Charity registration number 1028947 (England and Wales)
RAINFOREST CONCERN
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
RAINFOREST CONCERN
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees' report | 1 - 9 |
| Statement of trustees' responsibilities | 10 |
| Independent auditor's report | 11 - 13 |
| Statement of financial activities | 14 - 15 |
| Balance sheet | 16 |
| Statement of cash flows | 17 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 18 - 34 |
RAINFOREST CONCERN
TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity's trust deed, the Charities Act 2011 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2019). Rainforest Concern is a Charity registered with the Charity Commission under Registration Number 1028947.
| Charity number | 1028947 |
|---|---|
| Trustees | A Pulido Cruz |
| M Gardner | |
| M C B Syed | |
| M van Nieuwenhuyse | |
| O Whalley | |
| N Page | |
| S Schutt | |
| Advisory board | Martin Gardner (RBG Edinburgh) |
| Dr John Hemming CMG | |
| Professor Sir Ghillean Prance FRS VMH | |
| Prof Antonio Lara | |
| Andrew Mitchell | |
| Chief executive and honorary secretary | Peter J Bennett |
| Principal address to 29th July 2025 | 66 Great Pulteney Street |
| Bath | |
| BA2 4DL | |
| Principal address from 29th July 2025 | 19 Royal Crescent |
| Bath | |
| BA1 2LT | |
| website:www.rainforestconcern.org | |
| Auditor | Begbies |
| 9 Bonhill Street | |
| London | |
| EC2A 4DJ | |
| Bankers | Barclays Plc |
| Epsom Branch | |
| PO Box 96 | |
| 82-84 High Street | |
| Epsom | |
| Surrey | |
| TK19 8BH | |
| Tridos Bank | |
| Deanery Road | |
| Bristol | |
| BS1 5AS |
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RAINFOREST CONCERN
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Solicitors - Chile Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferro DU & Uria Av. El Golf 40 Piso 20 Santiago Chile Solicitors - Ecuador Bustamante Holguín Quito Ecuador Solicitors - Costa Rica Carlos Fernandez-Alfaro San José Costa Rica
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Trustees and Organisational Structure
Rainforest Concern is a non-governmental, non-political, non-religious organisation constituted under a Trust Deed dated 15th November 1993. It is registered as a Charity with the Charity Commission.
The Trust Deed describes that there should not be less than three trustees, with no maximum number. New Trustees are appointed following formal interviews with the Trustees and the Honorary Secretary with the Board looking particularly for people with experience in conservation, scientific research and fund-raising initiatives.
The charity’s Honorary Secretary is responsible for the day to day operation of the charity and manages the staff of the charity on behalf of the Trustees.
The charity has its principal office in Bath and a wide range of partner organisations with whom it delivers its programme. The principal partner organisations are as detailed in the activities, achievements and performance.
General purpose and approach
Rainforest Concern was established in 1993 for the purpose of:
• Protecting threatened natural habitats, the biodiversity they contain and the indigenous people who depend on them for their survival.
• Researching, monitoring and restoring ecosystems to ensure their long-term conservation.
Fundamental to Rainforest Concern’s philosophy is the establishment of strong partnerships with conservation NGOs in the countries in which the charity operates. Sound local knowledge and regular communication is vital to success in the field. Over 25 years Rainforest Concern has been instrumental in helping protect over 2.2 million hectares of native forest ecosystems and the vast biodiversity they contain. It has worked with 21 partner organisations and 8 indigenous tribes in 12 different countries, Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Peru, Chile, Surinam, Costa Rica, Panama, Uganda, India, Sri Lanka and Romania. The Charity has over 2,000 members and is a member of IUCN.
The methods and activities for conservation include:
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Registration of ancestral indigenous territories and reserves.
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Creation of private reserves through land purchase.
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RAINFOREST CONCERN
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
• Support for smallholders and rural communities to gain land title, whilst helping establish alternative incomes through conservation, habitat restoration and livelihood options.
• Providing environmental education for local communities and UK schools.
• Facilitating academic research and volunteer opportunities.
Rainforest Concern is not limited to the conservation of rainforest as described in the Charity’s Trust Deed. Its principle guiding aim is protection of natural ecosystems with their dependent biodiversity and indigenous peoples. The charity aims to conserve strategically important critically endangered ecosystems (that often include rainforest). Ecosystems by nature are not separated and include a wide range of habitats across ecological gradients - inherent in watersheds, mountains, rivers and coast for example. The charity does not aim to protect single species unless they are ‘flagship’ species that facilitate the protection of habitat. Wherever possible the charity tries to help protect, restore and research to prevent fragmentation and degradation, striving for connectivity.
Decision making and operation
Rainforest Concern has a small team with only two full time staff. A small team allows us to dedicate the majority of our income directly to projects. This had allowed the charity to support conservation of significant areas of threatened ecosystems and indigenous land. Funding decisions are made with weekly meetings and constant dialogue with particularly active board of trustees. The charity is also strongly guided by the needs of partners and their adaptive management requirements whilst addressing immerging threats including logging, land invasion, mining and climate change. The trustees advise both on strategic conservation priorities and potential donors. If needed they are provided with conservation or project briefs produced by the staff. Trustees are selected for the expertise and experience that they can bring to bear, as they follow the activities and progress of the charity. They require little induction and are encouraged to work alongside and occasionally make trips to projects for capacity building. The charity seeks out local partnership with experienced teams and groups on the ground (near or adjacent to the ecosystem). The key partnership criteria are: local experience, science-based, social inclusion and the ability to work effectively without support. Over recent years the charity is seeking partnerships to develop more social and biological science based, conservation actions in light of rapid change. Staff pay and remuneration is proportional to responsibility operating in a flexible way, encouraging autonomy. The pay of the director and office manager are benchmarked against average pay levels in other comparable organisations. Volunteers and trustees can be remunerated for travel and subsistence expenses.
