## Advance Myanmar
## **Advance Myanmar Ltd**
Report & Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 March 2024
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|11-16|
## Advance Myanmar
The trustees have pleasure in presenting their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024.
## **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 prevent or relieve poverty in Myanmar and of refugees from Myanmar.
- To advance the education of the public in the subject of Myanmar’s many cultures, heritage and arts.
- To engage in any other charitable activity as the trustees see fit that supports people from Myanmar.
## **Our work**
During 2023, the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar deepened, driven by ongoing attacks by the Burmese military, particularly through airstrikes on villages, schools and hospitals. It is estimated that more than 3 million people have now been displaced since the military coup. As well as a humanitarian crisis, Myanmar is facing a human rights crisis as the military continues to target civil society organisations, activists, journalists, family members or anyone they perceive as opposing them.
In May, Cyclone Mocha struck Northwestern Myanmar, causing further devastation among an already suffering population. The cyclone made landfall in many areas which had been under severe attacks since the coup and where the Burmese military is no longer in direct control. The military blocked international aid agencies, including the UN, from delivering aid to many areas.
Throughout the year, Advance Myanmar has worked hard to support partners in Myanmar. We have provided flexible support to civil society organisations, enabling them to decide how to use the funding according to their priorities.
1
## Advance Myanmar
We have supported human rights defenders directly, helping them hide, flee and continue their work. We have provided humanitarian support across the country, from Sagaing Region in the north, Rakhine State in the west, Karenni State in the east to Taninthayi region in the South.
## **Our support**
Our support can be divided into three areas: humanitarian aid, support to human rights defenders and flexible support to civil society organisations.
## **Flexible support to civil society organisations**
We have adapted our support to the changing situation on the ground. When the military coup started, a lot of our support was tailored to emergency support to activists who needed to go into hiding or flee the country. As the crisis deepened and armed conflict spread to more areas of the country, more of our support went to emergency humanitarian aid, helping local groups get essential food, shelter and medicines to people who could not be reached by major humanitarian agencies.
Now, over three years since the military coup started, we have again tailored our support to focus on core financial support to a number of partners spread across Myanmar. This allows them to use our funding for essential needs of their organisation and fill gaps other donors won’t fund. It ties in with how Advance Myanmar wants to operate: as a partner, not a donor, and where the partners are in charge of their own work. In total, we have supported nine partner organisations, spread across the country, with core support. For their safety, we have not disclosed their names here.
Our partners range from human rights organisations, focusing on advocacy, to networks of groups and providers of humanitarian support. Since the military coup, most organisations have engaged in some form of humanitarian support. Our partners have used the funding for advocacy and campaigning, for support to IDPs and refugees, and to support their staff and their organisations.
## **Humanitarian aid**
Thanks to Advance Myanmar support:
- IDPs in Taninthayi region received emergency food.
- IDPs in Karenni State received emergency food and medical aid.
- 2,500 mosquito nets were distributed to IDPs in Karenni State to halt the spread of malaria, dengue fever and related diseases.
- An underground hospital in the jungle kept operating, treating victims of Burmese military attacks at great risk to their own lives. They also provided emergency food to IDPs.
2
Advance Myanmar
- Targeted emergency support reached some of the worst affected communities in Magway and Sagaing regions, Chin and Rakhine States, after Cyclone Mocha in May.
## **Support to human rights defenders**
We have:
- Funded safehouses, food, electricity and travel for activists to help them stay safe and continue their work.
- Provided food and medicines for political prisoners through a network of activists.
- Helped human rights defenders flee and relocate to other countries so they can continue their work, highlighting the abuses of the military and reporting it to the world.
- Supported remote communities with internet connections so they can communicate with each other and the outside world. Internet has been blacked out in many parts of Myanmar since the coup, which increases the danger they are in.
## **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.
## **Investment policy**
The charity does not currently hold sufficient funds to warrant 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.
