HELLO WORLD Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Charity Number: II48596 Contents Reference and Administrative Details Trustees, Report Statement of Trustees, Responsibilities Independent Examiner's Report io Statement of Fi na ncial Activities 11-12 Balance Sheet 13 Cash Flow Statement 14 Notes to the Financial Statements 15-28 Page 2 Reference and Administrative Details Chair Marcus William Exall Trustees Erin Bown-Anderson Laura Castrillo Marti Grimminick Mike Jensen Stephen Whitehead Senior Management Jo Henderson, Executive Director Charity Registration Number 1148596 Registered Office 28 Digby Crescent Finsbury Park London N4 2HR Independent Examiner Thompson Jenner Chartered Accountants I Colleton Crescent Exeter Devon EX2 4DG Page 3 Trustees, Report The charity is an unincorporated association., its governing documents are its trust deed. The trustees present the Annual Report together with the Financial Statements and Independent Examiner's Report of the charitable organisation for the year ending 31 March 2025. The references and administrative information set out on page 3 form part of this report. The trustees and officers serving during the year and since the year-end were as follows.. Erin Bown-Anderson (Appointed 05112120241 Laura Castrillo IAppointed 0snJ20241 Marti Grimminck (Appointed 0Sn2120241 blike Jensen (Appointed 05n2120241 Stephen Whitehead IAppointed 2J05120241 Marcus Exall (Appointed 06102tt0191 Stephanie Bruce (resigned 20103120251 Laura Hartnett (resigned 20103120251 Frances Baawuah (resigned 20103120251 Jonathan Stadlen (resigned 23/05120241 Lopa Winters (resigned 0Sn2tt0241 Chair.. Marcus Exall Our Aim Summary of the objectives of the cha rity set out in its governing document.. Hel lo World initiates and supports projects that provide sustainable development, capacity building, and prevention of relief or poverty. Hello World follows principles of community-led development and respect in addressing critical needs in the developi ng world. Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objectives.. Sustainable development, i.e.,"development which meets the needs ofthe present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" rust Deed). To promote sustainable development for the benefit of the public by.. (al the preservation, conservation and the protection of the environment and the prudent use of resources., Ibl the relief of poverty and the improvement of the conditions of life in social ly and economica Ily disadvantaged communities., Icl the promotion of sustainable means of achieving economic growth and regeneration. Capacity building. To develop the capacity a nd skills of the mem bers of the socially and oconomically disadvantaged commun ities of Africa in such a way that they are better a ble to identify and help meet their needs and to partici pate more fully in society. Prevention or relief of poverty for the public benefit. The prevention or relief of poverty lor fina ncial hardshipl a nywhere in the world by providing or assisting in the provision of education, training, healthcare projects and all the necessary support designed to enable individuals to generate a sustainable income and be self- sufficient. Page 4 We are confident that we meet the public benefit requirements, having taken into consideration the Charity Commission's guidance. Achievements and Activities l April 2024 to 31 March 2025 Over the course of the financial year spanning April 2024 to March 2025, Hello World has continued to cha mpion commun ity-centred connectivity solutions that close the dig ita I divide. Our niodel has now been tested, replicated, and scaled across Uganda and Nepal, and more recently shared with partners in Nigeria and Burundi. Through this work, we have seen communities gain the agency, confidence, and digital capacity to design and drive their own development solutions. Hello World's mission is to close the global digital and education gap by bringing internet access and digital learning opportunities to marginalised communities, enabling them to lead their own social and economic development. Our work is grounded in the belief that when people gain access to the internet, they ra pidly begin to use it to educate themselves. build businesses, connect with others, and improve their lives. Every success within a H u b community filters outward, multiplying impact across generations. The 2024-2025 financial year was a period of strategic evolution and organisational transition, shaped by both opportLJnity and challenge. The Charity s income for the year was Q51,240, ref lecting a period of continued delivery a nd adaptation amid a tightening global funding landscape. In October 2024, Hello World announced a now strategic focus and operational model designed to increase our reach and sustainability. Building on more than a decade of impact, we set out a plan to decentralise further, enabling more remote commu nities to lead their own Hello Hub builds and operations, with Hello World taking on a teaching, training, and advisory role. This shift represents a log ical a nd mission-aligned evolution. It is more efficient, both financially and practically, for Hello World to decentralise processes and empower communities to self-seed growth while maintaining a lean. adaptive core team focused on knowledge transfer and technical support. The Trustees would like to extend their sincere thanks to the Hello World team for thei r dedication, professionalism, and impact du ring what has been a particularly challengi ng year. Dosplte fina ncial a nd operationa I hoadwinds, the team has continued to deliver ou r mission with clarity, innovation, and purpose. Special recogn ition is extended to Katrin tylcmil la n, Hello World's Founder and CEO. Katri n's endu ring vision for community-centred connectivity long before the "digital divide" became a ma instream global issue - remains at the heart of our organisation's approach and success. At the end of 2024, Katrin transitioned away from the day-to-day operations of Hello World but remains actively involved in supporting fundraisi ng and sharing Hello World's story. Her vision and impact were celebrated in March 2025 at an event hosted by our partner. Saatchi World Services. Achievements and Performance At the end of March 2025, there were 115 Hello Hubs globally, reaching over140,000 people.. Uganda.. 