The Edmiston Foundation – 2025 in review
Founded in 2019, the Edmiston Foundation was created with a clear and powerful purpose: to advocate for change. Our mission is twofold - to address the lack of diversity and inclusivity within the yachting industry by creating opportunities for underrepresented groups, and to protect the future of our oceans through effective grassroots programmes.
To advocate for change, Edmiston partners with the United Kingdom Sailing Academy (UKSA) and Conservation Collective, providing vital funding and ongoing support to initiatives that make a tangible difference within the maritime sector. This report outlines the projects and initiatives we have supported throughout 2025 and celebrates the impact of our partnerships to date.
Edmiston & UKSA
The United Kingdom Sailing Academy (UKSA) was established to open doors for young people, offering transformative water-based experiences and training for maritime careers. By removing financial and social barriers, UKSA ensures that everyone, regardless of background, can access their life-enhancing programmes.
In 2025, the Edmiston Foundation supported 286 young people across its programmes, helped by a £210,000 donation that brings our total contribution to UKSA to £900,000. Since 2020, the Foundation has now supported 1,291 young people.
Leave No Child Behind Fund
The Leave No Child Behind Fund opens the door to water-based adventures for children who might otherwise miss out. With support from the Edmiston Foundation, 170 children took part in UKSA’s programmes this year, gaining new experiences that boost confidence, independence and social skills. Alongside covering delivery, travel and participation, the fund also provides essentials such as swimwear, sunscreen, hats and hygiene products, ensuring every child arrives ready for the water.
From the programme, children reported stronger communication skills, rising by 65 percent, and a 69 percent uplift in decision-making. Teamwork saw the biggest leap at 77 percent, while self-belief increased by 74 percent. Determination climbed by 75 percent, and resilience by 69 percent. Together, these outcomes show the programme’s power to help children grow far beyond the waterline.
Maritime Futures programme
This year, 105 young people took part in UKSA’s Maritime Futures programme, supported by the Sea.Change Fund, which ensures that financial barriers never prevent disadvantaged young people from accessing maritime education. Combining practical, water-based sessions with structured classroom learning, the programme helps participants build resilience, teamwork, confidence and communication skills that benefit them both at sea and beyond.
Over the course of a rewarding week on the water, participants experience a wide range of roles within the maritime sector. The programme offers hands-on insight into areas such as water sports instruction, hospitality, deck operations, engineering, navigation and yachting, making it ideally suited to those interested in exploring maritime careers.
Cadetship & careers programmes
11 young people received career bursaries this year, providing access to Yachtmaster qualifications, water sports instructor training and our Superyacht Cadetship. Through this support, the initiative helps participants gain essential industry qualifications and unlock employment opportunities within the maritime sector. Both the Cadetship and Careers programmes are designed to guide young people from education into meaningful, sustainable careers at sea. Through Edmiston’s funding and support, 14 students are now employed in the yachting industry.
Welfare Salary
In addition to direct programme funding, the Edmiston Foundation contributes towards a dedicated welfare salary at UKSA. This ensures that every student receives holistic care and support throughout their experience, helping to nurture wellbeing alongside skill development.
Expanding access internationally
The Edmiston Foundation is also working with UKSA to support 10 disadvantaged young people from the South of France to attend the Maritime Futures Programme in Cowes. This international collaboration highlights the Foundation’s ambition to extend its positive impact beyond UK shores, helping to inspire the next generation of maritime professionals across Europe.
Edmiston & Conservation Collective
With the ocean at the heart of the yachting experience, protecting its future is a mission that defines Edmiston. Since 2022, we have partnered with the Conservation Collective, donating £218,000 to fund grassroots initiatives in some of the world’s most ecologically significant yet vulnerable regions, including the Cyclades, St Vincent & the Grenadines, the Balearic Islands and the Ionian Islands. Together, we are creating tangible impact through projects that protect endangered species, restore vital habitats and strengthen coastal communities.
Cyclades Care for Wildlife – Cyclades Preservation Fund
The Aegean Care for Wildlife programme unites four specialist organisations dedicated to protecting sea turtles, monk seals, dolphins and birds across the Cyclades. As incidents of stranded animals rise due to habitat loss and marine traffic, timely intervention has become critical.
Last year, training was delivered across Sifnos, Milos, and Santorini, creating a network of first responders equipped with rescue kits and marine wildlife first aid skills. In 2025, the programme supported the rehabilitation and release of injured animals, delivered public workshops to build awareness, and monitored causes of harm such as boat collisions and illegal bird traps, supported by a citizen science biodiversity initiative.
Sea Turtle Project – St Vincent & the Grenadines Environment Fund
Since 2022, the Sea Turtle Project has worked to protect hawksbill, leatherback and green turtles by tackling illegal poaching and safeguarding nesting beaches. With Edmiston’s support, over 20 trained community monitors now patrol key sites, and increased nesting activity has already been recorded.
The project’s success has secured local government backing and community engagement, creating long-term conservation capacity. In 2025, efforts have expanded to the island of Bequia, with new enforcement technology including night-vision cameras and in-sand microphones enhancing monitoring and patroller safety.
Calant Xarxes – Ibiza, Mallorca & Menorca Preservation Funds
In the Balearic Islands, Calant Xarxes is addressing overfishing by working directly with fishers, restaurants, and consumers to promote sustainable seafood sourcing. So far, 64 percent of local fishers (representing 250 boats) have joined the initiative, alongside 61 restaurants that have signed the Responsible Seafood Manifesto. A multilingual Sustainable Seafood Guide has also been published and distributed across the islands.
In 2025, the programme has developed a Menorca-specific sustainable fish labels and strengthened the ones Mallorca and Ibiza, as well as worked with the Balearic government to increase surveillance and reduce illegal fishing.
Ghost Net Removal – Ionian Environment Fund
Following two years of mapping and monitoring, the Ghost Net Removal initiative moved from research to action in 2025. Partnering with local fishers and dive schools, the project targets ghost net hotspots around Corfu, Lefkada and Paxos, where near-pristine Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows remain under threat.
Trained teams have conducted underwater recovery missions, and helped ensure the safe management of removed nets, supported by local authorities. To raise awareness, a cultural event was hosted to highlight the hidden dangers of ghost nets and the importance of protecting these vital habitats.
Digifish – St Vincent & the Grenadines Environment Fund
Following its success in Barbados, Digifish was expanded to St Vincent & the Grenadines. The project equips small-scale fishing boats with solar-powered tracking devices, enhancing safety while supporting conservation and enforcement efforts. By monitoring vessel activity in priority conservation zones, including no-take areas, the system provides vital data on fisheries, conch harvesting during closed seasons, and marine mammal activity following a national hunting ban.
In 2025, Edmiston’s funding enabled the installation of tracking devices on ten vessels and continued collaboration with national authorities to strengthen marine management and research.
Make a donation today
To make a donation to the Edmiston Foundation, please get in touch with our team today. To donate directly to the UKSA or the Conservation Collective, please visit their website today.