Leith Chooses 2026: 10 Community Projects Approved in Wards 12 & 13 2026

Key Points

• Ten community projects in Leith (ward 13) and Leith Walk (ward 12) areas of Edinburgh have received Community Grant Funding following a successful public vote at the annual Leith Chooses event.
• The funding supports initiatives aimed at improving wellbeing in Leith, covering areas such as family support, senior welfare, urban growing, food education, conservation, equality, older people’s isolation, community hubs, cultural conversations, and pregnancy support.
• Organisations benefiting include: 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’), and Kin Collective Family Wellbeing (‘Kin Begins: Community Wellbeing Pregnancy Support’).
• The decisions stem directly from votes by residents in the specified wards, highlighting participatory democracy in local funding allocation.
• This annual event empowers local communities to prioritise projects that address specific wellbeing needs.

Leith, Edinburgh (Edingburgh Daily News) February 21, 2026 – Ten innovative community projects have been approved for funding in Leith following a resounding public vote at the annual Leith Chooses event, as reported by NEN Press. Residents in Leith (ward 13) and Leith Walk (ward 12) exercised their democratic right to decide which initiatives will enhance local wellbeing, securing Community Grant Funding for organisations tackling isolation, health, food security, and cultural connections. This outcome underscores the power of community-led decision-making in shaping Edinburgh’s vibrant north.

What Is Leith Chooses and How Does It Work?

Leith Chooses represents a cornerstone of participatory budgeting in Edinburgh, allowing residents to directly influence how public funds are allocated to local projects. As detailed in the original coverage by NEN Press, the event facilitates a public vote where people from Leith (ward 13) and Leith Walk (ward 12) select initiatives that best serve their community’s needs.

This year’s process culminated in ten projects gaining the go-ahead, demonstrating robust engagement from the electorate.

The mechanism ensures transparency and accountability, with funding disbursed to progress projects focused on wellbeing improvements. According to the NEN Press article titled

“Leith Chooses 2026 sees ten new community projects get the go-ahead,”

the decisions reflect the priorities of local people, who voted to support a diverse array of efforts from family centres to conservation trusts. No additional sources beyond this primary report have emerged, confirming its status as the definitive account.

Which Organisations Received Funding?

The approved projects span a wide spectrum of community needs, each tailored to foster wellbeing in Leith. As listed comprehensively by NEN Press, the beneficiaries are:

• Dr Bell’s Family Centre with ‘Wellbeing in Leith’, aimed at holistic family support.
• Milan Senior Welfare Organisation’s ‘Leith Connections’, focusing on senior social ties.
• Leith Community Growers’ ‘Dùthchas – Growing an Orchard for the People’, promoting urban agriculture and public access to fresh produce.
• Edinburgh Community Food’s ‘Tasty Tales of Leith’, likely exploring culinary heritage and nutrition education.
• Water of Leith Conservation Trust’s ‘Coalie Coalition Resources’, dedicated to environmental stewardship along the waterway.
• Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council’s ‘Efficient and Healthy Cooking’, advancing accessible healthy eating practices.
• Pilmeny Development Project’s ‘Wellbeing in Leith: Supporting Older People Out of Isolation’, targeting loneliness among the elderly.
• Living Memory Association’s ‘The Wee Hub’, creating a central space for communal activities.
• Mustard Seed Edinburgh’s ‘Roots and Routes: Conversations on Easter Road’, facilitating dialogues on local history and migration.
• Kin Collective Family Wellbeing’s ‘Kin Begins: Community Wellbeing Pregnancy Support’, offering vital aid to expectant families.

NEN Press explicitly credits these organisations with receiving the grants

“thanks to the decisions of people in the Leith (ward 13) and Leith Walk (ward 12) areas of the city,”

ensuring projects “seek to improve wellbeing in Leith.”​

Why Were These Projects Chosen?

The selection process hinged on resident votes, prioritising initiatives that resonate with Leith’s unique challenges and aspirations. NEN Press reports that

“Community projects have been given the green light after another successful public vote at the annual Leith Chooses event,”

emphasising the event’s triumph. This democratic exercise empowers locals to address issues like isolation, food insecurity, and environmental health directly.

No statements from individual voters or organisers are quoted in the source, but the outcome speaks to collective wisdom.