85 Hubs., Nepal.. 23 Hubs,. Nigeria.. 5 HLJbs,' 8LJrundi'. 2 Hubs. Each Hub serves an average of 1,250 regular users, providing access to power, hardware, connectivity, and educational content. Page 5 Hello Hub Scale In early 2025, Hello World delivered IS new Hubs across Uganda lall school-ba5ed, in the Eastern and Central regions), bringing the total to 85 Hubs and over 105,000 regular community users. In Nepal, five new Hubs were built, including three under the new Chautari I"Hub Lite") model in 2024. The Nopal Hollo World team succossfu Ily transitioned to a decontralised and independent structu re, with our implementing partner, Technology for All, taking on Hello World's operational approach and the Hello Hub model at the end of 2024. In Nigeria, five new Hubs were bu ilt in 2024 through a partnership with the Association for Progressive Communications IAPCI and implementing partner CITAD. These Hubs have significantly im pacted underserved communities, enhancing access to education, dig ita I tools.and economicopportunity.Thisscalefollowed our initial co-build andtraining in early 2024, demonstrating the scalabil ity and success of Hello World's community-led a pproach. In Burundi, two Hubs were built in pa rtnership with CAFIE International in May 2024. These digital Hubs support CARE'S programming and are sustainably managed by community and youth grou ps, supporting entreprer)eurship and digital education. Sustainability We made strong progress towards transitioning existing Hello Hubs to fully independent, community-managed operations. In Uganda, eight Hubs were transitioned by March 2025, and plans are underway to transition the majority of Uganda-based Hubs by the end of 2025. Community consultation, feedback, and co-design are central to this process. Commu nities have identified a range of sustai nable financial support mechanisms, from community contri butions and local fund raisi ng, to revenue generation through activities around the Hub and data voucher sales, or management by a Community-Based Organisation or school. Partnerships We have continued to focus on partnerships and capacity building. In 2024-2025, we established an early-stage partnershipwith the Uganda Communications Commission ar)d continued to strengthen our partnership with the Association for Progressive Commu nications IAPCI. Ou r Technical Director also contributed to a series of consultations to support the development of a National Community Network Strategy in Nigeria and provided capacity building to community networks to Strengthen d igital H ub sustainability and management in Nigeria. Digital Inclusion and Education Programmes We continued to deliver, adapt, and expand our digital inclusion and education programmes to enhance digital skills and Hub usage across communities. In 2024-2025, we.. Delivered the Heroes Library Programme, funded by the Educational Opportunity Foundation, expanding to 25 new communities and reaching 547 pri mary-aged children, bu ilding on the previous year's 420. By March 2025, a further 720 children were enrolled across 31 communities. Children conipleting the programme improved their literacy and numeracy skills sig nificantly through the Hub Heroes curriculum. Page 6 Trained 353 adu Its in digital skills across Uganda, increasing thei r d igital confidence and online safety knowledge, with an average 55 per cent improvement from baseline to endline assessnients. By the end of March 2025, we were preparing to launch the next phase of this programme, focusing on primary school teachers across school-based Hubs, with the goa l of training 200 teachers by mid-2025. Delivered innovation training to 85 young people and adults in Northern Uganda, utilising our Hubs and digital access to develop 37 community-based prototypes addressing local challenges. A 2024 impact study showed that". 75 per cent of H ub users use dig ita I tools for learning and educatior) 44 percent usedigital toolsto earn an income 50 percent completed an onlinecourse ortraining in 2024 All surveyed reported sharing their digital skills with others each teaching an average of 12 people, indicating an indirect reach of more than one million ind ividuals Plans for the Future In 2025-2026, Hello World will focus on. Transitioning all Hello Hubs in Uganda to full community ownership and management., Expanding digital inclusion programmes to deepen local skills, vocational opportunities, and educationa l OLJtcomes', Offering technica I training and consultancy services to partners and communities implementing the Hello Hub model independently., Continuing to col la borate with development organisations and share our model on an open-access basis. Our firm intention is to continue strengthening local skills, in novation, and trust, improving the lives of people who deserve to be connected to the rest of the world. As Hello World enters its next phase, we remain proud of what has been achieved and optimistic about what lies ahead. Structuret