Specific objectives and activities
The Charity’s objectives are to protect threatened natural habitats, the biodiversity they contain and the indigenous people who still depend on them for their survival. At present the charity has 15 conservation projects in 8 countries: Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Colombia, Brazil, Costa Rica, India and Romania. The Charity works closely with local conservation organisations in these countries to protect forests threatened natural habitats. The charity's current partners include:
ADEPT (Romania),
Carpathia Foundation (Romania),
Corporación Bosques de Zapallar (Chile),
FORECOS Foundation (Chile)
Universidad Austral de Valdivia (Chile)
DECOIN (Ecuador)
Los Cedros Reserve (Ecuador)
Funcacion Cuencas de Limon (Costa Rica)
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RAINFOREST CONCERN
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Reserva Urpiano (Costa Rica)
Jaguar Rescue Center (Costa Rica)
Fundacion Entropika (Colombia),
Fundacion TierrAmar (Colombia)
Fundación Gaia Amazonas (Colombia),
Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary (India),
Tribes Alive (Brazil)
Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh (RBGE, UK)
ANIA (Peru)
Central to Rainforest Concern’s philosophy is the establishment of strong partnerships with local small yet dynamic organisations in the countries where it operates. Such long-term partnerships have repeatedly underpinned success of projects. Likewise, the charity seeks the guidance of scientists to identify research and conservation priorities and provide in-situ training.
The Charity's conservation work falls into four categories:
Conservation is central to our operations towards the protection and management of critically important ecosystems, including forested land and natural habitat to create protected reserves integrated to needs of local people. This sometimes includes the purchase of land, usually in the name of the local NGO, Rainforest Concern or the local community. The Charity places particular emphasis on the legal recognition of indigenous territory particularly in Colombia and Brazil. Particular emphasis is placed on the creation of forest corridors that connect existing protected areas thereby reducing fragmentation. This greatly assists the effectiveness of these reserves by enabling species to move freely from one to another. Reforestation or habitat restoration of degraded ecosystems (with native local provenance species) also falls into this category. The charity recognizes forest dynamics and biodiversity may require a degree of management, especially in the absence of large animals.
Programmes for alternative income generation, health and education are developed with the local communities living near the projects. These are designed to reduce the negative human impact on forests and ecosystems arising from firewood extraction and cattle ranching for example. Examples of these projects include sustainable small-scale horticulture (for example cultivation of shade grown coffee), forest products, production of handicrafts and responsible ecotourism.
Research, including ecological and biodiversity studies are encouraged. These can focus on baseline species inventory and mapping; species taxonomy and discovery; key species ecology and conservation science. European and national scientists as well as students from national and international universities have undertaken and continue to undertake research at several of our projects. Results are presented in the annual review, scientific papers and on the charity’s website.
Campaigning is essential to give a voice to indigenous communities and scientists. The charity seeks to maximize collaboration and join forces to protect critically important ecosystems and indigenous peoples. This include supporting advocacy champions for areas and people otherwise ignored.
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RAINFOREST CONCERN
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Ensuring success
The principle measure of success is the protection of threatened ecosystems; gauged by the size and strategic location of ecosystems, as well as biodiversity conservation ‘value’ (such as endemism or rarity of species/ habitats). This is dependent on income raised, where donors require the charity to direct as much income as possible to tangible conservation outcomes. The charity’s short-term aim is to delimit and protect; setting up reserves with the aim of stemming fragmentation and consolidating habits as functional landscape units in close collaboration and involvement of local people and government. The long-term aim is for ecosystem conservation to be culturally absorbed into local communities and policy, working to engage schools and regional administration for example. The charity is increasingly aware of the need to monitor reserves with mapping systems and closer dialogue with local communities, whilst the effects of climate change, plant pathogen, logging and human migration are on the increase.
Competitive grant making is not especially relevant as the charity seeks out strategic local partners that are already set-up to conserve, protect and restore land for both biodiversity and people. Grants do not require high levels of stipulated compliance and reporting. However, the charity recognises that in an environment of ever more legislative change around land protection, there is a greater need to ensure more detailed reporting and published research. The charity continues to use locally paid and pro-bono lawyers of high integrity to ensure that changes around land ownership and tax, are adjusted and adhered to for land purchase and management. No conservation land was purchased during the year.
Conservation work is undertaken either directly by the charity and their associates, or by supporting students locally with grant funding channeled through local NGO. Grants paid to projects in the year totaled £61,887 and work undertaken directly £187,465 in addition to land purchases.
The Trustees have considered the Charity’s objects and activities during the year and believe that they have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Commission.
Voluntary help
The charity has well established volunteer programmes and benefited from numerous volunteers during the year. These include groups of gap year students as well as mature volunteers who work on projects that include tree planting, trail maintenance and data collection. The charity has not provided in the accounts for an estimate of the value given by volunteers as the work they undertake, does not fall within the SORP recommendation for the valuation of gifts in kind.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Ecuador
Neblina Reserve: The reserve was expanded with the purchase of 301 hectares of forest, with most of the funding coming from The Planet Foundation, Swire 2765 and Lex Reception. The camera trap programme continued. Funding from the Cobalt Trust carried on from 2023 with baseline biodiversity research and infrastructure creation. During the research, biologists caught olinguito on camera in the reserve for the first time. We continued to support outreach projects and environmental education programmes.
Los Cedros Reserve: Rainforest Concern continued to support the reserve with their programme of community participation, capacity building, including training the rangers and holding workshops for use of camera traps, and infrastructure improvement, particularly upgrading the classroom and laboratory.
The Cuellaje Community: 2024 saw the start of a partnership with German environmental NGO, GEO Rainforest Conservation. GEO has been working in the Intag area of Ecuador for 20 years and have so far ensured the protection of 8,100 hectares of forest. With the shared objectives of protecting threatened habitat, Rainforest Concern and Geo are working together to secure 603 hectares of forest for the local community in the Intag area of northwest Ecuador.
