2024-04-30-accounts - Stakeholder Democracy Network

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STAKEHOLDER DEMOCRACY NETWORK (Limited by guarantee)

DIRECTORS’ AND TRUSTEES’ REPORT

AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2024

Company No: 05101121 Charity No: 1148143

STAKEHOLDER DEMOCRACY NETWORK (Limited by guarantee)

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS

C O N T E N T S

STATUTORY INFORMATION

	Page
Directors’ and Trustees’ Report	2 - 6
Independent Auditor’s Report	7 - 9
Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities	10
Statement of Financial Activities	11
Group Balance Sheet	12
Statement of Cash Flows and Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows	13
Notes to the Accounts	14 - 31

STAKEHOLDER DEMOCRACY NETWORK

(Limited by guarantee)

DIRECTORS’ AND TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2024

The trustees are pleased to present their annual consolidated directors’ and trustees report together with the financial statements of the Stakeholder Democracy Network (the ‘Charity’ or ‘Company’) and its subsidiaries (together the ‘Group’) for the year ended 30[th] April 2024, which are also prepared to meet the requirements for a directors’ report and Companies Act purposes.

The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statements 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) (effective 1 January 2019).

OUR PURPOSE AND ACTIVITIES

Our vision is a peaceful, prosperous and pollution-free Niger Delta.

Our mission is to support the efforts of those affected by the extractive industries and weak governance. We stand alongside citizens, providing expert and innovative solutions to drive sustainable and inclusive development. We work with communities and engage with governments, companies and other stakeholders to ensure the promotion and protection of human rights, including the right to a healthy environment. Our work currently focuses on the Niger Delta.

The Stakeholder Democracy Network group supports the efforts of those affected by the extractives industry and weak governance. We work with governments, companies, communities and other stakeholders to ensure the promotion and protection of human rights. The group has operated for over 20 years in the Niger Delta and has offices in Port Harcourt (Nigeria) and London (UK).

The group has one subsidiary registered in Nigeria and whose activities aid Stakeholder Democracy Network to carry out its objectives in Nigeria. This is the Niger Delta Stakeholders Initiative for Community Development and Empowerment, a company registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in the Federal Republic of Nigeria with the company number CAC/IT/NO 73022

Achievement and activities

This fiscal year had some significant economic challenges that had the potential to affect our work due to high inflation rates which affected the project budgets and made it mandatory to revise our workplans and even project strategies. However, some donors were gracious enough to adjust our budgets so we could ensure that our work went on unhindered. To compound the economic situation, the political battles in Rivers state, specifically between the former Governor and now FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara affected the security situation and consequently governance as Commissioners loyal to Wike kept resigning while there were deliberate efforts by others within the government to undermine the authority of the Governor. This affected our governance work which focused on working with the Rivers state government to develop youth development and gender policies as well as promote the passage of the Persons with Disabilities Welfare Enhancement Amendment Bill. The political upheavals within the government caused significant delays in achieving these deliverables and efforts were made to extend the project for another six months so we could finalise these activities.

With a new administration sworn-in on May 29[th] , 2023, efforts were made by SDN to engage with the 10[th] National Assembly since one of our key projects required that we seek amendments to the Petroleum Industry Act and include new provisions on the divestment of assets by international oil companies and also the Host Community Development Trust process. The political environment at the Federal level required that we build new relationships with relevant Ministers and ensure they are mutually beneficial and built on trust. This required significant changes to our engagements as new agencies such as the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and ministries such as Marine and Blue Economy were created as a result of legislation and political expediency respectively.

Although these changes to the political and economic environment posed some challenges, to our work, we were able to implement the following activities:

We continued our work on monitoring the HYPREP Clean up process in Ogoniland where we were able to engage with HYPREP to push for the implementation of recommendations made in our bi-annual progress reports. As a result, HYPREP made a commitment to apply the best remediation technology on simple sites where revegetation is poor. Some of the simple sites visited by SDN showed poor revegetation and needed to be revisited or even

STAKEHOLDER DEMOCRACY NETWORK

(Limited by guarantee)

DIRECTORS’ AND TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2024

reclassified as medium complex to ensure that HYPREP contractors adopt new and effective remediation processes that can substantially reduce contamination and promote and adequate level of remediation.

SDN’s engagements with the 10[th] National Assembly House Committees on Environment, Host Communities and Petroleum Resources were quite fruitful as they made commitments to push for the amendment of the Petroleum Industry Act to include clauses that can govern the regulation of the divestment and sale of oil company assets following concerns by civil society organizations over the lack of transparency and accountability in the process. SDN also made recommendations to amend Section 3 of the PIA which focuses on the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) during a roundtable organized with these committees during the reporting period.
SDN published a handbook to guide the operationalisation of the Host Community Development Trusts. This handbook was developed by a Working Group consisting of oil companies, community representatives and civil society organisations with input from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). The handbook includes steps for establishing an HCDT as indicated in the NUPRC Guidelines, outline of the structure of HCDTs and the role of each stakeholder, HCDT mechanisms for Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning as well as a livelihoods guide. This handbook was distributed to several HCDTs, select members of the 10th National Assembly, oil companies and civil society organisations.
238 beneficiaries of the digital skills training programme graduated after they completed 3-month courses on data analytics, graphic design, web development and digital marketing. SDN also launched the E2S platform which is an Employment Extensions Service which curates’ information on business tips, internships and employment opportunities. We successfully concluded CV/Cover letter Writing classes for the quarter as part of our ongoing efforts to enhance support through our Employment Extension Service (E2S).

Public benefit statement

In shaping our objectives for the year and planning our activities, the trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit, including the guidance ‘public benefit: running a charity (PD2). The achievements and activities above demonstrate the public benefit arising through the group’s activities.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The Statement of Financial Activities showed a deficit of £186,958 (2023 –surplus of £34,696) for the year and reserves stand at £54,381 (2023 - £241,339).

The financial position of the group was challenged, but ultimately maintained, during the reporting period as we, like most other organisations, felt the impact of the global economy and the international development sector. The group benefited from some long-term funding contracts which helped ensure consistency of funding during the audited period. We also secured new funding relationships through the audited period which sets us up well to further leverage these and carry forward our fundraising momentum into future opportunities.

Principal funding sources

The main funding sources for the group are grants awarded from government agencies. During the period under review the main grant authorities were The Netherlands Embassy in Abuja, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office via ActionAid in Nigeria, and The Ford Foundation and the Palladium.

Investment powers and policy

Under the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the group has the power to invest in any way the Trustees see fit.

