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2023-03-31-accounts

Advance Myanmar

Advance Myanmar Ltd

Report & Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

Registered Charity Number 1139662 Registered Company Number 07368015

Advance Myanmar Ltd Report and Financial Statements Contents

Page
Report of the trustees 1-5
Legal and administrative information 6
Independent examiner's report 7
Statement of financial activities 8
Balance sheet 9
Statement of cash flows 10
Notes forming part of the financial statements 11-17

Advance Myanmar

The trustees have pleasure in presenting their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2023.

Principal aims

The objects set out in our Articles of Association, dated 13 April 2016 are:

• To advance the education of the public with opportunities that will, in particular, enable them to investigate, question and evaluate the situation in Myanmar.

• To develop the capacity and skills of members of the Myanmar community in such a way that they are better able to identify, and help meet, their needs and to participate more fully in society.

• To promote human rights (as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and subsequent United Nations Conventions and Declarations) and to advance the education of the public in the subject of human rights in Myanmar.

• To engage in any other charitable activity as the trustees see fit that supports people from Myanmar.

Our work

“Because of your support and strong cooperation, we are able to use funds for communication and security costs, which help us to operate more securely; and via your approval, we were also able to support the IDPs who are in need of emergency support. Thank you very much for your flexibility and active cooperation throughout this grant period.”

Advance Myanmar partner, October 2022

More than two years since the attempted military coup in Myanmar began on 1 February 2021, the military continues to attack civilians across the country, bombing from the skies, arresting activists and their families, using torture and sexual violence.

Over one million people have been displaced from their homes, over 2,400 killed and over 16,000 arrested. The military are using airstrikes to indiscriminately bomb civilians, schools, hospitals and places of worship. A large part of Advance Myanmar’s support over this year has been directed towards humanitarian aid, supporting local grassroots

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Advance Myanmar

organisations with funds for food, medicines and shelters for targeted populations and internally displaced people (IDPs), especially in ethnic areas.

We also supported activists who had to go into hiding, many having to move from safe house to safe house to avoid arrest. Several of the people Advance Myanmar has worked with have fled Myanmar all together, needing support to re-start their lives in new countries. Some, sadly, have been arrested.

It has become increasingly hard to reach people in Myanmar with support, but we are still finding ways. The military are doing everything they can to stop people accessing support.

Our support can be divided into three areas: humanitarian aid, activist support and grassroots organisation support. Because of the increasing attacks on civilians, a large portion of our support during the reporting period has been directed towards humanitarian aid.

Advance Myanmar’s support has had a real impact on the ground, and we are reaching people that other donors do not. Sometimes, we have provided the first international aid since the beginning of the attempted coup to displaced people. Our way of supporting activists is flexible and cost-effective, reaching people in need often within days of the request if we have the funds.

Because of Advance Myanmar’s support:

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Advance Myanmar

Kachin and Chin State, as well as the Sagaing region. This has ensured their survival during very difficult times.

Our mission at Advance Myanmar is to be different to other donors, working closely with our partners and responding to their needs. The local organisations are the experts, and we do everything we can to be as flexible as we can.

We are so proud that we can support them, and we are grateful to everyone who has generously given to Advance Myanmar during the last year.

Financial review

This year we were able to secure further funding to respond to the human rights and humanitarian crisis resulting from the military coup. However, we still need to broaden our donor base and secure new long-term funders. The need in Myanmar continues to grow and without new funders, we are not able to respond to all the requests for help that we receive.

We will focus future efforts on applications to grant making trusts and continue to develop individual giving.

We received grants and donations totalling £384,818 (2022: £703,324) in the year, of which £115,188 (2022: £568,506) was restricted income.

Expenditure for the year totalled £234,424 (2022: £756,361), giving net income for the year of £150,394 (2022: deficit of £53,037).

Total funds carried forward at 31 March 2023 amounted to £301,878 (2022: £151,484).

