About Fidra

Our Vision

Sustainable societies; healthy ecosystems

Our Mission

To achieve solutions to environmental issues using the best available science working in collaboration with governments, industry and the public

Our Values

We are collaborative and evidence-based

History

Fidra is named after the Scottish island and wildlife haven, made famous by writer of Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson.

Founder, Dr Becky Gait initially brought together a group of parents and friends with a shared passion for the environment and expertise in science, public health, law, and finance.  Living by the sea they were naturally concerned about plastic pollution on local beaches and began to focus on the then little-known problem of nurdles – tiny pellets, used in the manufacture of plastic products, which wash up on our shores.

Becky formally established Fidra and the group launched The Great Nurdle Hunt in 2013 – to document nurdle pollution and engage with industry and others.  Dr Abi Entwistle and Michelle Sutherland were appointed as Trustees together with Becky and her husband, David Gait.

Fidra harnessed the concerns of people living around the Firth of Forth, highlighting the issue across Scotland and then further afield, and used an evidence-based approach to encourage and enable plastics producers, users, transporters, and trade associations to introduce best practice in plastic pellet management.

Whilst plastics pollution remains a key focus, we have grown our capacity and expanded our remit and now work on threats to the environment from pollution and habitat degradation. We are continually scoping new projects on emerging issues, working with government, industry and the public to deliver evidence-based solutions.

Fidra uses scientific evidence and research best practice to achieve positive environmental change and depends upon the talent and dedication of its team of highly skilled staff to scope and deliver its projects.

The Trustees continue to play an instrumental role in growing and shaping the organisation and are closely and actively involved in determining its strategic direction.

Funding

Fidra is an endowment funded SCIO and Scottish registered Charity. Ordinarily we are not a grant giving organisation and regret that we cannot respond to unsolicited requests for funding.

During 2020/21, however, recognising the profound impact of Covid 19 on environmental NGOs in Scotland, the UK and internationally, Fidra set up a £1 million Covid 19 Fidra Emergency Fund. The fund offered emergency grants to partners demonstrating immediate financing requirements and reduction of income streams due to Covid 19.

Fidra’s accounts are published on the OSCR website.

Working at Fidra

To realise our vision, mission, and values Fidra aims to continuously learn, improve, and adapt as an environmentally conscious employer with a commitment to provide an inclusive, equitable, diverse and welcoming workplace for all employees.