Reserves policy

The Trustees consider it prudent to maintain an adequate balance of unrestricted reserves to cover the group’s contractual commitments and provide a sound base for the future. This should be equivalent to a minimum level of 2 months of the annual budget. Our targeted reserves is 2 months of expenditure standing at around £50,000 for the Group. At the 30th April 2024 the unrestricted reserves not invested in fixed assets totalled £41,595 (2023 – £73,131).

For the purposes of short and medium term financial management, the trustees are closely monitoring the management for working capital and the working capital position is in line with their policy of building free reserves target level.

STAKEHOLDER DEMOCRACY NETWORK

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DIRECTORS’ AND TRUSTEES’ REPORT (Cont/d)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2024

FUNDRAISING STANDARD

Stakeholder Democracy Network is not registered with the Fundraising Regulator and the charity has not carried out any significant fundraising activities.

FUTURE ACTIVITIES

SDN will continue to build partnerships with government institutions such as the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Parliamentary Committees on Environment, Host Communities, Petroleum Resources and other related stakeholders who have the power and influence to address the issues that SDN works on such as economic diversification, the environment and governance. We will also focus on developing a prototype for the methane tracker after we have finalised the terms of reference for the consultants based in the United Kingdom. We are also expected to complete our Handbook which will provide practical steps towards ensuring the effective implementation of Host Community Development Trusts which will be co-created with a Working Group comprising civil society organisations, oil companies and community representatives. It is expected that the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) will provide their input and also adopt it as a guide for the Trusts. At least 250 women -owned businesses and unemployed females will benefit from a three -month digital skills training programme in Rivers state where we are expected to launch the Employment Extension Service which will curate information on employment, internship and remote work opportunities for women in Tech.

The donor landscape within Nigeria continues to evolve and significant efforts will be made to assess the context and the issues that continue to arise in the polity, the economy and even the environment (climate change). SDN continues to engage with communities in Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta, assessing their needs and working with public institutions to support systemic change in governance so that vulnerable groups such as women, youth and persons with disabilities can benefit from the dividends of democracy. The high inflation rates and continuous devaluation of the naira pose new challenges and also new opportunities in our work as we focus on economic diversification and empowering vulnerable groups such as women, young people and persons with disabilities to build businesses or livelihoods that are not only resilient to economic shocks but to climate change as well

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Company Number: 05101121

Charity Number: 1148143

Directors and Trustees:

J D’Angelo - Chairperson Professor M Anikpo R J Ekperi I D Pedro D M Pearson

Secretary: Adam Philip Heal (appointed 1st of August 2023) C A Laing (resigned in July 2023)

Senior Management : C A Laing – Secretary (resigned in July 2023) Adam Heal – Secretary (appointed 1st of August 2023)

Maria Rizou, Head of Finance

Registered Office: The Green House, 244-254 Cambridge Heath Road, London, E2 9DA

Website: https://www.stakeholderdemocracy.org/

Auditors: SCB (Accountants) Ltd, 31 Sackville Street, Manchester, M1 3LZ

Bankers: Lloyds Bank Plc, Thame Branch, 13 Cornmarket Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 2BN

STAKEHOLDER DEMOCRACY NETWORK

(Limited by guarantee)

DIRECTORS’ AND TRUSTEES’ REPORT (Cont/d)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2024

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

Stakeholder Democracy Network is a company limited by guarantee and not having a capital divided by shares.

The company was incorporated on 14[th] April 2004 and registered as a charity on 16[th ] July 2012. It is a registered charity constituted as a limited company under the Memorandum and Articles of Association. The Charity’s registration number is 1148143 and the company registration number is 05101121.

Appointment of trustees

As set out in the Articles of Association, the Chair of the Trustees is nominated by existing Trustees. The Directors of the organisation are also the Trustees for the purposes of charity law.

The Board of Trustees has the power to appoint additional Trustees as it considers fit to do so, in line with the company’s governing documents.

The Trustees in office in the year are set out on page 3. The Trustees have no beneficial interest in the group other than as members. The Trustees are also the directors of the Parent company. All of the Trustees are members of the Parent company and guarantee to contribute £1 each in the event of a winding up.

Trustee induction and training

The Trustees maintain a good working knowledge of charity and company law and best practise through their professional and business interests. New Trustees are given copies of the Memorandum and Articles of Association

Organisation

The Board of Trustees, which comprises five members, administers the group. The Board meets periodically to review the affairs of the group and to consider strategies and operations. To facilitate activities, the Board have delegated authority, within terms of delegation approved by the Trustees, for operational matters including financial, employment and other related activities. All decisions relating to strategy and policy are made by the Board of Trustees.

Risk management

The Management Committee has conducted a review of the major risk to which the group is exposed. A risk register has been established and is updated at least annually. Where appropriate, systems or procedures have been established to mitigate the risks the group faces.

Related parties

The Trustees have no beneficial interest in the company other than as members.

Four of the Trustees (J D’Angelo, I D Pedro, Professor M Anikpo and R J Ekperi) are also Trustees of Niger Delta Stakeholders Initiative for Community Development and Empowerment which is one of Stakeholder Democracy Network’s subsidiary entities operating in Nigeria.

Pay policy for senior staff

The arrangements for setting the pay and remuneration of the group’s staff is done by the group’s Management Team and included within the company’s budgeting process. The setting of pay and remuneration for the Executive Director is approved by the Board and Directors.

Members of the Management Committee

Members of the Management Committee, who are directors for the purpose of company law and trustees for the purpose of charity law, who served during the year and up to the date of this report are set out on page 4.

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DIRECTORS’ AND TRUSTEES’ REPORT (Cont/d)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2024

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES

The Trustees (who are also directors of Stakeholder Democracy Network for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulation.

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the Directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of its income and expenditure for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Directors are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether applicable UK 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 charitable company will continue in business.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and 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.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the group and the financial information included on the group’s website in accordance with legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements.

STATEMENT OF DISCLOSURE TO AUDITOR

So far as the Directors are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the company’s auditors are unaware. Additionally, the Directors have taken all the necessary steps that we ought to have taken as directors in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the group’s auditors are aware of that information.

AUDITORS

A resolution will be proposed and agreed at the Annual General Meeting that SCB (Accountants) Ltd be re-appointed as auditors of the Charity for the ensuing year.

SMALL COMPANIES EXEMPTION

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

APPROVAL

This report was approved by the Board of Trustees and signed on its behalf by:

28[th] February 2025

J D’Angelo CHAIRPERSON

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF

STAKEHOLDER DEMOCRACY NETWORK

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Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Stakeholder Democracy Network for the year ended 30[th] April 2024, which comprise the Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities (Summary Income and Expenditure Account), Statement of Financial Activities (Summary Income and Expenditure Account), the Consolidated Balance Sheet, the Statement of Cash Flows and Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of 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:

give a true and fair view of the state of the group’s and charitable company’s affairs as at 30[th] April 2024 and of the group’s and charitable company’s incoming resources and application of resources, including the group’s and charitable company’s income and expenditure, for the year then ended;
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

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 company 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.

