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:
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.
Councillors have agreed how the new £2m Participatory Budgeting (PB) programme will fund the local neighbourhood projects chosen by residents.
Each of the Council’s 17 electoral wards will benefit from a share of £1.7m over three years, with residents directly deciding how to spend the portion of Levy income in their local ward via a new online voting portal.
It will launch through a one-year pilot programme to test the process and identify areas for future improvements, with £20,000 available per ward in the 2026/27 financial year, followed by the remaining funds for two-year projects to take place in 2027/28 and 2028/29. The share of the fund wards receive is influenced by local need and population, with amounts going to different wards recognising where some are more deprived.
Each PB cycle will be delivered in three stages:
Idea generation: Communities and residents will express how they want the money to be spent in their ward (local plans will be considered as part of this process, where these exist).
Project proposals: Community organisations and charities will make funding applications in response to the ideas and priorities generated.
Decision-making: People can vote to decide which specific proposals residents want to see funded in their ward – residents will only be allowed to vote on projects in the ward they live in.
The final selected projects in each area will be awarded to external organisations for delivery.
Also included in the overall £2m fund is £300,000 to administer the programme, including staff time to establish and manage the process, alongside promotion and engagement activities. The programme team will work to establish partnerships with community organisations, including community councils, to deliver and champion local activity.
The initiative has been designed to empower the city’s local communities, increase civic engagement and improve Edinburgh’s neighbourhoods in a way that addresses local priorities.
The programme’s proposals have been developed by Council officers, informed by feedback from consultation with elected members and community groups. The independent Edinburgh Visitor Levy Advisory Forum has also been consulted and provided feedback and recommendations.
In accordance with the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act (2024), funds raised by the levy must be reinvested in local facilities and services substantially used by business and leisure visitors. However, participatory budgeting may also benefit residents and those who work and study in Edinburgh.
Culture and Communities Convener Margaret Graham said:“Some of our communities have already experienced and benefitted from other PB programmes in Edinburgh, but this is the biggest and first to be delivered across the whole of the city.
“We’ve specifically designed this programme to complement existing schemes, and we’re proud that residents in every ward across the city will soon benefit from an equal share of some of the funds provided by the Visitor Levy. This means visitors to Edinburgh are contributing towards local projects that benefit us all in the places we live, work and visit ourselves.
“Given the scale of the programme, we’re taking a trial approach for the first portion of funding, which will allow us to closely monitor how well the scheme runs and make improvements for future years. The proposed approach is the result of a huge amount of engagement with community groups – and I’m very pleased that this level of engagement will continue as we review and evolve the programme.
“There are going to be plenty of opportunities for people to participate and have their say on the kinds of projects they’d like to see improve their local areas.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the first sets of project ideas take shape, and how our communities engage with this process and choose to invest in their local areas so we can continue to improve every corner of our beautiful capital city.”
The levy applies to paid overnight accommodation booked after 1 October 2025, if the stay takes place from 24 July 2026 onwards. It is a 5% payment on the accommodation-only cost and applies to the first 5 nights’ stay. The scheme is projected to raise up to £50 million a year to invest in protecting, supporting and enhancing Edinburgh’s worldwide appeal as a place to visit and live.
The PB paper was heard at Culture and Communities Committee on 15 May. You can view the meeting on our webcast.
Community projects have been given the green light after another successful public vote at the annual Leith Chooses event.
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.
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.”
The Utilita Energy Hub in Leith will host part of this weekend’s Leith Chooses voting event after the lift at Newkirkgate Shopping Centre was confirmed to be out of order.
This year, the people of Leith will help decide how just over £44,000 of Edinburgh Council funding is allocated to community projects aimed at improving wellbeing across the area. Leith Chooses is a long‑running example of participatory budgeting, giving local residents a direct say in how public money is spent.
Voting Day – Saturday, 24 January 2026
Voting will take place at Leith Community Centre on Saturday, with a quiet voting hour from 11am, followed by general voting from 12pm to 3pm.
Due to the lift closure at Newkirkgate, volunteers in branded t‑shirts will be stationed throughout the area to support anyone requiring step‑free access.
Voters can either:
Access Leith Community Centre via the ramp in the Lidl car park, or
Cast their vote at the Utilita Energy Hub, located on the ground floor of Newkirkgate.
At the Utilita Energy Hub, visitors will find volunteers ready to assist, along with complimentary hot drinks, biscuits, and free energy‑saving advice.
Who can vote
Anyone aged 8 or over who lives, works, studies, or volunteers in Leith is eligible to vote. All votes will help determine which local projects receive funding to support community wellbeing.
WELLBEING IN LEITH GETS LEITHCHOOSES 2026 FUNDING BOOST
LeithChooses is delighted to announce that applications are now open for funding bids for community projects across the wider Leith area!
Organisations can apply for up to £5,000 for a project that ‘enhances well-being for Leithers’ and applications will be put to the public vote on 24th January 2026 at Leith Community Centre, Kirkgate at the much-loved LeithChooses Community Vote Day.
