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.
A people and planet friendly employer
To realise our vision Fidra recognises the role we play as an employer in supporting sustainable societies. Fidra aims to be a carbon conscious employer, with a goal of minimising the environmental impact of our own work. Fidra seeks to monitor the carbon emissions of all travel and energy use and to find out the most suitable and effective way to limit the impact. Remote working policies enable flexible home working. Fidra’s office has good public transport links, and staff are encouraged to cycle or walk to work through the provision of storage and showering facilities.
Procurement policies follow reduce, reuse, repair and recycle principles. Procurement of products seeks to limit the use of chemicals with hazardous properties. Food, drink, and catering seeks to be palm oil free, Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance certified, organic, locally produced and vegetarian/vegan. Food waste is composted and used for Fidra’s wildlife garden. Kitchen facilities help all staff to reduce personal single use packaging. Our energy suppliers are ‘green’ suppliers.
Fidra aims to continuously learn, improve, and adapt as an environmentally conscious employer.
In addition to supporting active travel, flexible & home working and providing comfortable office facilities in the seaside town of North Berwick, Fidra support our employees to live healthy sustainable lifestyles to help achieve a good work life balance.
We are continually developing a range of policies to support our employees, this currently includes an employee assistance programme and generous annual leave, compassionate leave and sick leave policies. We also offer an 8% employer pension contribution. Professional development and upskilling of staff is supported by Fidra’s training policy.