governance and management The charity is managed by the Board of Trustees, who aim to meet at least 4 times a year. The governing documents set out the Trustee appointment regime. Day-to-day management is delegated to the Executive Director. Financial Review The attached financial statements show the results for the period and the charity s financia I position at the end of the period. The 202¥2025 financial year was a period of strategic evolution and organisational transition, shaped by both opportunity and challenge. The Charity's income for the year was £251,240, reflecting continued delivery and adaptation amid a tightening global funding landscape. This reduction in income was anticipated.. a significant multi-year funding partnership that had enabled Hello World to scale rapidly in Uganda, deepen global partnerships, and refine our model reached its planned conclusion during the year. Page 7 As expected, our operational budget and fundraising profile have now normalised to alig n with current sector conditions and our post-scale consolidation phase. The Organisation has adjusted strategically, focusing on d iversified income, targeted programme development, and strengthening long-term sustainability. The charity relies primarily on donations and grants, which total led £246,173 for the period. Donations of all,910 were restricted in use and prima rily designated for specific project activities. Incoming resources duri ng the period were mainly derived from core and project funding for Hel lo World H ub builds, prog ramme delivery, and operations across Uganda and Nepal. The charity's most significant sou rces of income included grants from GSFI Foundation, the Educational Opportunity Foundation, along with public and private donations. During the period, expenditure was focused on delivering our core digital skills programmes, ensuring that the majority offunds were directed towards Hub construction, community engagement, and ongoing project and programme delivery. At the end of the period, the charity maintained reserves of £90,650, providing financial Sustai nability for the upcoming year and flexibility to manage potential risks. Policy on Reserves To ensure the charity's ability to meet its financial obl igations when due, Hello World strives to hold a target cash reserve sufficient to fu nd at least three months of core operatior)s. This target is monitored through a multi-yea r financial forecast, which is tracked ir) real-time. Tho charity regularly reviews its reserves policy to ensure it remain5 appropriate to its needs and operating environment. 23112125 The annual report was approved by the trustees ofthe charity on ..................... its behalf by". and signed on Chair of Trustees Page 8 Hello World Stalemenl of Truslees, Responsibilities The trustees are responsible loi. preparing the trustees, report and the linancial statements in accordance with the United Kingdoin Accoui)ting Staiidards {United Kingdom Geneially Accepted Accounting Prdctice) and applieable law and regulations. The laiv applicable to charities requires the trustees to prepare financial ststements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of Ihe charity and of the incoming resources and application of resoiirces of the charity for that period. In preparing Ihese financial ststemenis, the trllstees are reqiiired to.. select suitable accounting policies and then apply thein consistently., observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP: make judgements and estimate5 that are reasonable and prndent; State M'hether applicable accounting standards liave been followed, subject to any inaterial departllre5 disclosed and explained in the financial statetnents; and prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business. The trnstees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disc105e with reasonable acciiracy at any time the fii)ancial positioii of the charit), and enable them to ei)sure that the fii)ancial statemeiits COTnply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charitie5 {Accounts aiid Reports) RebFulation5 2008, and the provisions of the constitution. Tl)e trL15tees are also re5poiisible for safegFuarding the asset5 of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the PTevention ai)d detection of fraud aiid other I￿egUlaTItIts. The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial infomlation included on the charitable company's website. Legislation goveming the preparaiiL)n and dissemination of financial staienients may differ from legislaiion in oiher jurisdictions. Approved by the trustees of the charity oi) .231.1212& and signed oi) its behalf by.. Trustee Page 9 Hello World Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Hello World I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Hello World for the year ended 31 March 2025. Responsibilities and basis ol report As the charity trustee5 of Hello World you are responsible for the preparation of the accoutjts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Aet'l. I report in respect of my exainination of the Hello World's accounts cariied out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out Iny examination I have lollowed all the applicable Dii"ections given by the Charity Commission under section 145151(bl of the Act. Independent examiner's statement Since Hello World's gros5 income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confiTm that l am qualified to undertake the examination because l am a member of Association of Chartered Certified Accountant5, which i5 one of the listed bodies. I have cotnpleted iny exatnination. I confjrm that no inaterial matters have come to