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RAINFOREST CONCERN
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Costa Rica
Urpiano: The 2024 nesting season saw more challenges. Funding cuts meant no coastguard presence on the beach, and a new pedestrian bridge across the canal made it easier for poachers to reach the beach. The team patrolled the 4.2 km beach daily during the season and saved 87 nests (compared to 145 nests in 2022). 5,854 eggs were protected at the hatchery, and 3,349 hatchlings were released to the sea. 16 traineeships were awarded. The storm damage from the previous year was repaired.
Bosque de las Madres: Rainforest Concern, with funding from the Planet Foundation, bought 16.5 hectares of forest and legally donated to Fundacion Cuencas de Limon to be managed as a protected reserve. This is part of a wider project to increase the area of protected forest in the Bosque de las Madres biological corridor. A oneyear programme of awareness raising, training, increased co-operation with government entities and targeted surveillance started, with funding from the Cobalt Trust.
Chile
El Boldo Reserve: During 2024 there were intense rains following several years of drought resulting in at least 30 large trees falling inside Parque El Boldo. As a result, a significant portion of the year’s maintenance budget was used for clearing and repairing the trails which were severely damaged. A landslide of heavy material also destroyed the upper section of the nursery, where mature plants were growing, and it was necessary to restore the area. Regarding environmental education, two fire prevention campaigns were carried out, one of which was aimed exclusively at children. In the biological corridor, the study on Climate Refugia led by PhD Patricio Pliscoff continues and it has contributed to the positioning of this area as a conservation priority for the country. Restoration, maintenance, and the replacement of signage are ongoing in Cerro de La Cruz.
Nasampulli Reserve: During 2024, the main access road to the Reserve had to be repaired after being destroyed by the displacement of a large rock during the winter season. In addition, the entrance gate was moved and replaced by a new one to prevent the entry of cattle from neighbouring farms. Yearly maintenance work was done to the cabin and trails. To control erosion, water channels were cleaned and stabilised in slopes and other areas. Invasive plant species were removed and controlled. The invasive wasp Vespula Germánica, an invasive wasp which attacks bees, needed particular attention. During 2024 the following research activities were carried out: An extensive study of the flora of the reserve was undertaken, study on the trials in terms of changes in the soil cover and the survival of shrubs and seeds), and ongoing recording and processing of images from the camera traps. There is also a long-term weather study focusing on measuring precipitation, temperature, wind, humidity, snow depth, and river flow in the Trafampulli basin.
India
The charity supported its long-standing partner the Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary with financial support for training and employment opportunities for Adivasi youth who live close to the sanctuary.
Colombia
Colombian Ecosystems Awareness Project: The charity once again supported the excellent work of TierrAmar and the CEAP. During the year eight visits (full day lectures) were made to remote schools Zabaletas, Valle del Cauca and Arusí in the Chocó distributed 500 booklets and much of this information was added to the school curriculum. Team competitions were undertaken, town and beach litter collections took place.
Brazil
Instituto Juruá: In 2024 Rainforest Concern entered a new partnership with Instituto Juruá, a Brazilian NGO established in 2018. Instituto Juruá supports traditional River Juruá forest communities in protecting and sustainably harvesting their natural resources, chiefly arapaima fish and freshwater turtles. Their 2024/25 objectives to Rainforest Concern in November 2024: the protection of 20 freshwater turtle nesting beaches and 20 arapaima lakes. Arapaima being a huge and threatened species of freshwater fish. In December Rainforest Concern funded Instituto Juruá an initial funding to support these objectives.
Protecting the Juruá lakes and beaches in this way aligns with the charity’s objectives through protecting endangered species and pristine Amazonian habitat, whilst supporting the sustainable economic development of traditional forest communities. The charity seeks to continue to support Instituto Juruá for 2025/26.
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RAINFOREST CONCERN
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
More detailed information on these projects may be found on the Charity’s website: rainforestconcern.org
Dissemination
Traffic to the website showed a considerable increase and we continued to receive favourable comments.
The charity continues to publish four monthly on-line newsletters. Typically, these shorter editions cover four projects. A paper edition of Rainforest Review will be published in the coming year.
There was increased activity of social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, X and Instagram). Instagram having 12,600 followers.
Schools programme
The charity decided to renew its UK school programme. During the year Helen Brown, a former RC administrator, started undertaking school talks in the Winchester and Bath areas.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
As shown in the Statement of Financial Activities, the Charity’s income for 2024 showed a small increase over the previous year to £1,115,705 (2023: £1,057,111) Similarly expenditure made in the direct execution of the Charity’s objectives of direct and grant funded activities increased to £459,659 (2023: £351,590) excluding land purchases and fundraising costs.
In the pursuit of its objectives, Rainforest Concern buys land for conservation of rainforests and other threatened habitats and therefore holds title to forested land which is included in assets. Land purchased in the current year was £157,257 (2023: £352,217). Support costs amounted to £98,868 (2023: £105,031), and are apportioned as shown in the Statement of Financial Activities.
Strategic purchases of rainforest land require considerable time and negotiation and transactions may take up to a year before the deeds are transferred. Funds held by solicitors on behalf of the charity at the year-end awaiting the transfer of title deeds totalled a further £122,005. A large grant of £291,265 was received at the end of December restricted to the purpose of buying land in Ecuador which has increased restricted funds held at the year end.
