2023-03-31-accounts

SUSTAINABILITY PARTNERS – ANNUAL REPORT 2022-23

1. Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisers

Sustainability Partners, was registered with the Charity Commission on 22 May 2007, number 1119345.

Trustees during the year 2022-23 were: RHJ Hopwood (Managing Trustee), AL Hopwood, CR Hopwood and. MJ StJohn .

2. Structure, governance and management

The charity is a charitable trust, governed by a Declaration of Trust signed on 15 February 2007. It is managed by a board of trustees. All new grants and investments are approved by the board of trustees as a whole, payments are then made by the managing trustee using electronic banking. General administration, such as keeping records and accounts, dealing with correspondence and drafting reports for approval is the responsibility of the managing trustee.

The board did not meet during the year, business was conducted by e-mail and telephone.

3. Financial Review

Income reduced by 10%, and grant making by 15% mainly due to significant donations and grants falling either side of the year end and the closure of two partners in Esteli; core income and expenditure remain stable. Cash reserves increased by 50% as the trustees prepared for an uncertain future.

Funds not required for short term use are invested in organisations which support the charity’s objectives. These include Oicocredit which supports micro-credit societies in many poor countries, Thrive Renewables which invests in renewable energy schemes in the UK, the Shared Interest Society which provides loan finance to fair trade organisations, and Triodos Bank.

Changes to banking rules after Brexit mean that some of these funds, approximately £8000, are not realisable in the short term but they are expected to be released later this year and are still shown at full value in the accounts. The John Cleveland College withdrew from the Community JCC Woodheat Cooperative when it became an academy. The Cooperative was wound up during the year resulting in a £340 profit as our investment was repaid.

Sustainability Partners, 18 Woodlands Close, Dibden Purlieu, Southampton, SO45 4JG, UK [phone] [e-mail]

4. Funds held as custodian trustee on behalf of others

The charity does not hold funds on behalf of others.

5. Public benefit statement

The trustees confirm that they have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit when approving grants and have managed the charity in accordance with the declaration of trust and approved objectives.

6. Objectives and activities

The charity’s objectives are:

1. To develop the capacity and skills of the members of socially and economically disadvantaged communities in such a way that they are better able to identify and help meet their needs and to participate more fully in society, in particular but not exclusively by supporting the development of self help associations.

2. To relieve financial hardship, either generally or individually, through the provision of grants, goods or services.

3. To promote the protection and sustainable use of the natural environment for the benefit of the public, through education, training and demonstration projects.

During the year we pursued these objectives by making grants to six organisations in three countries:

Nicaragua

1. Colibrí Initiativa Arte Infantil, based in Esteli, is a youth theatre group using ‘Theatre of the Oppressed’ techniques to help young people explore their past and present situation while developing social skills and self-confidence. Following successful fundraising efforts they have refurbished and redecorated their accommodation and expanded to include handicraft and cooking classes for adults.

2. Sunshine English School , aims to develop the self-confidence and employment prospects of children and young people from a poor barrio in Esteli. The school is now firmly established; we support the day to day running costs. Towards the end of the year we were able to reduce our support as tourists and associated jobs began to return.

3. Asociación Tierra is a Nicaraguan NGO associated with the La Mariposa language school and eco-hotel, based in La Concepcion. It works to protect and improve the local environment and provide sustainable employment for local people. The language school and hotel had to close for a while due to the collapse of tourism; our grants helped the social projects to survive.

Sustainability Partners, 18 Woodlands Close, Dibden Purlieu, Southampton, SO45 4JG, UK [phone] [e-mail]

Indonesia

1. Senang Hati is a local NGO started and run by disabled people in Gianyar, Bali. Our regular core funding grant covers the bills for electricity, gas, food and domestic supplies.

2. Ayu Indonesia is a local NGO based in Ruteng, Flores working with poor rural communities in Manggarai district. We supported a second project training rural health workers to combat stunting. As before our contribution released a larger grant from a bigger funder.

Moldova

1. Phoenix runs a day centre for disabled children in Riscani which provides care, company, stimulus and treatment to children who continue to live at home with their families and an old people’s home. We contribute to the core funding of the centre.

7. Achievements and performance

All in all this has been a successful year. Our partners continue to do valuable work in their communities supported by our core funding.. Cash reserves remained high and the overall financial position remains satisfactory.