Material uncertainty related to going concern

We draw attentions to note 1 of the financial statements, which explains that the trustees intend to liquidate/ cease the charity’s UK operations from February 2025 and therefore do not consider it to be appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements. Accordingly, the financial statements have been prepared on a basis other than going concern. Our opinion is not modified in respect of this matter.

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 directors are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, 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 audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. 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.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

The information given in the directors’ report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements: and
The directors’ report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF (Contd/)

STAKEHOLDER DEMOCRACY NETWORK

(Limited by guarantee)

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors’ report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

adequate accounting records have not been kept or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us;
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns;
certain disclosures of trustees’ remuneration specified by law are not made;
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit;
the trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime and take advantage of the small companies exemption in preparing the Directors’ and Trustees’ Report.

Responsibilities of directors

As explained more fully in the directors’ responsibilities statements, the directors 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 directors 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 directors are responsible for assessing the groups and charitable company’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 directors either intend to liquidate the company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

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.

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:

Based on our discussions with the charity’s management and the Trustees, we identified that the following laws and regulations are significant to the entity:

Those laws and regulations considered to have a direct effect on the financial statements include UK financial
reporting standards, Charity Act 2011 and SORP 2019 regulations
Those laws and regulations for which non-compliance may be fundamental to the operating aspects of the charity and therefore may have a material effect on the financial statements include compliance with the charitable objectives, public benefit, safeguarding and health and safety legislation.

These matters were discussed amongst the engagement team at the planning stage and the team remained alert to non-compliance throughout the audit.

Our procedures in relation to fraud included but were not limited to: inquires of management whether they have any knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud, and discussions amongst the audit team regarding risk of fraud such as opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of financial statements. We determined that the principal risks related to posting manual journal entries to manipulate financial performance and management bias through judgements in accounting estimates. We also addressed the risk of management override of internal controls, including testing journals and appropriateness of other entries in the nominal ledger; reviewing transactions around the end of the reporting period; and evaluating whether there was evidence of bias by the directors that represented a risk of material misstatement due to fraud.

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF (Contd/)

STAKEHOLDER DEMOCRACY NETWORK

(Limited by guarantee)

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company's members 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 company and the company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

JEFFREY BOR FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor) 31 SACKVILLE STREET For and on behalf of SCB (Accountants) Ltd MANCHESTER CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS M1 3LZ STATUTORY AUDITOR

Date : 28 February 2025

(Limited by guarantee)

STAKEHOLDER DEMOCRACY NETWORK

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2024

Notes Income Grants and donations 2 Income from charitable activities: Grants and contracts 3 Investment income: Bank Interest Total income Expenditure Expenditure on charitable activities 6 , 18 Total expenditure Net income/(expenditure) and net movement in funds for the year before transfers Transfers between funds 18 Net income/(expenditure) and net movement in funds for the year after transfers Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Prior period adjustment Total funds, carried forward 18	Unrestricted Funds £ 2,876 - 106 2,982 30,167 30,167 (27,185) 242 (26,943) 81,324 - 54,381	Restricted Funds £ - 872,323 - 872,323 1,032,096 1,032,096 (159,773) (242) (160,015) 160,015 - -	Total 2024 £ 2,876 872,323 106 875,305 1,062,263 1,062,263 (186,958) - (186,958) 241,339 - 54,381	Total 2023 £ 1,909 1,077,917 46
				1,079,872
				1,045,176
				1,045,176
				34,696 -
				34,696 206,643 -
				241,339

The Statement of Financial Activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006 .

CONTINUING OPERATIONS

None of the company’s activities were acquired or discontinued during the above two financial periods.

TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES

The company has no recognised gains or losses other than the above movement in funds for the above two financial years.

The notes on pages 14 to 31 form part of these accounts.

(Limited by guarantee)

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STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2024

Unrestricted Funds £ 108,208 - 106	Restricted Funds £ - 244,938 -	Total 2024 £ 108,208 244,938 106	Total 2023 £ 120,121 343,508 11
108,314	244,938	353,252	463,640
131,347	244,938	376,285	451,128
131,347	244,938	376,285	451,128
(23,033) -	- -	(23,033) -	12,512 -
(23,033) 23,736	- -	(23,033) 23,736	12,512 11,224
703	-	703	23,736

The Statement of Financial Activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006 .

CONTINUING OPERATIONS

None of the company’s activities were acquired or discontinued during the above two financial periods.

TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES

The company has no recognised gains or losses other than the above movement in funds for the above two financial years.

The notes on pages 14 to 31 form part of these accounts.

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GROUP BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 30 APRIL 2024

Notes FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 14 Investments 15 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 16 Cash at bank and in hand Total Current Assets Liabilities Creditors falling due within one year 17 Net Current Assets/(Liabilities) Net assets The funds of the charity: Unrestricted funds 18 & 19 Restricted funds 18 & 19 Total Charity Funds	GROUP 2024 £ 12,786 - 12,786 71,177 78,078 149,255 (107,660) 41,595 54,381 54,381 - 54,381	GROUP 2023 £ 8,193 - 8,193 56,524 853,028 909,552 (676,406) 233,146 241,339 81,324 160,015 241,339	CHARITY 2024 £ 3,437 - 3,437 12,030 32,750 44,780 (47,514) (2,734) 703 703 - 703	CHARITY 2023 £ 3,645 -
				3,645
				9,705 110,631
				120,336
				(100,245)
				20,091

				23,736
				23,736 -
				23,736

The Trustees have prepared group accounts in accordance with Section 398 of the Companies Act 2006 and Section 138 of the Charities Act 2011. These accounts are prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act relating to small companies and constitute the annual accounts required by the Companies Act 2006 and are for circulation to members of the company.

These accounts were approved by the Board of Directors and Trustees on 28[th] February 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

…………………………………………………………. J D’Angelo (Chairperson)

Company Registration No: 05101121

The notes on pages 14 to 31 form part of these accounts.