Since the charity operates to achieve high conservation impact with low overhead costs, it has not expended a high percentage of resources to monitor changes in protection status of vulnerable ecosystems. Our approach has been to seek and find experienced trustworthy in-country partners with necessary ecological monitoring capacities and deep local knowledge of socio-economic conditions. However, the charity monitors carefully the expenditure and legal compliance to ensure funds are used for the conservation outcomes for which they were raised. Our trustees realise that it is incumbent upon them to look for ways to build our capacity for sciencebased monitoring and risk assessment across the gamut. Most ecosystems and rural livelihoods are being affected by climate change, and the charity is increasingly aware of the need to assess and monitor: biodiversity, flood and fire risk, change to carbon stocks, impact of human migrant, amongst others.
The Charity’s Trustees held an AGM on 6th January 2025.
Investment policy
The Trustees have the power to invest in such assets as they see fit. However, the charity’s current policy is to keep any surplus liquid funds in short-term deposits which can be accessed readily. The charity would like to improve its interest rate return however this has proved difficult when funds are often required at short notice.
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RAINFOREST CONCERN
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Risk management
The major risks to which Rainforest Concern is exposed are reviewed annually and systems have been established to mitigate those risks. Whenever possible this aspect is covered by insurance. As required the charity has Employers Liability Insurance. The charity ensures all partners, volunteers and employees are aware of the UK Bribery Act of 2010 and operate in a transparent fashion. The Trustees and staff are experienced in the countries in which the charity operates, as such partnerships are forged solely with known trustworthy organisations and individuals. All employees and volunteers are thoroughly briefed before working with overseas partners, insured before travel with immunisation updates and follow UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice. Funds are only transferred through international in-country bank branches. Land purchase funds are not transferred to the local partners/NGO’s. Funds are handled by the charity’s (often long-standing) legal representatives, and only transferred at the time of purchase. Management and project funds are transferred to partners in quarterly transfers and only through international banks. UK banking is low-risk and held in several accounts.
The charity is aware of the possibility of illegal land invasion or government expropriation, and in 25 years have not suffered in this way. The charity endeavours to reduce risk to conservation areas held or supported, by maintaining long-term dialogue with partners and an awareness to governmental policy change, instability and adjustments. As referred to, the key risk reduction strategy is to ensure that local people benefit from the establishment of conservation areas (and projects) with ecosystem services and resources. This also includes land ownership with government level land title registration and national support for conservation concessions.
Reserves policy
It is the policy of the Trustees to retain reserves equivalent to approximately one year’s operating expenditure and to cover any committed grant funding for the forthcoming year. At the year end the reserves held by the charity totalled £3,074,215. Of the total reserves held £740,860 were restricted in their use and £2,333,355 are unrestricted.
Of the unrestricted funds £1,803,223 is invested in rainforest land and a further £2,030 in the charity’s functional fixed assets such as office computers and so accordingly is not available to freely spend on the charity’s day to day activities. These allocations leave £528,102 available for general charity use.
There were no committed grants at the charity’s year end the operating expenditure in 2024 (expenditure excluding grants) totalled £380,937. The free reserves of the charity exceed this target figure and the trustees consider that the charity has sufficient reserves to be able to cover short-term income fluctuations and to carry out the plan for future action detailed in this report.
Grant making policy
The Trustees consider grant making an effective means of delivering aid using local partners. Local partners have access to facilities, expertise, staff or other resources, in the field and they may be better placed to deliver, speedily and effectively. The projects which the Charity chooses to support are recommended to us, in particular by our partner organisations.
Plans for the future
The Charity will develop and support its existing projects whilst looking for and responding to new conservation priorities and opportunities in the coming year with funding sought for these purposes. The charity’s website will be regularly updated on at least a monthly basis and with emphasis to provide an image-rich and educational website.
The Trustees are clear that short-term achievements are high and even exceptional when benchmarked against other conservation organisations of similar size. However due the rapidly developing global volatility around climate change, food supply and ecological population displacement, amongst other issues, they are also clear that the charity needs to develop a clear vision and strategy for long-term conservation outcomes, that include ensuring conservation benefits are enjoyed by local people. This requires the charity to look for additional research support, to demonstrate how ecosystem services sustain livelihoods and agriculture and wellbeing.
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RAINFOREST CONCERN
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Fundraising
The charity does not contract with any commercial fundraising agencies. Accordingly, no member of the charity or agency acting on its behalf is a member of a fundraising regulatory body or bound by a regulatory standard, and the charity does not have regulatory procedures in place covering fundraising. No complaints have been received by the charity from its fundraising.
The charity only sends fundraising material and updates on the charity’s work to individuals who have actively opted in to receive contact of this nature from the charity in order to protect the public from intrusion. We aim to protect vulnerable members of the public from persistent contact by ensuring that updates on the charity’s activities are not too frequent, and are controlled at chief executive level.
Our approach to fundraising is that we never cold call members of the public as potential donors although we do reach out to corporate entities and charitable trusts. We reach the public through the production of our Rainforest Review and aim to raise funds by valuing long term relationships with our funders.
Auditor
In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that Begbies be reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meeting.
Disclosure of information to auditor
Each of the trustees has confirmed that there is no information of which they are aware which is relevant to the audit, but of which the auditor is unaware. They have further confirmed that they have taken appropriate steps to identify such relevant information and to establish that the auditor is aware of such information.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
| . Oda |/ . .............................. \ | Og;} N Page Trustee Dated: .........................16/10/2025
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RAINFOREST CONCERN
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that year.
In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping sufficient accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
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RAINFOREST CONCERN
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF RAINFOREST CONCERN
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Rainforest Concern (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion, the financial statements:
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give a true and fair view of the state of the charity’s affairs as at 31 December 2024 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, for the year then ended;
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have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
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have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
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the information given in the financial statements is inconsistent in any material respect with the trustees' report; or
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sufficient accounting records have not been kept; or
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the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records; or
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we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
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RAINFOREST CONCERN
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE TRUSTEES OF RAINFOREST CONCERN
Responsibilities of trustees
As explained more fully in the statement of trustees' responsibilities, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Extent to which the audit was capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
– Agreement of the financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation to assess compliance with those laws and regulations having an impact on the financial statements and disclosure requirements. In particular, Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice;
– Enquiries and confirmation of management and the trustees as to their identification of any non-compliance with laws or regulations, or any actual or potential claims;
– Review of minutes of the Board meeting during the period;
– incorporating unpredictability into the nature, timing and/or extent of testing.