Investment policy

The charity does not currently hold sufficient funds to warrant separate investment. However, the charity banks with The Co-op, which has a sound ethical banking policy.

Reserves policy

Advance Myanmar’s income depends on donations from supporters, major donor gifts and grants from trusts. This is inevitably subject to fluctuation. Advance Myanmar requires protection against and the ability to continue operating despite catastrophic or lesser but damaging events. The financial reserves that we have set aside provide a measure of financial stability and the means to safeguard Advance Myanmar’s commitments.

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Advance Myanmar

The Board of Advance Myanmar consider it prudent that reserves held should be sufficient:

Plans for the future

We will continue to support grassroots organisations and activists. We maximise our impact by supporting organisations and communities who receive little or no support from larger donors. Working directly with local community organisations reduces costs on administration ensuring more aid reaches the communities. In addition, by working with and supporting local community organisations, we help empower communities to address their own problems rather than being passive recipients of aid. Affected communities are best placed to ensure that help goes to where it is most needed and will have the most impact.

Related Parties

Burma Campaign UK supports Advance Myanmar by sharing various resources without charge including use of office space, computer systems and telephone line.

Trustees and public benefit

The Trustees in office during the year covered by this report and at its date of publication are set out on page 6.

The Trustees confirm that we have complied with the duty in Section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.

Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities

The directors of the charitable company (the charity) are its trustees, for the purposes of charity law, and throughout this report are collectively referred to as the trustees. The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees’ report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

4

Advance Myanmar

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs and of its surplus or deficit for that period. In doing so, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Small company provisions

This report has been prepared in accordance with the provIsIons in Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.

This report has been prepared taking advantage of the small companies exemption of section 415A of the Companies Act 2006.

This report was approved by the board of trustees on 3 July 2023 and signed on its behalf.

Jennifer Holroyd

Director and Trustee

5

Advance Myanmar

Advance Myanmar

Members of the board and professional advisors

The Board of Trustees Jennifer Holroyd Bwa Bwa Phan Charity registration number 1139662 Company registration number 07368015 Registered Office 110 The Bon Marche Centre 241-251 Ferndale Road London SW9 8BJ Independent Examiner Frank McDowell FJM Accountancy Limited 23 Shackleton Court 2 Maritime Quay London E14 3QF Bankers The Co-operative Bank PLC 1 Balloon Street Manchester M60 4EP

6

Independent examlnerfs report to the trustees of Advance Myanmar Ltd charftable company Ithe Company) I report lo the charty trustees orF my examination of the ac(xunts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2023. Ro8ponslbllltle8 and basls of report As the charitls trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purFoses of company lawl you are responsible for the preparats'on of the accounts in gxordance wth the requirements of the Companies A¢t 2006 {'Ihe 2006 Act'l Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent 8xaminab'on. I report in respect of my examinalion of your charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charriios Act 2011 I'the 2011 AcY}. In carrying out my examinats'on I have folb)wed the DirectK)n8 given by the Charity Commssion und8r section 14515) Ib) of the 2011 Act. The charity's gross income exceeded £250.000 and l am qualifi•Y to undertake tho examinatson by being a qualified member of The Assc¢iation of Accounting Technicians. Ind0p•nd•nt oxamlnoV• •tatsm0nt I have completed my examination. I confimi that no matters have com8 to my attention in eonnKtion wtth thè examlnalion giving mo cause to bel￿¥0 that ￿ any material resp8cL' accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by sectlon 386 of th8 2006 Act., or the accounts do not accord those records: or the accounts do not compty wth the accounting requirements of Sect￿ 3 of the 2006 Act othér than any requirement that the ac￿Unts give a aThJ fai¢ viww whth is not a matter cOns￿ered as part of an independent examination., or the accounts have not been prepared in a(xordance with the ￿thOdS and principles of the Stslement of Recommended Prxtlce for accounting and reF#)rting by chaiits applicab￿ lo chartties preparing their accounts In accordance with the Financtal Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 102). I hav¢ no concerns and have come a¢rc*s no other matters In cOnn8Ct￿ln wllh examinalion to whlcn attentson should be drawn in Ihis repLYt in order to enabl8 a proper understanding of the aC￿Unts to be ￿sChed. Frank J McDowell FMAAT FJM Accountancy Limited 23 Shackleton Court 2 Maritime Quay London E14 3QF Date.. 20 Juty 2023