STAKEHOLDER DEMOCRACY NETWORK

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STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEAR 30[TH] APRIL 2024

Notes Cash inflow / (outflow) in operating activities 21 Cash flows from investing activities Interest income Purchase of tangible fixed assets Disposal of tangible fixed asset Cash provided by / (used in) investing activities Increase / (decrease) in cash & cash equivalents in the year Cash & cash equivalents at the beginning of the year Total cash & cash equivalents at the end of the year	GROUP 2024 £ (809,494) 105 (10,591) 45,030 34,544 (774,950) 853,028 78,078	GROUP 2023 £ 364,880 46 (1,891) 38,574 36,729 401,609 451,419 853,028	CHARITY 2024 £ (77,394)	CHARITY 2023 £ 99,096
			106 (593) -	11 (790) -
			(487)	(779)

			(77,880)	98,317
			110,631	12,314
			32,750	110,631

STAKEHOLDER DEMOCRACY NETWORK

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NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2024

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

1.1 Basis of preparation of accounts

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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) (effective 1 January 2019) – (Charity SORP (FRS 102) Revised), The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006. The group has opted for an early adoption of Charity SORP (FRS 102) Revised.

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 £.

Stakeholder Democracy Network meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.

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 note(s) to these accounts.

1.2 Preparation of accounts on a going concern basis

The Group’s Financial Statements show net deficit for the year of £186,958 (2023 -surplus of £34,696) and unspent reserves of £54,381 (2023- 241,339).

The Trustees have expressed their intention to cease UK operations from February 2025 but the company will be in existence until being fully struck off from company house. On this basis, the financial statements have been prepared using other than going concern basis.

1.3 Group financial statements

The group financial statements consolidate the accounts of Stakeholder Democracy Network (the ‘company’) and its subsidiary, Niger Delta Stakeholders Initiative for Community Development and Empowerments. The Directors have taken advantage of the provisions of Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and do not present an individual profit and loss account for the company.

1.4 Income

Income is recognised when the group has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and amount can be measured reliably.

Income received by way of grants, donations and legacies are included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when received, unless they relate to a specified future period, in which case they are deferred.
Income from charitable activities received by way of revenue grants and donations are credited to restricted incoming resources on the earlier date of when they are received or when they are receivable, unless they relate to a specified future period, in which case they are deferred.
Grants, donations and legacies of general nature which are not conditional on delivering certain levels of service are included as part of Grants, Donations and Legacies as shown under note 2 and 3.
Membership fees are credited to incoming resources in the period to which they relate.
Facility hire income is recognised as earned (that is, as the related goods or services are provided)
Investment income is included when receivable.
Income from activities includes income recognised as earned (as the related goods and services are provided) under contract. Course fees received in advance for the subsequent year are recognised as deferred income until the following year.

STAKEHOLDER DEMOCRACY NETWORK

(Limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Cont/d)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2024

1.5 Volunteers and donated services and facilities

Donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised as income when the group has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use by the group of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), the general volunteer time of the Friends is not recognised and refers to the trustees’ annual report for more information about their contribution.

On receipt, donated professional services and donated facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the group which is the amount the group would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt. No such donations were received during the year.

1.6 Expenditure recognition and irrecoverable VAT

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:

(a) Costs of generating funds are those cost incurred in attracting voluntary income, running a bar and those incurred in other trading activities that raise funds.
(b) Expenditure on charitable activities includes the costs directly associated holding classes, events and running a sailing centre, to further the purposes of the group and their associated support costs.

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

Expenditure is recognised when a liability is incurred. Contractual arrangements and performance related grants are recognised as goods or services are supplied.

1.7 Allocation of support costs

Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the group but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include back office costs, finance and administration personnel, payroll and governance costs which support the group’s programmes and activities. These costs have been allocated between cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities. The basis on which support costs have been allocated are set out in note 6 and 8.

1.8 Funds structure

The general fund comprises those monies, which may be used toward meeting the charitable objectives of the company at the discretion of the Management Board.

The restricted funds are monies raised for, and their use restricted to, a specific purpose or donations subject to donor imposed conditions.

1.9 Tangible Fixed Assets And Depreciation

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Individual fixed assets costing £500 or more are capitalised at cost.

Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost or valuation of fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following bases:

Fixtures, fittings & equipment - 20% Net book value Motor vehicle - 25% Net book value

1.10 Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

STAKEHOLDER DEMOCRACY NETWORK

(Limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Cont/d)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2024

1.11 Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand includes cash deposits and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

1.12 Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the group has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

1.13 Pension costs

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme on behalf of its employees. Contributions are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period in which they are payable. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.

1.14 Financial instruments

The Trust only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

1.15 Operating leases

The charity classifies the lease of property as operating leases. The rentals are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight-line basis over the lease duration. No assets are held under hire purchase agreements.

1.16 Judgement and key sources of estimation uncertainty

In the application of the charitable company’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 company makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates will, be definition, seldom equal the related actual results. The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying a mounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are addressed below.

(i) Useful economic lives of tangible assets

The annual depreciation charge for tangible assets are sensitive to changes in the estimated useful economic lives and residual values of the assets. The useful economic lives and residual values are re-assessed annually. They are amended when necessary. 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.

(iii) Allocation of shared cost between multiple activities

Support costs relate to those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly relate to charitable activities. Support costs include back-office costs, finance, personnel, payroll and governance costs which support the charity’s programmes and activities. These costs have been allocated between cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities. All the general support and governance costs are allocated to activities at different percentages, on the basis of staff time relating to each activity.

STAKEHOLDER DEMOCRACY NETWORK

(Limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Cont/d)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2024

2. GRANTS AND DONATIONS

GRANTS AND DONATIONS
Space for Change Nigel Delta Stakeholders Initiative for Community Development and Empowerment	Unrestricted Funds £ 2,876 2,876 Unrestricted Funds £ 108,208 108,208	Restricted Total Funds 2024 £ £ - 2,876 - 2,876 Restricted Total Funds 2024 £ £ - 108,208 - 108,208 GROUP CHARITY	Total 2023 £ 1,909
			1,909
			Total 2023 £ 120,121
			120,121

The donations income in 2023 totalling £1,909 for the Group and £120,121 for the Charity was attributed to unrestricted funds.

STAKEHOLDER DEMOCRACY NETWORK

(Limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Cont/d)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2024

3. GRANTS AND CONTRACTS INCOME – GROUP

Action Aid Ford Foundation Foreign & Common wealth Office SOMO Greenpeace European Union/SFCG Netherlands Embassy - HYPREP & SEPAG Palladium/SCALE OSIWA University of Copenhagen Other Income	Unrestricted Funds £ - - - - - - - - - - -	Restricted Total Funds 2024 £ £ 7,756 7,756 101,407 101,407 85,000 85,000 42,370 42,370 3,473 3,473 263,645 263,645 320,206 320,206 43,534 43,534 - - 4,933 4,933 - - 872,323 872,323 GROUP	Restricted Total Funds 2024 £ £ 7,756 7,756 101,407 101,407 85,000 85,000 42,370 42,370 3,473 3,473 263,645 263,645 320,206 320,206 43,534 43,534 - - 4,933 4,933 - - 872,323 872,323 GROUP	Total 2023 £ 232,196 69,678 - - - 61,164 560,956 97,289 15,000 41,577 57
	-	872,323	872,323	1,077,917

Grants and contracts income in 2023 totalling £1,077,917 consist of £57 unrestricted funds and £1,077,860 restricted funds.

