Lorenzo Martinico

Lorenzo Martinico is the Scottish Green Party candidate in the Portobello/Craigmillar council by-election which will take place in Edinburgh on 3 September 2026.

Lorenzo is standing for election to join Green councillor Alys Mumford on the ward team of councillors for Portobello/Craigmillar.

He has been involved in community projects and the third sector since he moved to Edinburgh 12 years ago. He has been active in charities and campaigns, including in governance and leadership positions, working on cycle safety, welcoming refugees, reducing waste, fighting food poverty and climate change, LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports, tenants’ rights, and more. Lorenzo has contributed to community gardens, nature conservation and food-growing projects across the city, and is qualified in Permaculture Design.

A long-term resident of housing co-ops, Lorenzo has been advocating for the co-operative model as a solution to the housing crisis, campaigning for legislative changes at Holyrood that would support growth of the sector. Having trained as a co-operative development advisor, he now works with a number of new and established co-ops. Previously, he was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Edinburgh, working on foundational principles of computer security and digital privacy.

As a proud resident of Portobello, Lorenzo wants to support and promote the successful community ownership model that has made it one of the most vibrant areas of the city.

As a councillor, he would work with people across the ward to continue asset transfers to local communities. Successes such as the former Portobello Police Station should be repeated for key assets in other neighbourhoods. Lorenzo would ensure residents’ voices are actually listened to at City Chambers and in how upcoming regeneration funding is spent.

He wants to see a Portobello/Craigmillar ward where all residents are empowered to shape their neighbourhood’s future; where everyone feels welcome regardless of where they come from; and where everyone can swim, cycle, wheel, or walk through our blue and green spaces without fear for their safety.