Advance Myanmar Ltd Statement of Financial Activities (incorporating Income and Expenditure Account) For the year ended 31 March 2023

2023 2022
Restricted Unrestricted Total Restricted Unrestricted Total
Notes £ £ £ £ £ £
Income
Grants and donations 2 115,188 269,630 384,818 568,506 131,542 700,048
Other income 3 - - - 3,276 - 3,276
Total income 115,188 269,630 384,818 571,782 131,542 703,324
Expenditure
Costs of generating funds 4 - 9,922 9,922 - 20,063 20,063
Expenditure on charitable activities 4 213,819 10,683 224,502 710,243 26,055 736,298
Total resources expended 213,819 20,605 234,424 710,243 46,118 756,361
Net income/(expenditure) for the year 6 (98,631) 249,025 150,394 (138,461) 85,424 (53,037)
Transfers between funds 92,265 (92,265) - 107,010 (107,010) -
Net movement in funds (6,366) 156,760 150,394 (31,451) (21,586) (53,037)
Fund balances at 1 April 2022 88,609 62,875 151,484 120,060 84,461 204,521
Fund balances at 31 March 2023 12 82,243 219,635 301,878 88,609 62,875 151,484

The statement of financial activities includes all gains or losses for the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

8

Advance Myanmar Ltd Reglstered Number: 07368015 Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2023 Notes 2023 2022 Current a55ets Debtors Cash al bank and In hand 5,995 297,388 11,924 178,387 303.383 190.311 Credltors: amounts falllrbg due wlthln one year 10 1,505 38,827 Net current assets 301,878 151,484 Net assets 301,878 151,484 Funds 12 Restrleted funds 82,243 88,609 Unrestricted funds General funds 219,635 62,875 Total funds 301,878 151.484 The directors arts s81isfied that the company is 8nliU8d lo exemption from the requir8mènt to obtain an audit under section 477 of the Gompanies Act 2006 and th81 the member h8s not requir8d the company to obtain an audit ln accordance with section 476 of Ihtr A¢1. The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with th8 requiremen15 of the Companies Act 2006 with respect lo accounting records and the preparation of accounts. The accounts have be8n pr8pared In accordance with thè provisions in Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime. The financial statements were approved by the trustees on 3 July 2023. Jennlfer Holroyd Director and Trustee

Advance Myanmar Ltd Statement of Cash Flows For the year ended 31 March 2023

Net cash used in operating activities:
Net income/(expenditure)/income for the year
Decrease/(increase) in debtors
(Decrease)/increase in creditors
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Reconciliation of net debt
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents brought forward
Cash and cash equivalents carried forward		 2023
£
150,394
5,929
(37,322)
119,001
119,001
119,001
178,387
297,388		 2022
£
(53,037)
(9,632)
36,798
(25,871)
(25,871)
(25,871)
204,258
178,387

10

Advance Myanmar Ltd Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 31 March 2023

1 Accounting policies

The principal accounting policies are summarised below. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the year.

Basis of accounting

The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant notes to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019), the Charities Act 2011 and the Companies Act 2006.

Funds structure and accounting

Restricted donations are available for the charity's use only in accordance with the terms under which, and for the purposes which, the funds were donated to the charity.

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.

The nature and purpose of each fund is set out in Note 12.

Income recognition

All income is included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:

Voluntary income is received by way of grants, donations and gifts and is included in full in the statement of financial activities when receivable.

Investment income is included when receivable.

Expenditure recognition

Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes VAT which cannot be recovered, and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates.

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include the independent examination fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity.