GRANTS AND CONTRACTS INCOME – CHARITY

Action Aid Ford Foundation Foreign & Common wealth Office SOMO Greenpeace	Unrestricted Funds £ - - - - -	Restricted Total Funds 2024 £ £ 7,756 7,756 101,407 101,407 85,000 85,000 42,370 42,370 3,473 3,473 CHARITY	Restricted Total Funds 2024 £ £ 7,756 7,756 101,407 101,407 85,000 85,000 42,370 42,370 3,473 3,473 CHARITY	Total 2023 £ 232,196 69,678 - - -
University of Copenhagen	-	4,933	4,933	41,577
Other Income	-	-	-	57
	-	244,938	244,938	343,508

Grants and contracts income in 2023 totalling £343,508 consist of £57 unrestricted funds and £343,451 restricted funds.

4. TAXATION

Stakeholder Democracy Network is a registered charity in the UK and its subsidiary Niger Delta Stakeholders Initiative for Community Development and Empowerments is a not-for-profit company registered in Nigeria. Therefore, both are exempt from corporation tax on income and gains to the extent they are applied to its charitable objects.

STAKEHOLDER DEMOCRACY NETWORK

(Limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Cont/d)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2024

5. NET INCOME FROM TRADING ACTIVITIES OF SUBSIDIARY

During the year, the Charity had one subsidiary:

Niger Delta Stakeholders Initiative for Community Development and Empowerments (NDSICDE) is a company limited by guarantee registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The subsidiary was incorporated on 29 October 2014 with the company number CAC/IT/NO73022 and commenced its operations in the year 2014. The Charity is the ultimate controlling party of the subsidiary company as it has control over its operations as prescribed by the subsidiary’s constitution. The purpose of the subsidiary is to aid Stakeholder Democracy Network carry out their objectives in Nigeria.

Set out below is a summary of the subsidiary’s results before intra group adjustments for the year.

Income Income from charitable activities: Grants and contracts Investment income: Bank Interest Total Income Expenditure Expenditure on charitable activities Total expenditure Net income/(expenditure) and net movement in funds for the year Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Prior period adjustment Net Adjustments in Retained Earnings Total funds, carried forward	Charitable Subsidiary 2024 £ 740,368 -	Charitable Subsidiary 2023 £ 777,529 35
	740,368	777,564
	(675,244)	(742,509)
	(675,244)	(742,509)
	65,124 228,006 (80,484) (116,815)	35,055 195,859 - (2,908)
	95,831	228,006

STAKEHOLDER DEMOCRACY NETWORK

(Limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Cont/d)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2024

6. ANALYSIS OF EXPENDITURE – GROUP

Basis of allocation *Costs directly allocated to activities:* Staff costs Direct Consultancy Direct Travel and motor expenses Direct Premises Direct Other direct costs Direct Donations and grants (Note 10) Direct Support costs (Note 7) Governance costs (Note 7) Total resources expended	Capacity Building & Awareness Raising £ 284,144 67,930 146,580 17,123 138,127 70,700 326,519 - 1,051,121 GROUP	Governance £ - - - - - - - 11,141	Total 2024 £ 284,144 67,930 146,580 17,123 138,127 70,700 326,519 11,141	Total 2023 £ 349,010 49,853 139,238 16,304 186,786 25,573 265,671 12,741
		11,141	1,062,263	1,045,176

Of the £1,062,263 expenditure in 2024 (2023 - £1,045,176), £30,167 was charged to unrestricted funds (2023 - £-2,843) and £1,032,096 to restricted funds (2023 - £1,048,019).

7. ANALYSIS OF SUPPORT AND GOVERNANCE COSTS - GROUP

The Group initially identifies the costs of its support functions. It then identifies those costs which relate to the governance function. All the general support and governance costs have been apportioned to the various charitable activities on the basis of transactions, allocated to each activity.

General and office finance staff Premises Travel, accommodation and insurance Professional fees Office supplies and communications Computer and Information technology Depreciation Bad debts written off Advertising Bank charges Foreign exchange (gains) / loss Repairs and maintenance Accounting fees Audit fees	Support costs £ 43,573 13,674 80,288 1,605 23,115 271 4,313 1,924 13,135 2,643 140,559 1,419 - - 326,519	Governance costs 2024 £ £ - 43,573 - 13,674 151 80,439 - 1,605 - 23,115 - 271 - 4,313 - 1,924 - 13,135 - 2,643 - 140,559 - 1,419 1,440 1,440 9,550 9,550 11,141 337,660 GROUP	2023 £ 41,897 54,128 66,678 3,442 29,365 373 12,543 102 18,257 3,671 30,807 4,559 1,440 11,150
			278,412

STAKEHOLDER DEMOCRACY NETWORK

(Limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Cont/d)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2024

8. ANALYSIS OF EXPENDITURE – CHARITY

CHARITY

Basis of allocation *Costs directly allocated to activities:* Staff costs Direct Consultancy Direct Travel and motor expenses Direct Premises Direct Other direct costs Direct Support costs (Note 9) Governance costs (Note 9)	Nigerian Subsidiary £ 29,324 3,818 9,164 10,386 6,300 17,373 -	Capacity Building & Awareness Raising £ 174,291 6,185 30,147 17,123 39,242 24,743 - 291,730	Governance £ - - - - - - 8,191	Total Total 2024 2023 £ £ 203,615 183,413 10,003 23,381 39,310 34,950 27,508 21,909 45,542 100,315 42,116 83,046 8,191 4,116
	76,364		8,191	376,285 451,128

Of the £376,285 expenditure in 2024 (2023 - £451,128), £131,347 was charged to unrestricted funds (2023 - £107,677) and £244,938 to restricted funds (2023 - £343,451).

9. ANALYSIS OF SUPPORT AND GOVERNANCE COSTS – CHARITY

The Charity initially identifies the costs of its support functions. It then identifies those costs which relate to the governance function. All the general support and governance costs have been apportioned to the various charitable activities on the basis of a proportion of direct costs, allocated to each activity.