3
## Advance Myanmar
The Board of Advance Myanmar consider it prudent that reserves held should be sufficient:
- to cover approximately six months’ of average core expenditure;
- to provide a measure of security for members of staff to whom Advance Myanmar has responsibilities as an employer.
## **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.
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:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
4
Advance
Myanmar
state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to
any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements-
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is
inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
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 stalements 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 l J 4
signed on its behalf.
2024 and
nnifer Holroyd
Director and Trustee
Advance Myanmar
## **Advance Myanmar**
Members of the board and professional advisors
The Board of Trustees Jennifer Holroyd Bwa Bwa Phan Jack Dunford Eileen Seymour 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 •xaminerfs rnport to tha truste of Advance IAyanmar Ltd charltable
company (the Company)
I report to the charFty trustees on my exammtion of the of tho Company for the year ended 31 March
2024.
RponsIbIlItIeS and ba818 of report
As the Chari$ trustees of the Company (and also its difoctors for the purposes of company lawl you are
responsible for the preparation of the accounts in rdance with the Wulreryts of the Companies Act 2006
{'the 2006 Act'l.
Having satisfied mysell that the aco)unts of the Company are not required to be audited und8r Part 16 of th8
2006 Act and are eligible for independenl examination. l Trport in respect of my examination of your ch8rity's
accounts as carried OLrt under seclk?n 145 of Ihe Chanties Acl 2011 (Ihe 2011 ACVI. In carrying out my
examlnabon I have followed the DirectK)ns given by the Charity Commission urthr section 14515) Ibl of the 2011
The charity's gross incoffle exrAeded £250,OLhJ and l am qualffi8d to undertake the examination by bèing a
qualified member ofThe Assockngb'on of Accounbng Techn
Indopèndenl •xamlnof• •tat•m•nt
I have Completed my examination I nfirM that no matters have come to my attèntion in nn0th'On wlth tha
examinats'on gtving me cau8e to ba118ve thal in any material respect.
accountlng records were not kept in respact of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006
Act., or
the accounts do not accord Ytti those r8(th4 or
the accounts do rK)I compty with the acoiunbry requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other
than any requirement that the accounts gNe a Irue and frairf ¥1 whlch is not a matter considered as
part ol an independent examinat. or
the accounts hav8 not been Prepared in aCrdance wth the methods and principles of the Statement
of Recommended Practic8 for ac>y)unb'ng and reporbn9 by Char0$ applicable to charlS preparing
their a¢¢ounts in ac¢oTdance the Finan¢gl Reporb'ng Starard appIlble in the UK and Republic
of Ireland {FRS 102}.
I have no conm5 arKI have come no other matters In cx)nneCtn wth Ihe examination to 1¢h attention
should be dra in this reFQrt In ord&r to enatle a prow understanding of the accounts to be reached.
k J McDowell FMAAT
FJM Accountancy Limrted
23 Shackleton Court
2 Maritim& Quay
London
E14 3QF
Date.. 14 ju 2024
## **Advance Myanmar Ltd Statement of Financial Activities (incorporating Income and Expenditure Account) For the year ended 31 March 2024**
|||||**2024**|||**2023**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**Restricted**|**Unrestricted**|**Total**|**Restricted**|**Unrestricted**|**Total**|
||**Notes**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|**Income**||||||||
|Grants and donations|2|44,041|364,278|408,319|115,188|269,630|384,818|
|**Total income**||44,041|364,278|408,319|115,188|269,630|384,818|
|**Expenditure**||||||||
|Costs of generating funds|3|-|20,735|20,735|-|9,922|9,922|
|Expenditure on charitable activities|3|124,938|502,584|627,522|213,819|10,683|224,502|
|**Total resources expended**||124,938|523,319|648,257|213,819|20,605|234,424|
|**Net (expenditure)/income for the year**|5|(80,897)|(159,041)|(239,938)|(98,631)|249,025|150,394|
|Transfers between funds||(1,346)|1,346|-|92,265|(92,265)|-|
|**Net movement in funds**||(82,243)|(157,695)|(239,938)|(6,366)|156,760|150,394|
|Fund balances at 1 April 2023||82,243|219,635|301,878|88,609|62,875|151,484|
|**Fund balances at 31 March 2024**|12|-|61,940|61,940|82,243|219,635|301,878|
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
Registered Number: 07368015
Balance Sheet
as at 31 March 2024
Notes
2024
2023
Current assets
Debtors
Cash al bank and in hand
1,919
381,564
5,995
297,388
383,483
303,383
Creditors.. amounts falllng
due within one year
161,543
1,505
Net current assets
221,940
301,878
Creditors.. amounts falling
due after more than one year
10
160,000
Net assets
61,940
301,878
Funds
12
Restrlcted funds
82,243
Unrestricted funds
General funds
61,940
219,635
Total funds
61,940
301,878
The directors are satisfied th81 the company is enlilled lo exemption from the requirement to obtain an audit
under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 and that the member has not required the company lo obtain
an audit in accordance w41h section 476 of the Act.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act
2006 with respect lo accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions in Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006
applicable lo companies subject lo the small companies regime.