– Evaluation of the selection and application of the accounting policies chosen by the charity.
– In relation to the risk of management override of internal controls, by undertaking procedures to review journal entries and evaluating whether there was evidence of bias that represented a risk of material misstatement due to fraud; and
– We assessed the susceptibility of the charity’s financial statements to material misstatement, including how fraud might occur by considering the key risks impacting the financial statements.
Our audit procedures were designed to respond to risks of material misstatement in the financial statements, recognising that the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery, misrepresentations or through collusion.
There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures performed and the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we are to become aware of it.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https:// www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
- 12 -
RAINFOREST CONCERN
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE TRUSTEES OF RAINFOREST CONCERN
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Katherine Dee FCA(Senior Statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of Begbies, Statutory Auditor Chartered Accountants 9 Bonhill Street London EC2A 4DJ Date: ..20/10/25.......................
Begbies is eligible for appointment as auditor of the charity by virtue of its eligibility for appointment as auditor of a company under section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.
- 13 -
RAINFOREST CONCERN
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Current financial year Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2024 2024 Notes £ £ Income from: Donations and legacies 2 279,715 818,168 Investments - interest 17,822 - Total income 297,537 818,168 Expenditure on: Raising funds 4 150,764 - Charitable activities Conservation 5 103,294 356,364 Total expenditure 254,058 356,364 Net incoming resources before transfers 43,479 461,804 Gross transfers between funds 157,257 (157,257) Net income for the year/ Net movement in funds 200,736 304,547 Fund balances at 1 January 2024 2,132,619 436,314 Fund balances at 31 December 2024 2,333,355 740,861 |
Total 2024 £ 1,097,883 17,822 1,115,705 150,764 459,658 610,422 505,283 - 505,283 2,568,933 3,074,216 |
Total 2023 £ 1,053,453 3,658 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,057,111 | ||
| 127,575 351,590 |
||
| 479,165 | ||
| 577,946 - |
||
| 577,946 1,990,987 |
||
| 2,568,933 |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
- 14 -
RAINFOREST CONCERN
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Prior financial year
| Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2023 2023 Notes £ £ Income from: Donations and legacies 2 313,727 739,726 Investments - interest 3,658 - Total income 317,385 739,726 Expenditure on: Raising funds 4 127,575 - Charitable activities Conservation 5 92,263 259,327 Total expenditure 219,838 259,327 Net incoming resources before transfers 97,547 480,399 Gross transfers between funds 352,217 (352,217) Net movement in funds 449,764 128,182 Fund balances at 1 January 2023 1,682,855 308,132 Fund balances at 31 December 2023 2,132,619 436,314 |
Total 2023 £ 1,053,453 3,658 |
|---|---|
| 1,057,111 | |
| 127,575 351,590 |
|
| 479,165 | |
| 577,946 - |
|
| 577,946 1,990,987 |
|
| 2,568,933 |
- 15 -
RAINFOREST CONCERN
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| Fixed assets | |||||||
| Tangible assets | 12 | 2,030 | 1,964 | ||||
| Land for conservation | 13 | 1,803,223 | 1,645,966 | ||||
| 1,805,253 | 1,647,930 | ||||||
| Current assets | |||||||
| Debtors | 14 | 164,706 | 259,896 | ||||
| Cash at bank and in hand - unrestricted | 376,911 | 235,952 | |||||
| Cash at bank and in hand - restricted | 740,861 | 436,314 | |||||
| 1,282,478 | 932,162 | ||||||
| Creditors: amounts falling due within | 15 | ||||||
| one year | (13,515) | (11,159) | |||||
| Net current assets | 1,268,963 | 921,003 | |||||
| Total assets less current liabilities | 3,074,216 | 2,568,933 | |||||
| Income funds | |||||||
| Restricted funds | 18 | 740,861 | 436,314 | ||||
| Unrestricted funds | |||||||
| Designated funds | 17 | 1,805,253 | 1,647,930 | ||||
| General unrestricted funds | 528,102 | 484,689 | |||||
| 2,333,355 | 2,132,619 | ||||||
| 3,074,216 | 2,568,933 |
The accounts were approved by the Trustees on .........................16/10/2025
| .............................. \ Uv Unrrl [I ¢ A)! N Page Trustee
- 16 -
RAINFOREST CONCERN
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Notes Cash flows from operating activities Cash generated from operations 23 Investing activities Purchase of tangible fixed assets Proceeds on disposal of tangible fixed assets Purchase of land for conservation Interest received Net cash used in investing activities Net increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents at end of year |
2024 £ (1,199) 89 (157,257) 17,822 |
£ 586,051 (140,545) 445,506 672,266 1,117,772 |
2023 £ (849) - (352,217) 3,658 |
£ 362,701 (349,408) 13,293 658,972 672,266 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
- 17 -
RAINFOREST CONCERN
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1 Accounting policies
Charity information
Rainforest Concern is an unincorporated organisation constituted under a Trust Deed dated 15th November 1993. It is registered as a Charity with the Charity Commission.
1.1 Accounting convention
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the charity's trust deed, the Charities Act 2011 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2019). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The financial statements have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
1.2 Going concern
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
1.3 Charitable funds
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
1.4 Incoming resources
Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Legacies are recognised on the earlier of receipt or when the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is probable.
1.5 Resources expended
All expenditure is included on an accruals basis and is recognised when there is a legal or constructive obligation to pay for expenditure.
Fundraising costs include those costs incurred in raising the profile of the charity and its work, and other expenses incurred in obtaining funding.