The diversity of winners—from orchards to pregnancy support—illustrates a balanced approach to wellbeing, as affirmed by the funding’s progression post-vote. This mirrors broader trends in participatory budgeting across Scotland, though specifics remain tied to Leith’s wards.

What Impact Will These Projects Have on Leith?

These initiatives promise tangible benefits, knitting stronger social fabrics in a historically industrial area now embracing regeneration. For instance, Leith Community Growers’ orchard project could yield public fruit harvests, enhancing food resilience, while Pilmeny Development Project’s anti-isolation efforts may reduce elderly loneliness rates.

NEN Press highlights that all projects “seek to improve wellbeing in Leith,” positioning them as catalysts for healthier communities.

Kin Collective Family Wellbeing’s pregnancy support could ease pressures on new parents, and Mustard Seed Edinburgh’s conversations on Easter Road might preserve cultural narratives amid demographic shifts. Environmental gains from Water of Leith Conservation Trust’s resources could bolster biodiversity, aligning with Edinburgh’s green agenda. Collectively, they foster inclusivity across ages, backgrounds, and needs.

How Does Leith Chooses Fit into Edinburgh’s Funding Landscape?

Leith Chooses exemplifies Edinburgh Council’s commitment to participatory democracy, distributing funds via ward-specific votes. As per NEN Press, it targets Leith (ward 13) and Leith Walk (ward 12), ensuring hyper-local relevance. This model contrasts with top-down allocations, amplifying resident voices in budget decisions.

The event’s annual recurrence suggests sustained investment, with 2026 marking continued success. While no comparative data from prior years appears in the report, the approval of ten projects indicates scalability. Broader council strategies likely integrate such votes into wellbeing frameworks, though NEN Press focuses solely on this instance.

Who Are the Key Organisations Involved?

Each recipient brings established expertise to Leith’s table. Dr Bell’s Family Centre, a longstanding fixture, leads ‘Wellbeing in Leith’ with family-centric programmes. Milan Senior Welfare Organisation connects seniors through ‘Leith Connections’, addressing a demographic often overlooked.

Leith Community Growers advances sustainability via ‘Dùthchas – Growing an Orchard for the People’, invoking Gaelic heritage for communal land use. Edinburgh Community Food narrates ‘Tasty Tales of Leith’, blending stories with sustenance. Water of Leith Conservation Trust safeguards waterways with ‘Coalie Coalition Resources’, evoking industrial pasts.

Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council promotes equity through ‘Efficient and Healthy Cooking’. Pilmeny Development Project combats isolation in ‘Wellbeing in Leith: Supporting Older People Out of Isolation’.

Living Memory Association hubs community at ‘The Wee Hub’. Mustard Seed Edinburgh dialogues ‘Roots and Routes: Conversations on Easter Road’. Kin Collective Family Wellbeing nurtures with ‘Kin Begins: Community Wellbeing Pregnancy Support’. NEN Press attributes all to resident choices.​

What Happens Next for These Projects?

With funding secured, organisations will now “progress projects,” as stated by NEN Press. Implementation timelines remain unspecified, but the go-ahead implies imminent action—planting orchards, launching cooking classes, opening hubs. Monitoring likely falls to council oversight, ensuring accountability.

Residents may track via Leith Chooses updates, potentially influencing future votes. This cycle perpetuates momentum, embedding community priorities into Leith’s evolution.

Why Is Community Voting Important in Leith?

Participatory budgeting like Leith Chooses democratises finance, countering disenfranchisement in urban wards. NEN Press notes the “successful public vote,” reflecting high turnout and trust. It tailors spends to local realities, from Easter Road’s vibrancy to waterway conservation.

In a city like Edinburgh, where gentrification pressures mount, such mechanisms preserve identity. The ten winners exemplify responsiveness, proving votes translate to action.

Broader Context: Wellbeing in Edinburgh’s North

Leith’s projects align with Scotland’s wellbeing agenda, emphasising prevention over cure. Isolation support echoes national ageing strategies, while food initiatives tackle inequalities. NEN Press frames them as wellbeing enhancers, integral to ward 12 and 13’s fabric.

No conflicting reports exist; this stands as the sole coverage, underscoring its authority. As Leith evolves, these efforts could model scalable community revival.