All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories of the statement of financial activities on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly, others are apportioned on an appropriate basis e.g. floor area or estimated usage, as set out in Note 3.

Pensions

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions are charged to the statement of financial activities as they become payable in accordance with the rules of the schemes.

11

Advance Myanmar Ltd Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 31 March 2023

2
Grants and donations received
The Barbara & Dennis Weeden Charitable Trust
Changing Ideas Limited
Anonymity requested
Burma Campaign UK
The Evan Cornish Foundation
Henry Hoare Charitable Trust
Good Care Business
OutRight Action International
Prospero World
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
General appeal
Others
3
Other income
Government Coronavirus grants		 2023
Restricted Unrestricted
Total
£
£
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
80,066
209,850
289,916
-
-
-
3,000
-
3,000
-
-
-
5,000
2,000
7,000
16,604
-
16,604
-
-
-
12,385
12,385
-
-
-
10,518
45,395
55,913
115,188
269,630
384,818
2023
Restricted Unrestricted
Total
£
£
£
-
-
-
-
-
-		 2022
Total
£
-
16,500
508,201
20,000
-
5,000
-
-
10,000
-
13,805
126,542
700,048
2022
Total
£
3,276
3,276

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Advance Myanmar Ltd Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 31 March 2023

4
Expenditure
Basis of
allocation
Costs allocated directly
to activities
Grants paid (Note 5)
Project costs - web development and IT
Fundraising costs
Support costs allocated
to activities
Staff costs
Usage
Staff training
Usage
IT, website and office costs
Usage
Bank charges
Usage
Pension and payroll processing
Usage
Governance costs:
Staff costs
Accountancy fees
Miscellaneous expenses
Total expenditure		 Fund-
Capacity
2023
raising
building
Total
£
£
£
-
158,280
158,280
-
889
889
411
-
411
9,298
59,551
68,849
-
320
320
-
2,574
2,574
213
810
1,023
-
405
405
-
1,060
1,060
-
600
600
-
13
13
9,922
224,502
234,424		 2022
Total
£
671,352
698
7,781
69,454
198
2,180
1,203
425
2,457
600
13
756,361

£213,819 (2022: £710,243) of expenditure in the year was paid out of restricted funds.

5 Grants paid

Grants paid
Support to partner organisations		 2023
£
158,280		 2022
£
671,352

The political climate in Myanmar is currently such that it is not safe to disclose the names of the charity's grant beneficiaries.

This is stated after charging:
Independent examiner's fees		 2023
£
600		 2022
£
600

13

Advance Myanmar Ltd Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 31 March 2023

7
Staff costs and numbers
Staff costs were as follows:
Salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs		 2023
2022
£
£
66,531
68,505
2,010
2,147
3,379
3,406
71,920
74,058

The Charity considers its key management personnel to be the Trustees. None of the Trustees received any remuneration or expenses during the current or preceding year.

The charity operates defined contribution pension schemes for its employees and made contributions during the year of £3,380 (2022: £3,406). At 31 March 2023 the charity owed contributions of £432 to the scheme (2022: £417).

The average weekly number of employees during the year, calculated on the basis of full time equivalents, was as follows:

Executive director
Other		 2023
2022
No.
No.
1
1
5
5
6
6

8 Taxation

As a registered charity, Advance Myanmar Ltd is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. No tax charges have arisen in the charity.

The charity is registered for Gift Aid with HM Revenue & Customs under reference number XT28698.