General and office finance staff Premises Staff training and subsistence Travel, accommodation and insurance Legal and professional fees Office supplies and communications Computer and Information technology Depreciation Bank charges Foreign exchange loss Accounting fees Audit fees	Support costs £ 50,904 8,304 2,577 25,748 1,494 3,371 1,560 815 2,088 (54,746) - - 42,116	Governance costs 2024 £ £ - 50,904 - 8,304 - 2,577 151 25,899 - 1,494 - 3,371 - 1,560 - 815 - 2,088 - (54,746) 1,440 1,440 6,600 6,600 8,191 50,307 CHARITY	2023 £ 45,853 6,836 1,391 10,112 163 3,186 1,069 812 1,912 11,862 1,440 2,525
			87,161

STAKEHOLDER DEMOCRACY NETWORK

(Limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Cont/d)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2024

10. GRANTS PAYABLE

Centre for Environment, Human Right and Development	GROUP 2024 2023 £ £ 70,700 25,573 70,700 25,573	CHARITY 2024 2023 £ £ - - - -	CHARITY 2024 2023 £ £ - - - -
			-

Grants payable represents grants made to institutions to support activities in the Niger Delta area.

11. NET INCOME / (EXPENDITURE) FOR THE YEAR

This is stated after charging:

This is stated after charging:
	2024	2023
	£	£
Depreciation	4,313	12,543
Audit fees	9,550	11,150

12. ANALYSIS OF STAFF COSTS, TRUSTEES REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES, AND COST OF KEY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL

STAFF COSTS Salaries Pension National Insurance	2024 £ 295,832 14,891 16,993 327,717	2023 £ 315,202 21,528 54,178
		390,908

No employees had employee benefits in excess of £60,000 (2023 - £nil).

No Trustee received any remuneration during the year (2023 - £Nil). During the year, trustees were reimbursed expenses amounting to £185 (2023 - £468).

The key management personnel based in the UK are the Directors, Head of Finance and Secretary. The key management personnel based in Nigeria are the Nigeria Country Director, Nigerian Programmes Manager and the Finance & Admin Manager. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the group both in the UK and Nigeria were £134,579 (2023 - £105,545).

13. STAFF NUMBERS

The average monthly number of staff employed, calculated as full time equivalent, during the year was as follows:

Direct charitable work Administrative work Total	2024 2023 17 18 9 10 26 28 GROUP	2024 2023 4 4 1 1 5 5 CHARITY	2024 2023 4 4 1 1 5 5 CHARITY
			5

(Limited by guarantee)

STAKEHOLDER DEMOCRACY NETWORK

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Cont/d)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2024

14. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS – GROUP AND CHARITY

----- Start of picture text -----
GROUP: 2024 2023
£ £
NET BOOK VALUES
Office equipment 11,211 7,985
Motor vehicle 1,575 208
12,786 8,193
MOVEMENTS IN YEAR
Cost Opening Disposal/ Closing
Balances Additions fx difference Balances
£ £ £ £
Office equipment 52,541 8,700 (29,320) 31,920
Motor vehicle 25,019 1,891 (18,907) 8,004
77,560 10,591 (48,227) 39,924
Opening Charge For Closing
Depreciation Balances Year Disposal Balances
£ £ £ £
Office equipment 44,556 2,422 (26,269) 20,710
Motor vehicle 24,811 378 (18,760) 6,429
69,367 2,800 (45,029) 27,138
CHARITY: 2024 2023
£ £
NET BOOK VALUES
Office equipment 3,437 3,645
3,437 3,645
MOVEMENTS IN YEAR
Cost Opening Closing
Balances Additions Disposals Balances
£ £ £ £
Office equipment 10,835 593 - 11,428
10,835 593 - 11,428
Depreciation Opening Charge Closing
Balances For Year Disposals Balances
£ £ £ £
Office equipment 7,191 801 - 7,991
7,191 801 - 7,991
----- End of picture text -----

STAKEHOLDER DEMOCRACY NETWORK

(Limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Cont/d)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2024

15. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS – GROUP AND CHARITY

Investment at cost	GROUP 2024 2023 £ £ - -	CHARITY 2024 £ -	2023 £ -

Subsidiary undertaking, Niger Delta Stakeholders Initiative for Community Development and Empowerments, is an incorporated company limited by guarantee in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. There is no share capital in a “limited by guarantee” company.

The results for subsidiary are set out in note 5.

16. DEBTORS – GROUP AND CHARITY

Amounts owed from subsidiaries Prepayment Staff Advances Project advances Other debtors-deposit	GROUP 2024 2023 £ £ - - 9,165 37,795 11,408 17,134 49,009 - 1,595 1,595 71,177 56,524	CHARITY 2024 2023 £ £ 9,412 - 1,023 8,110 - - - - 1,595 1,595 12,030 9,705	CHARITY 2024 2023 £ £ 9,412 - 1,023 8,110 - - - - 1,595 1,595 12,030 9,705
			9,705

17. CREDITORS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR – GROUP AND CHARITY

Taxation and social security Deferred income (Note 22) Accruals Amounts owed to subsidiaries Other creditors	GROUP 2024 2023 £ £ 3,693 6,469 85,589 639,889 18,273 24,370 - - 105 5,678 107,660 676,406	CHARITY 2024 2023 £ £ 3,693 6,469 27,129 49,025 16,587 24,370 - 20,380 105 - 47,514 100,245	CHARITY 2024 2023 £ £ 3,693 6,469 27,129 49,025 16,587 24,370 - 20,380 105 - 47,514 100,245
			100,245

STAKEHOLDER DEMOCRACY NETWORK

(Limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Cont/d)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2024

18. ANALYSIS OF CHARITABLE FUNDS – GROUP

Balance at 01.05.23 £ 47,070 98,735 14,209 - - - - - -	Income £ 263,645 320,206 43,534 4,933 3,473 42,370 85,000 101,407 7,756	Expenditure £ (310,715) (418,941) (57,501) (4,933) (3,473) (42,370) (85,000) (101,407) (7,756)	Balance at 30.04.24 £ - - - - - - - - -
160,015	872,323	(1,032,096)	-
81,324	2,982	(30,167)	54,381
241,339	875,305	(1,062,263)	54,381

Transfer of £242 made from Palladium/SCALE to unrestricted fund.

Analysis of movements in funds - previous year

Balance at 01.05.22 £ - 104,801 16,167 4,262 - - - -	Income £ 61,164 560,956 97,289 15,000 - 41,577 69,678 232,196	Expenditure £ (14,094) (567,021) (99,247) (20,755) (3,450) (41,577) (69,678) (232,196)	Balance at 30.04.23 £ 47,070 98,735 14,209 - - - - -
125,230	1,077,860	(1,048,018)	160,015
81,413	2,012	2,843	81,324
206,643	1,079,872	(1,045,176)	241,339

Transfer of £4,944 made from unrestricted funds to Yar’Adua Foundation of £3,450 and to OSIWA of £1,494 amounts of core funds used to fund the project before monies have been forwarded to the Charity by the funder.

