual, projects should be new or adding new value (not continued funding of an existing service) that will be of benefit to the community in Leith. Projects should be designed to start after 31st March 2027 and run until March 2028 at the latest. This year’s theme is ‘Greater Leith Harmony’.

Apply now using our online form at edinburgh.gov.uk/applyleithchooses. If you need the application form in a different format, please contact leithchooses@edinburgh.gov.uk.

Before you start, download and read the LeithChooses guidance notes to check your project is eligible and to help you put your application together. You can also read additional guidance from Edinburgh Council and a sample application form.

Application deadline: 23:45 on 12th October 2026
Theme: Greater Leith Harmony
Online application form: edinburgh.gov.uk/applyleithchooses

Supporting documents:

Need help? Get in touch today. With the deadline so close, please email leithchooses@edinburgh.gov.uk as soon as possible so there’s time to talk through your project.

Our final online applicant information session is TODAY 30 September from 5.30pm to 6.30pm online. Register to attend

Don’t miss your chance to make a difference in Leith. We look forward to hearing your ideas for new projects.

The LeithChooses Steering Group

4 weeks to go – LeithChooses applications close 12th October

Applications for LeithChooses 2026/27 still open – but just 4 weeks left to apply!

Constituted community groups are invited to apply for project funding of up to £5,000. As usual, projects should be new or adding new value (not continued funding of an existing service) that will be of benefit to the community in Leith.

Projects should be designed to start after 31st March 2027 and run until March 2028 at the latest. The theme for this year is ‘Greater Leith Harmony’ and the deadline for applications is 12th October 2026.

We welcome your applications using our online form at:

edinburgh.gov.uk/applyleithchooses.

If you would like access to the application form in a different format, please contact leithchooses@edinburgh.gov.uk.

Be sure to also download and read the LeithChooses guidance notes, to check if your project is eligible, and to guide you in putting together your application. You can also read additional guidance from Edinburgh Council and a sample application form.

Application deadline: 23:45 on 12th October 2026
Theme: Greater Leith Harmony
Online application form: edinburgh.gov.uk/applyleithchooses

Supporting documents:

If you have any questions or would like any support with your application, please get in touch as soon as possible to allow time for discussions, by email at: leithchooses@edinburgh.gov.uk.

There’s still time to register for our final online applicant information session on 30 September 2026, 5.30pm to 6.30pm – Register to attend

We look forward to hearing your ideas for new projects.

The LeithChooses Steering Group

ELREC: Make Festive Bookmarks at Leith Library

TUESDAY 27th NOVEMBER from 4.30 – 7.30pm

#theconsiouslivingproject

Join ELREC at Leith Library ELREC, 28-30 Ferry Rd, for a festive bookmarks making workshop supported by Leith Chooses Grants!

We will be making bookmarks while enjoying tea, chats and making crafts 🎨🖌️🖍️

Register here:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/conscious-leith-crafting…

£eith Chooses this Saturday

Participatory Budgeting event: Leith Community Centre

Saturday 23rd February 12 – 3pm

There are 30 applicants to £eith Chooses – 8 for the ‘Food’ theme, and 22 for the ‘Supporting Vulnerable People’ theme. Lots of really great project ideas!

View them all here in the ‘£eith Chooses Gallery’.

Before the 23rd February

  • If you would like to come and vote, but cannot get to the Community Centre under your own steam, please let us know asap and we’ll try and arrange help for you to attend.
  • If you are bringing younger children, you may wish to book them in to the free creche (for both applicants and voters). Please get in touch to book them in, in advance (places limited – first come, first served).

Email Caroline.Lamond@edinburgh.gov.uk for either / both of the above

On the day

Come early, if you can – doors open at 12 – don’t leave it to the last minute, because:

  • it may get busy at Registration, and at the ballot boxes
  • you will want plenty time to chat to project groups on their ‘stalls’
  • there will be lovely free food on offer, but it may start to run out …
  • your kids may want to get glitter tattoos or face-painting done
  • under 8s may need help with the new ‘Kids Vote’ (for the ‘Best Stall’)…

£eith has chosen!

Leith projects share £118,000 in local Participatory Budgeting initiative 

The following projects have received a funding award following the £eith Chooses 2018 participatory budgeting initiative run by Leith’s community councils with the support of the city council:

SMALL GRANTS (up to £500) The sum awarded is what the project group applied for

Leithers Don’t Litter – Good Clean Fun – £500
CLASP Seniors Tea Party – £500
Cleaning Up Restalrig Road – £500
Help Scouts go Camping – £500
Art Outside the Police Box – £500
The Big Brunch – towards a shared vision of Childcare – £500
Family Fun Street Games and Dance – £500
See Me Portrait Project – £485
Taobh Na Pairce Film Making Workshop – £500
Choose Happiness – £475
Leith Fort Residents Community Group – £500

MEDIUM GRANTS (up to £5,000) 

Hidden Door Festival – involving the local community – £4,515
Tailor Ed Foundation – £1,959
Leith Primary Parent Council – Trim Trail – £5,000
All Together Charity Shop – Skills Training – £4,450
Leith Community Cinema – accessible screenings – £3,000
Invisible Cities – Street Barber project – £1,255
Mustard Seed – Soul Food Easter Road – £4,475
Leith Late – A Wall is a Screen – £3,500
Dr. Bells Family Centre – Summer Programme – £5,000
St. Mary’s Primary – Bike Shelter & Scooter Rack – £2,152
Leith FAB Cricket Club – all weather artificial pitch – £4,656
Beyond Gender – LGBT+ Creative Writing  – £4,038 (partial funding)

LARGE GRANTS (up to £10,000)

Leith DIY Skateparks – extending skateboarding facilities for all – £9,000
Leith Theatre Trust – Thomas Morton Hall equipment – £10,000
The Edinburgh Tool Library – accessible Leith – £9,690
Creative Electric – art and performance with various groups – £10,000
Projekt 42 – yoga, youth fitness, summer bootcamp – £9,994
Citadel Youth Centre – Citadel Connect – £8,980
Out of the Blue – Meanwhile…in Leith Hub – £9,613
Scottish Historic Buildings / Leith Heritage Trail Group – £1,223 (partial funding)

In-person card voting took place at Leith Community Centre on 3 March, and local people could also vote online voting from 3-17 March.

A face to face feedback discussion session is now being planned to facilitate interaction between participants, identify issues, share suggestions for improvement, and generate new ideas.