The financial slalemen15 were approved by the trustees on l 1-4
Jennifer Holroyd
Director and Trustee
## **Advance Myanmar Ltd Statement of Cash Flows For the year ended 31 March 2024**
|**Net cash used in operating activities:**
Net (expenditure)/income for the year
Decrease in debtors
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
**Increase in cash and cash equivalents in the year**
**Reconciliation of net debt**
Increase in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents brought forward
**Cash and cash equivalents carried forward**|**2024**
**£**
(239,938)
4,076
320,038
84,176
84,176
84,176
297,388
381,564|**2023**
**£**
150,394
5,929
(37,322)|
|---|---|---|
|||119,001|
|||119,001|
|||119,001
178,387|
|||297,388|
10
**Advance Myanmar Ltd Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 31 March 2024**
## **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 11.
## _**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 2024**
|**2**
**3**
**Basis of**
**allocation**
Usage
Usage
Usage
Usage
Usage
**Grants and donations received**
Changing Ideas Limited
Vanguard Charitable Concierge Fund
Canonesses of St Augustine
The Evan Cornish Foundation
Henry Hoare Charitable Trust
Good Care Business
OutRight Action International
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
Anonymity requested
General appeal
Others
**Expenditure**
**Costs allocated directly**
**to activities**
Grants paid and payable (Note 4)
Project costs
Travel
Project costs - web development and IT
Fundraising costs
**Support costs allocated**
**to activities**
Staff costs
Staff training
IT, website and office costs
Bank charges
Pension and payroll processing
Governance costs:
Staff costs
Accountancy fees
Miscellaneous expenses
**Total expenditure**|**2024**
**Restricted Unrestricted**
**Total**
**£**
**£**
**£**
-
10,000
10,000
-
272,862
272,862
4,750
-
4,750
7,500
-
7,500
-
4,000
4,000
-
5,000
5,000
-
-
-
17,261
11,367
28,628
8,000
3,000
11,000
1,530
-
1,530
5,000
58,049
63,049
44,041
364,278
408,319
**Fund-**
**Capacity**
**2024**
**raising**
**building**
**Total**
**£**
**£**
**£**
-
555,117
555,117
-
3,047
3,047
-
4,598
4,598
-
934
934
-
-
-
20,257
59,145
79,402
-
-
-
-
2,092
2,092
478
451
929
-
394
394
-
1,131
1,131
-
600
600
-
13
13
20,735
627,522
648,257|**2023**
**Total**
**£**
-
289,916
-
3,000
-
7,000
16,604
12,385
-
-
55,913|
|---|---|---|
|||384,818|
|||**2023**
**Total**|
|||**£**
158,280
-
-
889
411
68,849
320
2,574
1,023
405
1,060
600
13|
|||234,424|
£124,938 (2023: £213,819) of expenditure in the year was paid out of restricted funds.