- 18 -
RAINFOREST CONCERN
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1 Accounting policies
(Continued)
The charity has only one charitable activity which is conservation of natural habitats and biodiversity.
Direct project costs includes payments to maintain and preserve the charity's own conservation land, undertake other conservation activities and the costs visiting the charity's own and grant projects. Costs are recognised when incurred by the charity. Where costs, such as salaries, are incurred in part for direct activities and in part for support activities an estimate is made of time spent on each activity.
Grants to partner projects are recorded when the partner is informed that they will be receiving funding without further approval processes.
Governance costs are the costs associated with the governance arrangements of the charity.
Support costs are the general costs incurred in support of meeting the charity's objectives, fundraising and in monitoring and awarding grants. Support costs are allocated in proportion to office-based staff salaries for each activity.
All cost include any irrecoverable VAT.
1.6 Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
Fixtures, fittings & equipment 20% straight line Computers 33% reducing balance
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
1.7 Land for conservation
Land for conservation is land acquired by the charity and is recognised at cost. The freehold land has not been depreciated as allowed by the SORP for assets with indefinite lives. The assets are reviewed annually for impairment
1.8 Impairment of fixed assets
At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
1.9 Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand and deposits held at call with banks.
- 19 -
RAINFOREST CONCERN
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1 Accounting policies
(Continued)
1.10 Financial instruments
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities.
Derecognition of financial liabilities
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
1.11 Employee benefits
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
1.12 Retirement benefits
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
2 Income from donations and legacies
| Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2024 2024 £ £ Donations and gifts 176,086 818,168 Legacies 103,629 - 279,715 818,168 |
Total Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2024 2023 2023 £ £ £ 994,254 113,727 739,726 103,629 200,000 - 1,097,883 313,727 739,726 |
Total 2023 £ 853,453 200,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,053,453 |
- 20 -
RAINFOREST CONCERN
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
3 Critical accounting estimates and judgements
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
Critical judgements
Carrying value of land for conservation
In accordance with FRS 102 the land for conservation is recorded at cost. The charity has not opted for a policy of revaluation with regards to the conservation land owned, but does review for impairment annually. Given the inherent difficulties in valuing such land, and so ensuring the land is not impaired, a level of judgement is required. In considering whether there has been an impairment the physical condition of the land is considered in addition to the continuing legal rights of ownership.
4 Raising funds
| Fundraising and publicity Seeking donations, grants and legacies - share of governance costs Fundraising and donor events Fundraising agents Advertising, website and newsletter Staff costs Support costs For the year ended 31 December 2023 Fundraising and publicity |
2024 £ 4,333 7,273 23,276 14,707 50,582 54,926 150,764 |
2023 £ 4,333 1,979 18,999 3,460 44,787 58,350 |
|---|---|---|
| 127,575 | ||
| 127,575 | ||
| 127,575 |
- 21 -
RAINFOREST CONCERN
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
5 Charitable activities
| Conservation Activities undertaken directly Staff costs Overseas field expenses Consultants and freelance fees Neblina Reserve Ecuador - management and support Nasampulli Reserve Chile - management and support Costa Rica- management and support Grant funding of activities (see note 7) Share of support costs (see note 9) Share of governance costs (see note 9) Analysis by fund Unrestricted funds Restricted funds For the year ended 31 December 2023 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds |
Total 2024 £ 40,466 13,403 20,386 97,898 21,026 1,845 195,024 220,692 40,475 3,467 459,658 103,294 356,364 459,658 |
Total 2023 £ 35,829 - 19,729 88,056 32,138 - |
|---|---|---|
| 175,752 129,157 43,214 3,467 |
||
| 351,590 | ||
| 92,263 259,327 |
||
| 351,590 |
- 22 -
RAINFOREST CONCERN
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| 5 Charitable activities Expenditure by activity Direct conservation costs Neblina Reserve Ecuador - management and support Nasampulli Reserve Chile - management and support Costa Rica- management and support Grants to projects and partners Direct conservation costs Neblina Reserve Ecuador - management and support Nasampulli Reserve Chile - management and support Grants to projects and partners |
Direct £ 74,255 97,898 21,026 1,845 220,692 415,716 Direct £ 55,558 88,056 32,138 129,157 304,909 |
(Continued) Support costs Total 2024 £ £ 7,849 82,104 10,348 108,246 2,222 23,248 195 2,040 23,328 244,020 43,942 459,658 Support costs Total 2023 £ £ 8,506 64,064 13,481 101,537 4,920 37,058 19,774 148,931 46,681 351,590 |
(Continued) Support costs Total 2024 £ £ 7,849 82,104 10,348 108,246 2,222 23,248 195 2,040 23,328 244,020 43,942 459,658 Support costs Total 2023 £ £ 8,506 64,064 13,481 101,537 4,920 37,058 19,774 148,931 46,681 351,590 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 459,658 | |||
| Total 2023 £ 64,064 101,537 37,058 148,931 |
|||
| 351,590 |
Further details of projects by geographical area are contained in the Trustees' Report and note 18.
Support costs are allocated in proportion to expenditure on charitable activities.
6 Conservation
Conservation
Grant giving
The charity achieves its objects by awarding grants to partner projects to protect the rainforest and its inhabitants and purchase land for conservation purposes. Grants for conservation purposes and research are identified as grants in these accounts, regardless of whether the activity takes place on the charity's or third party land.
Activities undertaken directly by the charity
Where suitable partners cannot be found for land purchase the charity may purchase this in its own name. Costs for the maintenance and protection of this land along with monitoring this, and all partner projects, are recorded under activities undertaken directly, except when paid as grants to partners.
The allocations have been revised in these accounts to identify activities on the Chile and Ecuadorian reserves.