This year saw 11 new projects receive funding, following an exceptionally busy vote day, including a new children’s running group, summer holiday workshops for children and parents, tea dances for seniors, a playground mural and a multicultural celebration day.
LeithChooses Chair, Councillor Susan Rae, said “Many organisations from Leith have benefited from our participatory budget fund in the past, and we are excited to see what innovative projects Leith groups come up with this time, on the theme of ‘well-being in Leith’.
“LeithChooses is entering its 15th year and we never fail to be impressed by the enthusiasm and resilience of Leithers.”
“We are really excited to see what ideas come forward’ said Councillor Jack Caldwell, also on the Steering Group.
“From Newhaven to Broughton, Constitution Street to Hillside, LeithChooses has funded many groups and activities and this year should be no different.”
Sally Millar, Leith Links Community Council and Steering Group member, stressed the need to get applications in soon. “Participatory Budgeting allows communities to have a direct say in how community budgets are spent and to choose priorities for spending.
“The voting day is a great chance for organisations and the public to meet others who live, work, study or volunteer in the area. Get those applications in!”
The results are in for £eith Chooses 2024/25, and while we’re disappointed not to have secured funding this time, we are incredibly grateful for the support we received. A huge thank you to £eith Chooses, to everyone who voted for us, and to the fantastic Leith community for engaging in this important process.
We’d like to extend our congratulations to all the successful groups who will now be able to bring their projects to life:
Broughton Primary School Parent Council (partial award)
Your work makes a real difference in Leith, and we can’t wait to see the positive impact you’ll create!
Although we missed out on funding this time, we’re still passionate about launching our Youth Advisory Board, which aims to give young people a real voice in shaping Leith Festival’s activities.
We want to empower the next generation, helping them build confidence, skills, and connections through creativity and community.
What’s Next for Our Project?
We’re determined to make this vision a reality, and we’d love your help! Here’s how we plan to move forward:
Seek Alternative Funding – We’ll explore other grant opportunities, sponsorships, and partnerships to support the project. If you know of any funding sources or potential sponsors, we’d love to hear from you!
Volunteer & Collaborate – If you’re passionate about youth engagement and want to get involved, let’s talk! We welcome ideas, partnerships, and support from individuals and local businesses.
Keep the Conversation Going – We still believe in this project and will continue advocating for young people in Leith. If you have ideas or connections that could help, let’s work together!
If you’d like to support the Youth Advisory Board, please reach out to us – every bit of help counts. Together, we can make sure the next generation has a say in Leith’s future.
Please pop into the Leith Community Centre in the Kirkgate, from 12, to meet up with all sorts of fun people, and to vote for your top Leith charities/community groups.
Free refreshments, kids welcome = free face painting!
Local Edinburgh organisations receive transformational grants to expand community programmes in Lochend, Craigentinny and Restalrig.
The Ripple Project celebrated local community enterprise this weekend, distributing £10,000 of vital funding grants to support community initiatives.
Now in its third year, ‘LCR Stands Up’ is a participatory budgeting programme, which this year saw over 600 residents in the Lochend, Craigentinny and Restalrig area vote to back 6 local projects, who each received a grant of up to £2,000 each.
The grants are funded by several private donors, including Harbour Homes, who are the owners of The Ripple’s community hub in Restalrig.
This year’s chosen projects are ‘Lochend Boxing Club’, ‘Tai Chi and Tea @ Craigentinny Garden’, ‘Just Dance at Disneyland’, ‘Investing in Youth Drama’, ‘The Botanical Mural at Craigentinny Primary School’ and ‘Mindfulness for Wellbeing’.
‘LCR Stands Up’ is led by Tristan Green (above), Community Action Worker at The Ripple, who commented: ‘One of the key benefits of participatory budgeting is that our local residents have democratically chosen who receives this additional funding to enhance our community.
‘We’re proud that over the last 3 years we’ve been able to support initiatives with almost £50,000 of funding. This year’s grants will be used across a spectrum of initiatives, including those supporting greater mental health, the creation of a new mural at a local primary school, the upgrade of fitness equipment at the local boxing gym and helping 20 children go to Disneyland Paris to take part in a performing arts programme.
‘I’d like to thank all of our amazing donors and to SCDC for their continued support of The Ripple and the LCR Stands Up programme and to our local community in North East Edinburgh for their dedication in offering vital voluntary initiatives to support and enhance the lives of residents in such a challenging financial and social climate’.
For anyone looking to find out more about how to get involved in participatory budgeting or support future ‘LCR Stands Up’ campaigns, contact Tristan at Tristan.green@theripple.org.uk or visit www.rippleproject.co.uk.
Seek Alternative Funding – We’ll explore other grant opportunities, sponsorships, and partnerships to support the project. If you know of any funding sources or potential sponsors, we’d love to hear from you!
