Tuesday January 20th 2026
Edinburgh City Chambers
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Joe Sullivan
Edinburgh councillors have responded to a shock £15 million cut for community organisations across the country, including almost £3m in the capital.
The cuts come as part of the Scottish Government’s budget, announced earlier this week, and hit nine organisations in the city.
Organisations affected in Edinburgh include youth, community and arts groups, some of which provide aid in the most vulnerable parts of the city.
At Thursday’s finance meeting, councillors backed a Green amendment which aimed to work towards addressing the cuts.
It will see officers engage with the affected organisations to understand the impact the cuts will have on their operations.
Additionally, finance convener Mandy Watt will request a meeting with the Finance Secretary to express concern over the impacts on vulnerable communities in Edinburgh.
Green councillor and finance spokesperson Alex Staniforth said: “Every time we think we’ve got a handle on cuts to the third sector, some other proposal comes forward to squeeze it still further.
“The Scottish Government should reflect on whether this is the best way to save £15 million given the vital work community organisations do in the city.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Our £68 billion draft Budget for 2026-27 secures the UK’s most generous cost-of-living package and record funding of more than £22 billion for Scotland’s NHS.
“The Budget also includes a £47 million investment in community-led regeneration projects across the country and an additional £73 million for City of Edinburgh Council, compared to 2025-26.”
“This builds on a recent funding package worth up to £42 million to deliver Scotland’s largest brownfield regeneration project at Granton Waterfront over the next 20 years.”
A list of affected organisations is as follows:
About Youth, Calder Youth Action Project (part of Wester Hailes Together), City of Edinburgh, £105,822
Community Renewal Trust, Our Neighbourhood: A new hyperlocal Community Wealth Building partnership, City of Edinburgh, £300,732
Dr. Bell’s Family Centre, Start Well, Live Well: Wellbeing Support for Families in Leith, City of Edinburgh, £348,067
Edinburgh Food Social Cic, Changing Craigmillar Food Culture, City of Edinburgh, £325,847
Fresh Start, Fresh Connections, City of Edinburgh, £280,201
North Edinburgh Arts, North Edinburgh Arts Link Up, City of Edinburgh, £331,400
Space @ The Broomhouse Hub, Together We Can, City of Edinburgh, £350,000
The Venchie Children And Young People’s Project, Family Support Service, City of Edinburgh, £208,732
Transition Edinburgh South (Scotland) Ltd, Investing in Gracemount, City of Edinburgh, £302,196
Whale, The Arts Agency, Creativity, Place and Enterprise in Wester Hailes (part of Wester Hailes Together), City of Edinburgh, £332,494
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