- 23 -
RAINFOREST CONCERN
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
7 Grants payable
| Grants payable Jaguar Rescue Centre - Costa Rica Munnarakkunnu Trust - India Los Cedros - Ecuador Instituto Juruá - Brazil Decoin - Ecuador Fundacion Tierramar - Colombia Corporación Bosques de Zapallar - Chile Urpiano Reserve - Costa Rica Fundacion Cuencas de Limon - Costa Rica Other - below £2,000 |
2024 £ 46,853 7,000 33,646 40,000 - 9,207 7,928 19,675 56,383 - 220,692 |
2023 £ 25,396 - 46,942 - 17,925 7,989 8,950 20,328 - 1,626 |
|---|---|---|
| 129,156 |
Conservation
The charity carries out its charitable objects through grants to third parties, its own research and conservation activities and by land purchases. Accordingly the level of each type of activity varies across years. During the year the charity had acquired title to land for conservation to the value of £157,257 (2023: £352,717) in addition to making the above payments for grants, and maintenance and research costs detailed in note 5.
The purchase of land for conservation is shown in the accounts as an addition to land for conservation assets, and funds held by third parties for future purchases are shown in other debtors. The cumulative total of land for conservation purchases and grants in 2024 was £377,949 (2023: £481,374).
Commitments
No grants included in the above figures were unpaid at the current or prior balance sheet date, subject to conditions yet to be met by the recipient.
8 Trustees
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration from the charity during the year (2023:£0). One trustee received fees for project planning of £1,000 (2023:£0). No trustees visited the charity's projects and had their flights and other expenses paid by the charity in the current or previous year. One trustee claimed general travel expenses during the year of £245 (2023:£227). For other related party transactions please see note 22.
- 24 -
RAINFOREST CONCERN
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
9 Support costs
| Support costs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Support costs Governance costs £ £ Staff costs 35,425 - Depreciation 1,044 - Consultancy, legal and professional fees 11,543 - Rent, rates, utilities and service charges 24,070 - General expenses 17,107 - Bank charges and fees 1,879 - Audit fees - 7,800 91,068 7,800 Analysed between Fundraising 50,593 4,333 Charitable activities 40,475 3,467 91,068 7,800 |
2024 £ 35,425 1,044 11,543 24,070 17,107 1,879 7,800 98,868 54,926 43,942 98,868 |
2023 £ 34,719 982 9,753 21,893 28,234 1,650 7,800 |
| 105,031 | ||
| 58,350 46,681 |
||
| 105,031 |
Governance costs includes accrued and paid fees to the auditors of £6,500 excluding VAT (2023- £6,500 excluding VAT) for audit, bookkeeping and gift aid return fee.
Support costs have been allocated according to office-based staff wages.
- 25 -
RAINFOREST CONCERN
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
10 Employees
Number of employees
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
| Employment costs Wages and salaries Social security costs Other pension costs The number of employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more, not including employer's pension contributions, were: £70,001-£80,000 £80,001-£90,000 |
2024 Number 2 2024 £ 117,350 8,575 548 126,473 2024 Number - 1 |
2023 Number 2 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 £ 106,250 7,221 1,864 |
||
| 115,335 | ||
| 2023 Number 1 - |
No Employers' pension contributions were made for the higher paid employee (2023: £1,210).
11 Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.
- 26 -
RAINFOREST CONCERN
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
12 Tangible fixed assets
| Cost At 1 January 2024 Additions Disposals At 31 December 2024 Depreciation and impairment At 1 January 2024 Depreciation charged in the year Eliminated in respect of disposals At 31 December 2024 Carrying amount At 31 December 2024 At 31 December 2023 |
Fixtures, fittings & equipment £ 12,921 - - 12,921 12,921 - - 12,921 - - |
Computers £ 4,702 1,199 (1,006) 4,895 2,738 1,044 (917) 2,865 2,030 1,964 |
Total £ 17,623 1,199 (1,006) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17,816 | |||
| 15,659 1,044 (917) |
|||
| 15,786 | |||
| 2,030 | |||
| 1,964 |
13 Land for Conservation
| Land for Conservation | |
|---|---|
| Land for | |
| conservation | |
| £ | |
| At 1 January 2024 | 1,645,966 |
| Purchases of land for conservation | 157,257 |
| At 31 December 2024 | 1,803,223 |
Land for conservation assets are areas of rainforest land owned across Ecuador and Chile. The charity purchases areas of conservation land in its own name when it is not possible for land to be held by local partners. The land is held is support of Rainforest Concern's charitable objects and the charity works with local groups in its maintenance and protection.
Five year purchase summary of conservation land
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Purchases | 157,257 | 352,217 | 39,534 | 24,336 | - |
- 27 -
RAINFOREST CONCERN
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
14 Debtors
| Debtors | ||
|---|---|---|
| Amounts falling due within one year: Other debtors Prepayments and accrued income |
2024 £ 160,695 4,011 164,706 |
2023 £ 256,135 3,761 |
| 259,896 |
Other debtors includes £122,005 (2023: £27,575) held by third parties for land purchases and conservation costs spanning the year end. No legal commitments were outstanding at either year end in respect of these transactions.
2023 other debtors also include a £200,000 bequest to which the charity was entitled at the year end, but was not received until March 2024.
15 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Other taxation and social security Other creditors Accruals and deferred income |
2024 £ 3,959 1,864 7,692 13,515 |
2023 £ 4,142 420 6,597 |
| 11,159 |
16 Retirement benefit schemes
| Retirement benefit schemes | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Defined contribution schemes | £ | £ |
| Charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes | 548 | 1,864 |
The charity operates defined contribution pension schemes for all qualifying employees under the automatic enrolment rules. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in independently administered funds.