STAKEHOLDER DEMOCRACY NETWORK

(Limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Cont/d)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2024

19. ANALYSIS OF CHARITABLE FUNDS – CHARITY

Restricted Funds: Action Aid Ford Foundation Foreign & Common wealth Office SOMO University of Copenhagen Greenpeace Total restricted funds Unrestricted Funds: General funds Total unrestricted funds Total Funds:	Balance at 01.05.23 £ - - - - - -	Income £ 7,756 101,407 85,000 42,370 4,933 3,473	Expenditure £ (7,756) (101,407) (85,000) (42,370) (4,933) (3,473)	Transfer £ - - - - - - -	Balance at 30.04.24 £ - - - - - -
	-	244,938	(244,938)	-	-
	23,736	108,314	(131,347)	-	703
	23,736	108,314	(131,347)	-	703
	23,736	353,252	(376,285)	-	703

Analysis of movements in funds - previous year
Restricted Funds: AAN / FCDO University of Copenhagen Ford Foundation Total restricted funds Unrestricted Funds: General funds Total unrestricted funds Total Funds:	Balance at 01.05.22 £ - - -	Income £ 232,196 41,577 69,678	Expenditure £ (232,196) (41,577) (69,678)	Transfer £ - - -	Balance at 30.04.23 £ - - -
	-	343,451	(343,451)	-	-
	11,224	120,189	(107,677)	-	23,736
	11,224	120,189	(107,677)	-	23,736
	11,224	463,640	(451,128)	-	23,736

Description, nature and purpose of funds:

Fund

Purpose and restrictions in use

Netherlands Embassy – HYPREP & SEPAG - Monitoring the Ogoni clean-up & Strengthening Environmental Policy and Accountability in Governance

The aim of this project is to ensure communities in the Niger Delta fairly benefit from the proceeds of the oil and gas industry and that local and global environmental impact from the oil and gas industry is reduced. It seeks to scaleup some of the most successful areas of our work and innovate new solutions to environmental challenges in the region. We want communities in the Niger Delta to experience fewer negative impacts from the oil and gas industry, and to fairly benefit from its revenues. We also want to ensure that both local and global environmental impact from the oil and gas industry is reduced.

STAKEHOLDER DEMOCRACY NETWORK

(Limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Cont/d)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2024

This project will also strengthen the ability of civil society to hold the Federal Government of Nigeria to account for a major clean-up of oil spills in the Niger Delta. The project focuses on the scheduled clean-up of the major environmental disaster in Ogoniland, generated by over 50 years of oil spills in the region. We will do this by training and supporting local civil society organisations (CSOs) to physically visit and assess the actual progress of the clean-up in a systematic way. This independent checking will help rebuild trust in government to protect Nigerians from the negative health, environmental, and economic impacts of the oil industry, following a poor track record of oil spill clean-up, remediation, and restoration in Nigeria. The results of these independent CSO assessments of the Ogoni oil spill clean-up will be made easily accessible to the public.

European Union

This project aims to reduce the digital gender gap by providing tailored digital skills training for women and establishing links between them and job providers in the tech sector and supporting women-owned businesses to grow through the provision of digital training.

The project seeks to contribute to bridging the digital gender gap in employment aspirations, opportunities and outcomes in the Niger Delta by

a. Increasing awareness of the existing digital gender divide and addressing the barriers imposed by cultural and social norms; empowering women with digital and soft skills, and supporting women-led businesses to develop knowledge on and enhance the use of digital skills and tools to grow their businesses;
b. Supporting CSOs and similar initiatives in improving their capacity to advocate for increased digital literacy for women;
c. Fostering evidence-based gender related policy changes and collaboration between CSOs, the public and private sector to address the digital gender divide by increasing access to digital literacy and skills programmes for women,
d. Ensure women can equally access digital support services,
e. Tech companies and telecommunications have gender policies that encourage women to apply for open positions.

University of Copenhagen

Ford Foundation

COPIGoG contributes knowledge for both academic and policy audiences. Examining flows in and across piracy and counterpiracy infrastructures provides knowledge about what enables and disables piracy and maritime security more broadly in the GoG. The purpose is (i) to develop a novel analytical approach to maritime security and broader intervention studies and; (ii) to generate empirical insights that can help point to ways of enhancing beneficial vectors and preventing harmful ones from the perspective of maritime security.

This project which will be implemented in three Niger Delta states (Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers in six host communities: Otuasega, Imiringi, Eruemukhuwarien, Owevwe, Umuebulu 2-Oyigbo and Komkom, with an estimated population of 250,000) aims to shape Host Community Development

Trust’s (HCDT) implementation to maximise the potential for community benefit and minimise the risks HCDTs and the associated legislative framework potentially present. This will be done through supporting host communities to better understand HCDTs and collectively represent their interests; developing a shared set of recommendations for the implementation of HCDTs which emphasise community participation, transparency, equity and fairness, and the prioritisation of community development.

We aim to convene a coalition of stakeholders representing host community interests (host community members, civil society and groups such as

STAKEHOLDER DEMOCRACY NETWORK (Limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Cont/d)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2024

HOSTCOM) to provide collective representation; convene this group with the oil and gas sector and government to develop a shared set of guidance for the operation of HCDTs; create a HCDT Guide, which will be disseminated to;

a. Host communities to help them better represent their collective interests,

b. Oil and gas companies to encourage alignment with the guide’s approach, and

c. Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to promote further improvements to framework for implementation of HCDTs;

and by supporting implementation of the guide in six pilot host communities, with a focus on supporting HCDTs to design effective livelihood/economic development projects where these have been identified as priorities in needs assessments.

Yar'Adua Foundation

OSIWA - Strengthening Food Production in Riverine Communities

This project aims to contribute to the promotion of gender equality in political representation and decision-making in Rivers State, and to contribute to greater understanding of women’s status in politics across Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Rivers states. It involves consulting women across Rivers State on their priorities in advance of the 2023 elections and working with women’s groups to engage with electoral candidates on these policy priorities. We will also be working with the Nigeria Women’s Trust Fund to conduct research across the three states to generate original research and greater understanding of the status of women’s political engagement and the barriers they face to entering politics in the Niger Delta, and to establish a mentoring scheme for young women interested in entering politics.

This project aims to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in three riverine communities across the Southern Ijaw and Nembe Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State, by supporting growth in their incomes and businesses, and protecting them from shocks such as climate change. Climate change and oil pollution contribute to challenging conditions for agricultural production in these communities, increasing the risk of food insecurity and further inflating the rates of unemployment. This project targets communities living in the coastal riverine areas as they are particularly vulnerable to crop losses due to increased flooding from sea-level rise or erratic and extreme weather associated with climate change. Resilience among these communities to crop losses is then frustrated by limited access to, or awareness of, financial support.