Sustainability Partners, 18 Woodlands Close, Dibden Purlieu, Southampton, SO45 4JG, UK [phone] [e-mail]

Annual accounts for the financial year 2022/23

		2021 -22
Openingbalance
• Cash at bank	9685.96	4274.89
• Investments	14588.34	14572.46
• Loans outstanding	0	2136.00
• Funds in Nicaragua	464.00	464.00
• Total	24738.30	21447.35
Income
• Donations–general	9417.50	16705.00
• Donations–restricted	18341.50	16463.29
• Interest & dividends	2000.35	167.31
• Total	29759.35	33335.60
Grants
• General	7968.07	10882.79
• Restricted	15593.12	16702.61
• Total	23561.19	27585.40
Administration
• Bank charges	128.16	121.65
• Web site	201.60	201.60
• Travel costs	0	0
• Total	329.76	323.25
Asset changes	(2033.00)	(2136.00)
Surplus (deficit) for the year	3835.40	3290.95
Closingbalance
• Cash at bank	15554.36	9685.96
• Investments	13019.34	14572.46
• Loans outstanding	0	0
• Funds in Nicaragua	0	464.00
• Total	28573.70	24738.30

Note: GiftAid has been included in donation totals.

Approved by the board 10 July 2023

Sustainability Partners, 18 Woodlands Close, Dibden Purlieu, Southampton, SO45 4JG, UK [phone] [e-mail]

SUSTAINABILITY PARTNERS – ANNUAL REPORT 2022-23

1. Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisers

Sustainability Partners, was registered with the Charity Commission on 22 May 2007, number 1119345.

Trustees during the year 2022-23 were: RHJ Hopwood (Managing Trustee), AL Hopwood, CR Hopwood and. MJ StJohn .

2. Structure, governance and management

The charity is a charitable trust, governed by a Declaration of Trust signed on 15 February 2007. It is managed by a board of trustees. All new grants and investments are approved by the board of trustees as a whole, payments are then made by the managing trustee using electronic banking. General administration, such as keeping records and accounts, dealing with correspondence and drafting reports for approval is the responsibility of the managing trustee.

The board did not meet during the year, business was conducted by e-mail and telephone.

3. Financial Review

Income reduced by 10%, and grant making by 15% mainly due to significant donations and grants falling either side of the year end and the closure of two partners in Esteli; core income and expenditure remain stable. Cash reserves increased by 50% as the trustees prepared for an uncertain future.

Funds not required for short term use are invested in organisations which support the charity’s objectives. These include Oicocredit which supports micro-credit societies in many poor countries, Thrive Renewables which invests in renewable energy schemes in the UK, the Shared Interest Society which provides loan finance to fair trade organisations, and Triodos Bank.

Changes to banking rules after Brexit mean that some of these funds, approximately £8000, are not realisable in the short term but they are expected to be released later this year and are still shown at full value in the accounts. The John Cleveland College withdrew from the Community JCC Woodheat Cooperative when it became an academy. The Cooperative was wound up during the year resulting in a £340 profit as our investment was repaid.

Sustainability Partners, 18 Woodlands Close, Dibden Purlieu, Southampton, SO45 4JG, UK [phone] [e-mail]

4. Funds held as custodian trustee on behalf of others

The charity does not hold funds on behalf of others.

5. Public benefit statement

The trustees confirm that they have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit when approving grants and have managed the charity in accordance with the declaration of trust and approved objectives.

6. Objectives and activities

The charity’s objectives are:

1. To develop the capacity and skills of the members of socially and economically disadvantaged communities in such a way that they are better able to identify and help meet their needs and to participate more fully in society, in particular but not exclusively by supporting the development of self help associations.

2. To relieve financial hardship, either generally or individually, through the provision of grants, goods or services.

3. To promote the protection and sustainable use of the natural environment for the benefit of the public, through education, training and demonstration projects.

During the year we pursued these objectives by making grants to six organisations in three countries:

Nicaragua

1. Colibrí Initiativa Arte Infantil, based in Esteli, is a youth theatre group using ‘Theatre of the Oppressed’ techniques to help young people explore their past and present situation while developing social skills and self-confidence. Following successful fundraising efforts they have refurbished and redecorated their accommodation and expanded to include handicraft and cooking classes for adults.

2. Sunshine English School , aims to develop the self-confidence and employment prospects of children and young people from a poor barrio in Esteli. The school is now firmly established; we support the day to day running costs. Towards the end of the year we were able to reduce our support as tourists and associated jobs began to return.

3. Asociación Tierra is a Nicaraguan NGO associated with the La Mariposa language school and eco-hotel, based in La Concepcion. It works to protect and improve the local environment and provide sustainable employment for local people. The language school and hotel had to close for a while due to the collapse of tourism; our grants helped the social projects to survive.