9
Debtors
Other debtors
10 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Accounts payable
Other creditors
Accrued expenses		 2023
£
5,995
2023
£
30
456
1,019
1,505		 2022
£
11,924
2022
£
-
36,762
2,065
38,827

14

Advance Myanmar Ltd Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 31 March 2023

11 Analysis of net assets between funds
Current year
Current assets
Current liabilities
Prior year
Current assets
Current liabilities
12 Movement in funds
At 1
April
Income
£
£
Current year
Restricted funds
Activist support and coup response grants
70,049
49,670
Dirty List
7,538
-
11,022
-
Emergency humanitarian response
-
15,518
Phan Foundation
-
50,000
88,609
115,188
Unrestricted funds:
General funds
62,875
269,630
Total funds
151,484
384,818
Strengthening
Myanmar
grassroots
organisations		 11 Analysis of net assets between funds
Current year
Current assets
Current liabilities
Prior year
Current assets
Current liabilities
12 Movement in funds
At 1
April
Income
£
£
Current year
Restricted funds
Activist support and coup response grants
70,049
49,670
Dirty List
7,538
-
11,022
-
Emergency humanitarian response
-
15,518
Phan Foundation
-
50,000
88,609
115,188
Unrestricted funds:
General funds
62,875
269,630
Total funds
151,484
384,818
Strengthening
Myanmar
grassroots
organisations		 Restricted
General
funds
funds
£
£
82,243
221,140
-
(1,505)
82,243
219,635
88,609
101,702
-
(38,827)
88,609
62,875
Expend-

iture
Transfers

£
£
(84,992)
(2,484)
(7,538)
-
(47,266)
36,244
(74,023)
58,505
-
-
(213,819)
92,265
(20,605)
(92,265)
(234,424)
-		 Total
funds
£
303,383
(1,505)
301,878
190,311
(38,827)
151,484
At 31
March
£
32,243
-
-
-
50,000
88,609
115,188		 82,243
62,875
269,630		 219,635
151,484
384,818		 301,878

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Advance Myanmar Ltd Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 31 March 2023

12 Movement in funds (continued)
At 1
Expend-
April
Income
iture
Transfers
£
£
£
£
Prior year
Restricted funds
Activist support and coup response grants
35,196
251,370
(204,638)
(11,879)
Dirty List
9,163
6,500
(7,800)
(325)
75,701
45,000
(107,429)
(2,250)
Emergency humanitarian response
-
265,636
(387,100)
121,464
Government grants
-
3,276
(3,276)
-
120,060
571,782
(710,243)
107,010
Unrestricted funds:
General funds
84,461
131,542
(46,118)
(107,010)
Total funds
204,521
703,324
(756,361)
-
Strengthening
Myanmar
grassroots
organisations		 At 31
March
£
70,049
7,538
11,022
-
-
88,609
62,875
151,484

Restricted funds

Activist support and coup response grants

Following the military coup in Myanmar on 1 February 2021, Advance Myanmar is supporting activists and organisations who need emergency funding.

Dirty List

This research project identifies British and other multinational corporations which are operating in such a way as to finance or supply the military in Burma. The published list of such companies can be used by civil society, investors, media, MPs and government to help them to hold these companies to account for their actions.

Strengthening Myanmar grassroots organisations

This project aims at strengthening the capacity of local organisations in Myanmar in their campaigning and advocacy and increase their potential in influencing domestic and international politics to support their communities. Our partner organisations represent marginalised groups including women and ethnic groups.

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Advance Myanmar Ltd Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 31 March 2023

12 Movement in funds (continued)

Emergency humanitarian response

Since the military coup we have provided emergency aid for food, shelter and medicines for ethnic minority villagers who are targeted by the Burmese military and forced to flee their homes. Since the coup, hundreds of thousands of people have been made IDPs (Internally Displaced People) in Myanmar, adding to the thousands of IDPs who were already in the country.

With the Myanmar military blocking or restricting the UN and international agencies from distributing aid, particularly in remote ethnic areas, the community organisations we work with are the only way to get aid to these populations.

Our humanitarian assistance has helped local organisations provide the following to IDPs and villagers:

Food and drinking water Wells, water tanks and water filters Cooking equipment Medicine, medical equipment and hospital dormitories Dormitories for quarantine for Covid-19 Shelters, bedding and mosquito nets Electricity via solar panels Hygiene packs Mobile health care and travelling medics to hard to reach areas

Phan Foundation

A grant to support the work of the Phan Foundation to further their charitable objectives.

17