This project seeks to reduce crop losses by working with small-scale farmers to develop climate-smart agricultural practices, in collaboration with the Bayelsa Ministry of Agriculture and Agricultural Development Programme.

Where crop losses do occur, this project aims to bolster local resilience by facilitating access to financial services that support farmers’ recovery. SDN uses an inclusive and gender-sensitive community-led participatory approach, with at least 60% of the 6,000 farmers we aim to reach being women. The benefits of this approach will be felt long after the project funding comes to an end. This project aims to support a reduction in losses and bolster the resilience of 300 farmers and small agriculture and aquaculture businesses through improved climate-smart agricultural practices and increased access to financial services.

STAKEHOLDER DEMOCRACY NETWORK

(Limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Cont/d)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2024

Action Aid - We - YOU Project/ Foreign & Common wealth Office

We-YOU-Project is a 19-month project in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria with funding from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The project is being implemented in 24 communities across Okrika, Ogu/Bolo, Port Harcourt and Obio-Akpor Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Rivers State. The project will work with communities across four LGAs to mobilise grassroots engagement in advance of the 2023 elections, and support at least 300 women and young people to build campaigning, policy and influencing skills via a training programme. Through this, we will develop a Women and Youth Agenda for Rivers State, to document the priorities of women and young people that they want to see their political leaders respond to, and launch a large-scale campaign and advocacy initiative to build public interest and put pressure on political aspirants, representatives, and political parties to act on the demands of women and young people. This project aims to increase political participation and representation of women and young people in River’s state in the run up to 2023 election and secure policy commitments and actions from political aspirants, representatives, and political parties, in response to the demands of women and young people.

Palladium - Enabling Civic Space in the Niger Delta

This project focusses on the trend of closing civic space in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Rivers state in the Niger Delta region and focuses on three areas of concern. These are: high levels of harassment, violence and illegal detention inflicted on citizens and civil society by state agencies when exercising their rights, such as freedom of assembly and association; lack of opportunities for civil society to engage constructively with government on human rights issues; and the lack of collaboration of civil society actors on civic space concerns. The project establishes a cluster of civil society organisation – ‘Civic Space Watch’ – that will develop campaigns to influence policy makers on the domestication of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) in Akwa Ibom and its implementation in Rivers and Bayelsa.

SOMO To carry out additional research supporting the agenda of SOMO in relation to divestment and building on the findings of research by SOMO and others; and to raise awareness and advocate for better divestment, abandonment, and decommissioning (DAD) policies and regulations.

Greenpeace The purpose of that mission was to provide security and logistics assistance to the Greenpeace team. Their goals were to: conduct interviews with the locals, collect samples from various remediation sites, and have discussions with the leadership and other stakeholders in the Bodo community to assess the level of cleanup done and other issues concerning the remediation process.

STAKEHOLDER DEMOCRACY NETWORK

(Limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Cont/d)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2024

20. ANALYSIS OF GROUP ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS – GROUP AND CHARITY

GROUP Fixed assets Net current assets CHARITY Fixed assets Net current assets	Unrestricted funds £ 12,786 41,595 54,381 3,437 (2,734) 703	Restricted funds £ - - - - - -	Total 2024 £ 12,786 41,595 54,381 3,437 (2,734) 703	Total 2023 £ 8,193 233,146
				241,339
				3,645 20,091
				23,736

Analysis of net assets between funds - previous year
GROUP Fixed assets Net current assets CHARITY Fixed assets Net current assets	Unrestricted funds £ 8,193 73,131 81,324 3,645 20,091 23,736	Restricted funds £ - 160,015 160,015 - - -	Total 2023 £ 8,193 233,146 241,339 3,645 20,091 23,736	Total 2022 £ 19,389 187,254
				206,643
				3,784 7,440
				11,224

21. RECONCILIATION OF NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS TO NET CASHFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES – GROUP AND CHARITY

Net movement in funds Add back depreciation/loss on disposal/impairment Deduct interest income shown in investment activities (Increase) / decrease in debtors Increase / (decrease) in creditors Net cash inflow / (outflow) in operating activities	GROUP 2024 2023 £ £ (186,958) 34,696 (39,032) (25,488) (106) (46) (14,652) (30,081) (568,746) 385,799 (809,494) 364,880	CHARITY 2024 2023 £ £ (23,033) 12,512 801 930 (106) (11) (2,325) 4,129 (52,730) 81,537 (77,394) 99,096	CHARITY 2024 2023 £ £ (23,033) 12,512 801 930 (106) (11) (2,325) 4,129 (52,730) 81,537 (77,394) 99,096
			99,096

STAKEHOLDER DEMOCRACY NETWORK

(Limited by guarantee)

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Cont/d)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2024

22. DEFERRED INCOME – GROUP AND CHARITY

Balance as at 1st May Amount released to income in the year Amount deferred in the year Balance as at 30th April	2024 2023 £ £ 639,889 259,455 (639,889) (259,455) 85,589 639,889 85,589 639,889 GROUP	2024 2023 £ £ 49,025 - (49,025) - 27,129 49,025 27,129 49,025 CHARITY	2024 2023 £ £ 49,025 - (49,025) - 27,129 49,025 27,129 49,025 CHARITY
			49,025

The grant was deferred at the year-end as it relates to project expenses specifically for the period after year end. The above deferred income movements relate to Grants received from the Leigh Day and SOMO.

23. OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS – GROUP AND CHARITY

At 30 April there were the following future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases:

Office premise Not later than one year Later than 1 year not later than 5 years	GROUP 2024 2023 £ £ 11,422 15,230 - 29,191 11,422 44,420	CHARITY 2024 2023 £ £ 11,422 15,230 - 29,191 11,422 44,420	CHARITY 2024 2023 £ £ 11,422 15,230 - 29,191 11,422 44,420
			44,420

24. PENSION COSTS

The pension contributions payable by the Charity and its subsidiary amounted to £14,891 (2023 - £21,528). Contributions totalling £878 (2023 - £1,272) were due at the year end and are included in creditors.

25. SHARE CAPITAL

The Company is a company limited by guarantee and does not have share capital divided by shares. Under the terms of the Memorandum and Articles of Association each member is liable to contribute a sum not exceeding £1.00 in the event of the company being wound up.

26. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

No related party transactions took place in the year except the transactions disclosed in note 12.

27. ULTIMATE CONTROLLING PARTY

For the whole of the year, the charity was under the control of the Directors and Trustees as shown on page 4.