- 28 -
RAINFOREST CONCERN
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
17 Unrestricted funds
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
| At Funds represented by land and other fixed assets General funds Previous year: At Funds represented by land and other fixed assets General funds |
1 January 2024 Incoming resources Resources expended £ £ £ 1,647,930 1,199 (1,133) 484,689 296,338 (252,925) 2,132,619 297,537 (254,058) 1 January 2023 Incoming resources Resources expended £ £ £ 1,295,846 849 (982) 387,009 316,536 (218,856) 1,682,855 317,385 (219,838) |
Transfers At 31 December 2024 £ £ 157,257 1,805,253 - 528,102 157,257 2,333,355 Transfers At 31 December 2023 £ £ 352,217 1,647,930 - 484,689 352,217 2,132,619 |
|---|---|---|
The funds designated represent that part of the unrestricted reserve which could not readily be used for ongoing expenditure. The transfers in represent additional land purchases made from restricted funds.
- 29 -
RAINFOREST CONCERN
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
18 Restricted funds
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
| Balance at 1 January 2023 r £ Ecuador Fund 52,154 Chile Fund 25,000 Carbon Forest Credits 569 India Fund 330 Costa Rica - Belize Fund 24,013 Rainforest Concern General Fund 205,147 Romania Fund 919 Brazil Fund - Colombia Fund - 308,132 |
Movement in funds 2023 Incoming esources Resources expended Transfers Balance at 1 January 2024 r £ £ £ £ 570,920 (161,012) (352,217) 109,846 2,225 (42,407) 40,182 25,000 385 (569) - 385 - - - 330 37,203 (45,724) 92,556 84,035 - - - 24,013 127,717 (1,626) (140,727) 190,511 - - - 919 - - - - 1,275 (7,989) 7,989 1,275 739,725 (259,327) (352,217) 436,314 |
Movement in funds 2024 Incoming esources Resources expended Transfers Balance at 31 December 2024 £ £ £ £ 642,604 (131,544) (124,494) 496,412 500 (30,454) 29,954 25,000 34 - - 419 - (7,000) 6,670 - 80,000 (124,756) 12,076 51,355 - - - 24,013 95,030 (13,403) (130,671) 141,468 - - - 919 - (40,000) 40,000 - - (9,208) 9,207 1,274 818,168 (356,365) (157,258) 740,861 |
Movement in funds 2024 Incoming esources Resources expended Transfers Balance at 31 December 2024 £ £ £ £ 642,604 (131,544) (124,494) 496,412 500 (30,454) 29,954 25,000 34 - - 419 - (7,000) 6,670 - 80,000 (124,756) 12,076 51,355 - - - 24,013 95,030 (13,403) (130,671) 141,468 - - - 919 - (40,000) 40,000 - - (9,208) 9,207 1,274 818,168 (356,365) (157,258) 740,861 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 740,861 |
- 30 -
RAINFOREST CONCERN
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
18 Restricted funds
(Continued)
Ecuador Fund To fund three partner projects and land purchase across Ecuador Chile Fund To fund three partner projects and land purchase in Chile Carbon Forest Credits A carbon offsetting scheme for use with specified carbon offset approved programmes India Fund To fund a single project in India Costa Rica Fund To fund three projects and land purchase in Costa Rica Belize Fund To fund a single project in Belize Rainforest Concern General Fund To fund rainforest conservation work undertaken by the charity from Sponsor an Acre funds Romania Fund To fund a single project in Romania Brazil Fund To fund a single project in Brazil Colombia Fund To fund a single project in Colombia
Further details of all the projects are contained in the trustees report. Transfers between funds represent land purchases from restricted income or re-allocation of Sponsor an Acre funds which can be used for different geographical areas.
- 31 -
RAINFOREST CONCERN
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| 19 Analysis of net assets between funds Unrestricted reserves Designated reserves Restricted reserves 2024 2024 2024 £ £ £ Fund balances at 31 December 2024 are represented by: Tangible assets - 2,030 - Land for conservation - 1,803,223 - Current assets/(liabilities) 528,102 - 740,861 528,102 1,805,253 740,861 |
Total Unrestricted reserves Designated reserves 2024 2023 2023 £ £ £ 2,030 - 1,964 1,803,223 - 1,645,966 1,268,963 484,689 - 3,074,216 484,689 1,647,930 |
Restricted reserves 2023 £ - - 436,314 436,314 |
Total 2023 £ 1,964 1,645,966 921,003 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,568,933 |
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RAINFOREST CONCERN
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
20 Operating lease commitments
At the reporting end date the charity had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases for office space rented, which fall due as follows:
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Within one year | 3,400 | 3,400 |
21 Analysis of changes in net funds
The charity had no material debt during the year.
22 Related party transactions
Remuneration of key management personnel
The remuneration of key management personnel is as follows.
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Aggregate compensation including employer's national insurance and pension | 101,165 | 89,573 |
Transactions with related parties
During the year the charity entered into the following transactions with related parties:
The donations for the year include £83,339 (2023: £100,290) from the Swiss Planet Foundation, an organisation of whose board the Chief Executive of Rainforest Concern is a president. The grant was given for land purchase in Ecuador (2023: £28,128 in Ecuador and £72,162 for activities and grants in Costa Rica).
During the 2021 year a staff loan was made to the CEO which carries an interest rate of 2%. The balance at the 2023 year end stood at £12,411 and it was repaid in full during the year.
Total unrestricted donations from trustees and their connected parties were in aggregate £23,393 (2023: £23,998).
During the year under review, no trustee received payment or remuneration from the charity (2023: none).
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RAINFOREST CONCERN
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| 23 Cash generated from operations Surplus for the year Adjustments for: Investment income recognised in statement of financial activities Depreciation and impairment of tangible fixed assets Movements in working capital: Decrease/(increase) in debtors Increase/(decrease) in creditors Cash generated from operations |
2024 2023 £ £ 505,283 577,946 (17,822) (3,658) 1,044 982 95,190 (210,995) 2,356 (1,574) 586,051 362,701 |
|---|---|
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