12
**Advance Myanmar Ltd Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 31 March 2024**
|**4**
**Grants paid and payable**
Support to partner organisations|**2024**
**£**
555,117|**2023**
**£**
158,280|
|---|---|---|
The political climate in Myanmar is currently such that it is not safe to disclose the names of the charity's grant beneficiaries.
## **5 Net (expenditure)/income for the year**
|This is stated after charging:
Independent examiner's fees
**6**
**Staff costs and numbers**
Staff costs were as follows:
Salaries
Redundancy
Social security costs
Pension costs|**2024**
**£**
600
**2024**
**£**
73,772
3,692
3,562
3,488
84,514|**2023**
**£**
600|
|---|---|---|
|||**2023**
**£**
66,531
-
2,010
3,379|
|||71,920|
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 £3,488 (2023: £3,379). At 31 March 2024 the charity owed contributions of £451 to the scheme (2023: £432).
The average weekly number of employees during the year, calculated on the basis of full time equivalents, was as follows:
|Executive director
Other|**2024**
**2023**
**No.**
**No.**
1
1
5
5
6
6|
|---|---|
## **7 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.
13
**Advance Myanmar Ltd Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 31 March 2024**
|**8**
**Debtors**
Other debtors
**9**
**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
Accounts payable
Grant making commitments
Social security and other taxation
Other creditors
Accrued expenses
**10 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year**
Grant making commitments
**11 Analysis of net assets between funds**
**Current year**
Current assets
Current liabilities
Long term liabilities
**Prior year**
Current assets
Current liabilities|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
-
-
-|**2024**
**£**
1,919
**2024**
**£**
30
160,000
439
474
600
161,543
**2024**
**£**
160,000
**General**
**funds**
**£**
383,483
(161,543)
(160,000)
61,940
221,140
(1,505)
219,635|**2023**
**£**
5,995|
|---|---|---|---|
||||**2023**
**£**
30
-
-
456
1,019|
||||1,505|
||||**2023**
**£**
-|
||||**Total**
**funds**
**£**
383,483
(161,543)
(160,000)|
||-||61,940|
||82,243
-||303,383
(1,505)|
||82,243||301,878|
14
## **Advance Myanmar Ltd Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 31 March 2024**
|**12 Movement in funds**
**At 1**
**Expend-**
**April**
**Income**
**iture**
**Transfers**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**Current year**
**Restricted funds**
Human rights defenders
32,243
7,500
(39,368)
(375)
Humanitarian response
-
36,541
(35,570)
(971)
Phan Foundation
50,000
-
(50,000)
-
82,243
44,041
(124,938)
(1,346)
**Unrestricted funds:**
General funds
219,635
364,278
(523,319)
1,346
Total funds
301,878
408,319
(648,257)
(1,346)
**Prior year**
**Restricted funds**
Activist support and coup response grants
70,049
49,670
(84,992)
(2,484)
Dirty List
7,538
-
(7,538)
-
11,022
-
(47,266)
36,244
Emergency humanitarian response
-
15,518
(74,023)
58,505
Phan Foundation
-
50,000
-
-
88,609
115,188
(213,819)
92,265
**Unrestricted funds:**
General funds
62,875
269,630
(20,605)
(92,265)
Total funds
151,484
384,818
(234,424)
-
Strengthening
Myanmar
grassroots
organisations|**At 31**
**March**
**£**
-
-
-|
|---|---|
||-|
||61,940|
||61,940|
||32,243
-
-
-
50,000|
||82,243|
||219,635|
||301,878|
## **Restricted funds**
## _**Human rights defenders**_
We provide support directly to human rights defenders, helping them to stay safe and continue their work.
## _**Humanitarian response**_
We provide humanitarian aid at times of crisis and to support civilians who have been targeted by the Burmese military and forced to flee their homes. We have provided humanitarian support across the country, from Sagaing Region in the north, Rakhine State in the west, Karenni State in the east to Taninthayi region in the South.
## _**Phan Foundation**_
A grant to support the work of the Phan Foundation to further their charitable objectives.
15
**Advance Myanmar Ltd Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 31 March 2024**
## **12 Movement in funds (continued)**
## _**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.
16