Since 2018, we as an organisation, have had a rich and deepening relationship with Capital City Partnerships (CCP), the body which oversees the management of grants for City of Edinburgh Council. They have consistently funded our mentoring programmes for New Scots. As of June 2026, the funding has enabled us to support over 100 individuals, helping them to successfully pass through the mentoring programme.

Craig Dutton, Head of Contracts and Grants at CCP has worked with our organisation since the start and is one of a range of experts on hand to help us budget and manage programmes. CCP also ensures targets and outcomes are audited, he states:

 

"We have a very open and honest relationship with LINKnet which works well. We have a great ongoing partnership with them and recognise their expertise working with those from ethnic minority backgrounds."

Afaf, our longstanding Development Co-ordinator, is equally positive about Craig and the team. At the end of the second three year funding round, CCP suggested we apply for more money for mentoring. Afaf shares,

 

"The proof of the relationship is in the figures. We have been funded for 8 years now and were even asked to apply for more money. Even though targets have increased, we always exceed targets which is why the Council like us. They are nice people who are helpful and always there for us. With Craig, I’ve known him for a long time which creates a strong bond."

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Stacey Cuthbertson, a Grant Manager at CCP in the Children & Families department has been aware of our expertise or some time, but ties have grown stronger in 2025/6. We gained £25k for funding a 6-month pilot scheme to deliver ‘English for Employment’ which focuses on improving business English to further employment opportunities, read more here. Stacey has been impressed with the pilot results;

 

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"LINKnet have exceeded all targets and expectations. The target was for 30 people to start the programme but 60 were secured and two classes were needed.’ She adds, ‘What was really impressive was that there is often a drop off on such courses, but LINKnet kept 80% of participants engaged on the programme, which is very high.

They must be doing something right."

Due to the success of the pilot, we were delighted to have secured funding for a further year of ‘English for Employment’. Afaf is full of praise for the CCP partnership,

 

"Craig, Stacey and the team support us really well. They are always there to answer our queries, and we have never had an issue as a result, only good feedback.’

Stacey hopes the CCP/LinkedNet relationship will go from strength to strength,

 

"You never know what will happen but in my new role I have worked closely with them, and they are even more impressive than I thought, the work they do is amazing. LINKnet make a real impact in Edinburgh and Afaf is a superstar of a woman, she really is."

For more information about any of the classes mentioned click here.