Edinburgh’s diversity is one of our city’s great strengths
We are a city of migrants; a city of sanctuary – and many people who have travelled to Edinburgh looking for a new life have gone on to contribute to our city’s story and play a part in its history.
Many have lived here for generations and some of the city’s best loved institutions are only here thanks to immigrants. We all benefit from this, and our city and its culture are all the better for it.
We want to recognise and celebrate this through our new campaign: Edinburgh is Our Home.
Background
Against the background of rising community tensions and protests at asylum hotels across the UK, councillors reaffirmed their commitment to being a welcoming city and maintaining Edinburgh’s status as an inclusive community (read more in the minutes of the Council meeting, June 2025)
Following this, the Council Leader brought a cross-party motion to the September Council meeting, which
- condemned violent protests at sites housing asylum seekers
- hit back against inflammatory language used by certain politicians and media outlets that contributed to heightened local tensions
- called for increased community cohesion efforts and safety plans
- asked for a media campaign to celebrate the positive impact of migration on our city.
Read more about the motion in the minutes of the September Council meeting.
About the campaign
We have launched ‘Edinburgh is Our Home’ to showcase and celebrate the positive contribution immigration makes to our city, while promoting
understanding- acceptance
- interest in our city’s many cultures and communities.
Throughout 2026, we will be sharing a wide variety of stories in the media and online of people who have made Edinburgh their home and are now making a welcome and positive difference to the city.
Four such people featured in our launch feature in the June edition of the Edinburgh Reporter
- Simita Kumar MSP
- Vineet Lal
- Evans Eghan
- Sabina Kadic-Mackenzie.
Saroj Lal - at the forefront of race relations
Saroj Lal was one of the first Asian women to teach in a Scottish primary school when she began her role at South Morningside Primary School in 1970. Her many successes included being at the forefront of race relations during a period of immense political and social change. She delivered anti-racism training as well as starting the first council interpreting and translating service in Edinburgh. Following her death in 2020, Saroj’s achievements in
- equality
- women’s rights
- education
- community work
have been formally recognised.
The Saroj Lal Awards were set up to continue her legacy. The winners of the fourth annual Saroj Lal Awards were announced at an awards ceremony on Thursday 11 June 2026 at the Edinburgh International Festival Hub. This year over 250 primary and secodnary pupils got involved in submitting a creative entry in three award categories
- Proud to be me
- How prejudice makes me feel
- Artivism.
Working in partnership
We are working with a range of organisation including Edinburgh Partnership, Big Hearts Foundation, Hibernian Foundation, Edinburgh New Scots Network and National Library of Scotland. If you are interested in supporting the campaign, please email communications@edinburgh.gov.uk