Sustainability Partners, 18 Woodlands Close, Dibden Purlieu, Southampton, SO45 4JG, UK [phone] [e-mail]

Indonesia

1. Senang Hati is a local NGO started and run by disabled people in Gianyar, Bali. Our regular core funding grant covers the bills for electricity, gas, food and domestic supplies.

2. Ayu Indonesia is a local NGO based in Ruteng, Flores working with poor rural communities in Manggarai district. We supported a second project training rural health workers to combat stunting. As before our contribution released a larger grant from a bigger funder.

Moldova

1. Phoenix runs a day centre for disabled children in Riscani which provides care, company, stimulus and treatment to children who continue to live at home with their families and an old people’s home. We contribute to the core funding of the centre.

7. Achievements and performance

All in all this has been a successful year. Our partners continue to do valuable work in their communities supported by our core funding.. Cash reserves remained high and the overall financial position remains satisfactory.

Sustainability Partners, 18 Woodlands Close, Dibden Purlieu, Southampton, SO45 4JG, UK [phone] [e-mail]

Annual accounts for the financial year 2022/23

		2021 -22
Openingbalance
• Cash at bank	9685.96	4274.89
• Investments	14588.34	14572.46
• Loans outstanding	0	2136.00
• Funds in Nicaragua	464.00	464.00
• Total	24738.30	21447.35
Income
• Donations–general	9417.50	16705.00
• Donations–restricted	18341.50	16463.29
• Interest & dividends	2000.35	167.31
• Total	29759.35	33335.60
Grants
• General	7968.07	10882.79
• Restricted	15593.12	16702.61
• Total	23561.19	27585.40
Administration
• Bank charges	128.16	121.65
• Web site	201.60	201.60
• Travel costs	0	0
• Total	329.76	323.25
Asset changes	(2033.00)	(2136.00)
Surplus (deficit) for the year	3835.40	3290.95
Closingbalance
• Cash at bank	15554.36	9685.96
• Investments	13019.34	14572.46
• Loans outstanding	0	0
• Funds in Nicaragua	0	464.00
• Total	28573.70	24738.30

Note: GiftAid has been included in donation totals.

Approved by the board 10 July 2023

Sustainability Partners, 18 Woodlands Close, Dibden Purlieu, Southampton, SO45 4JG, UK [phone] [e-mail]

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members ol Sustainability Partners On accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023 Charlty no (if any) 1119345 Set oul on pages This page and page 4 of the Trustees, annual report I report to the twstees on my examinati￿ of the accounts of the above tharity ("the Trust.) for the year 8nded 3110312023 Respon8lbllStles and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are r8sponsibla for the preparation basls of report of tha accounts in accordan￿ with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111-the Acri. I report in respect of my examination of th8 Tmst's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5llb) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confim thal no material matters hav8 come to my attention ) in connection with the examination which gives m& cause to believe that in, any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examiner's statement I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. ' Ple** a81et8 the words in the brackets rf th8y do not 8ppIy. Slgnod: Date: Name". Patrick Micha810'Grady Relevant professional quallflcatlon(s) or body (if any}: FCIS FCG (Chartered Govemanca Instrtute UK & Ireland, Member no: 30101231 Address: 51 Bevedey Hills Park Porton Road Amesbury SP47LQ IER October 2018

Annual accounts for the financial year 2022123 2021 -22 Openin balance Cash al bank ltivestments Loans outslandin Funds in Nicara ua Total 9685.96 14588.34 4274.89 14572.46 2136.00 464.00 21447.35 464.00 24738.30 Income Donations - eneral Donations- restricted Interest & dividends Total 9417.50 18341.50 2000 35 29759.35 16705.00 16463.29 167.31 33335.60 Grants General Restncted Total 7968.07 15593.12 23561.19 10882.79 16702.61 27685.40 Administration Bank char Web site Travel costs Total 128.16 201.60 121.65 201.60 329.76 323.25 Asset chan es 2033.00 2136.00 Sur lus deficlt for the ear 3835.40 3290.95 Closl balance Cash at bank Investrnents Loans oulslandin Funds in Nicara Total 15554.36 13019.34 9685.96 14572.46 464.00 24738.30 28673.70 Note.. GiftAid has been included in donation totals. Approved by the board Suslainabilty Partners, 18 Wc<xllands Close. Dibden Purtieu, Southamplon, S045 4JG, UK +44 {0123 8084 S￿1 [e-mail]