my attention in connection with the exatnination ¥ivin¥ me caust to believe that in any tnaterial respect.. l. accounting records were not kept in respeci of Hello World as required by seciion 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records,. or 3. the accounts do not comply with the accountin¥ requiretnent5 concernin¥ the form and content of accouiits set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other tlian any requirement thai the accounts give a 'true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no conceTn5 at]d have come across no other matters in connection with the exatnination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper uiiderstai)ding of the accounts to be reached. David fucker ACA FCCA Association of Chartered Certified Accountants Thompson Jenner LLP Chartered Accountants I Colleton Crescent Exeter Devon EX2 4DG Dale.. 0610112026 Page 10 Hello World Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 UThrestricted fuNd5 Restricted fund5 Total 202S Note Ineome and Endowments from: Donations and legacie8 Other trading activities Investment income 134,263 2,690 2.377 111,910 246,17i 2,690 2,377 Total income 139.330 251.240 Expenditure on: Raising funds Charitable activities 1133,114) 1510,038) {133,114) {561,846) {51,808) Total expenditure 1643,152) {51,808) {694,960) Net (expenditurellintome Net movement in funds 1503,822) 60,102 {443,720) (503,822) 60.102 {443,720) Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward 5JO,745 5i4,J70 Total funds carried fonvard 26,923 6),727 90,650 The notes on pages 15 to 28 form an integral part of these financial statements. Pagell Hello World Statement of Financial Aetivities for the Year Ended 31 Mareh 2025 (eontinued} UThrestricted fuNd5 Restricted fund5 Total 2024 Note Ineome and Endowments from: Donations and legacie8 Other trading activities Investment income 454,6.fj2 li,397 10.652 105,889 560,-f41 li,i97 10,652 Total income 478.701 105,889 584.590 Expenditure on: Raising funds Charitable activities 1254,761) 1123,i09) (63,576) 1797,429) 1318,337) {920,738) Total expenditure 1378,070) 1861,005) {1,239,075) Net it)come/{expenditure) Net movement in funds 100,631 1755,116) {654,485) 100.631 1755.116) {654,485) Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward 4JO,114 758,741 1.188,855 Total funds carried fonvard 530,745 i,625 534,i70 All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The fund5 breakdown for 2024 is shown in note 16. The notes on pages 15 to 28 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 12 Hello World {Registration number: 1148596) Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025 2025 2024 Note Current assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 13 14 2,720 94,526 5,448 548,548 97,246 553,996 Creditors: Amount5 falling due within one year 15 (6.596) (19,626) Net asset5 90,650 534,370 Funds of the charity: Restricted incorne funds Restricted ￿ndS 16 6i,727 3,625 Unrestricted income funds Unrestricted funds 26,923 530,745 Total funds 16 90.650 534,370 The financial statements on pages I I to 28 ivere approved by the Irustees, and authorised for issue on 23J.12125.. and signed on their behalf by= Trustee The notes on pages 15 to 28 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 13 Hello World Cash Floiv Stalemenl for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 202S 2024 Note Cash tlows from operating activities Net cash expenditure 1443.720) {654,485) Adjustrnents to cash flows from non-cash item5 Inve5tmeiit income (2,377) (10,652) 1446,097) {665,137) Working capital adjustment5 Decrease in debtors Decrease in creditors 13 2,728 {13,030) 56,931 (3,933) Net cash flow5 froin operating activities 1456,399) {612,139) C2sh flows from investing activitie5 Interest receivable and SiTnilar income 2,377 10,652 Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents 1454,022) {601,487) Cash and cash equivalents at l April 548,548 1,150,035 Cash and cash equivalents at 31 Morch 94,526 548.548 All of the cash flows are derived from continuing operations during the ablive N'LI periods. The notes on pages 15 to 28 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 14 Hello World Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 l A¢£ounting policies Statement of eomplianee The fin[￿Cial statements have been prepared in a¢cordan¢e with the second edition of the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting SL￿dard applicable in the United Kingdoin and Republic of Ireland {FRS 1021 and the Charities Act 2011. B&sis of preparation Hello World Tntet5 the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. The accounts (financial statemeiitsl have been prepared under the historical c05t conveiition witli iteims recognised at cost or transaction value unle5S otherwise stated in the relevant notel5) to these accounts. Cioing concern Tlie trustees consider tl)at there are no material uncertainties about the tharity's ability to continue as a going concem. .llldgement5 In the application of the irust's accounting policiess, which are described in this note, the Trustees are required to make judgen)enis, eslima￿S and assumptions aboui the carry'ing value of assets and liabiliiies that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estiinates and underlying assumptions are based on l)istorically known faciors and experience. Therefore, Ihe trustees do noi perceive ihere to be critical areas ol'judgement or sources of estimation uncertainty in the formulation of the financial staiements. Income and endowrnents Voluntarv incoine including donations, gifts. legacies and grants that provide core funding or are of a general nature is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured with sulricient reliabiliry. DonfflEon5 legaLie5 Donations and legacies are recogni5ed on a receivable basis wl)en receipt 15 probable and the ainount can be reliably Ineasured. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of perfoTmance by the cliarity before the charity. 15 entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recogFnised until eit]ier those conditioi)s are lully meL or the fulfulmei)t ol. those conditions is wholly withii) the control of the tharity and it is probabl that these conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period. Grnnls receivuble Grants are recognised when the charity has an entitlement to Ihe funds and an}, conditions linked tLI the grants hgve been met. Where performance conditions are attached to the grant and are yet to be met, the in¢ome is re¢ognised as a liability and incliided on the balgnce slieet as deferred income to be released. Deferrediiicume Deferred income represents amounts received lor future periods and is released to incoming resources in the period for which, it has been received. Sucl) incoine is onl}, deferred when.. The donor specifies that the grant or donatioi) must only be used in future accoui)ting periods; or The donor has in)posed conditions which n)ust be Inet before tl)e charity has uncoi)ditional entitlement. Page 15 Hello World LNotes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (continued) Inveslmemt Intome Bank interest is recognised once the interest has been received. Expendilure All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure. it is probable seitlemelit is required and the amouni can be measured reliably. All cosis are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on Ihe portion of the asset's use. Other suppon cosis are allocated based on Ihe spread of stsff costs. Rai.singfund5 These are costs incurred in attracting voluntary ineome, the manageinent of investments and those ineurred in trading activities that iaise fuiids. Cliarilable uctivllles 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 allocaied directly 10 such activities and those costs of an indirect ngture necessary to support them. Govtrnanee Costs These include the costs attributable to Ihe charit) s compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, including audit, strategic management and trnstees meetings and reiTnbursed expenses. Taxation The charity. is considered to pass the tests set out in ParagTaph I Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable coinpany for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exenipt froin tayation in respect of incoine or capital gains received within categories covered by Cliapter 3 Part I l of the Corporation Tax Act 201 O or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable PUTP05es. Cash and cash equivalents Casli and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call dep051ts, and other short-teTm highly liquid inve5tineiits that are readily coiivertible to a known ainount of cash and are subject to an ii)si¥nificant risk of chaii¥e in value. Trade creditors are obligaiions io pay for goods or services that have beei) acquired in the ordinary course of business fn)m suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the does noi l)ave an uncondiiional right. ai tl)e end of the reportin(T period, io defer settlement of the credI￿r for at least twelve montlis after the reporting date. It. there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for ai least twelve n)onths after the reporting date: tl)ey are presented as non-current liabilities. are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequenilj measured at amortised cost using the effective interest meihod. Page 16 Hello World LNotes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (continued) Foreign exchange Ti'an5action5 iii foreign currencie5 are recorded at the rate of exchanbFe at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign cutTencies at the balance sheet date are reported at the rates of exchange prevailinbj at that date. Other exchan¥e differences are recognised in the statetnent of financial activities in the period in which they arise. Fund structure Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trusiees discretion in furtherance of the objeciives ol'ihe charity. Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or piirpose. Pensions and other post retirement obli£ations The charity opcrates a defincd contribution pension scheme which is a pension plan under which fixed contributions are paid into a pension fund and the charity has no legal or ConSt￿ctive obligation to pay further contributions even if the fiind does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefits relating to emploj'ee service in the current and prior periods. Contributions to defined contribution plans are reCO￿lS¢d in the Statement of Financial Activitie5 when they are due. If contribution paJThent5 exceed the contribution due for service, the excess is recogni5ed as a prepayment. Financial instruments CluJsifi£'iilio Financial assets and Iinancial liabilities are recognised when the charity becomes a party to the corttractual provisions of the instrument. Financial liabilities and equity instrumei)ts are classified according to the substhnce of the coniraciual arrai)gements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the charity after deducting all of its liabilities. Page 17 Hello World LNotes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (continued) Reeoglllilort andmethsurement All financial assets and liabilities are initially measured at transaction price (including transaction costs), except for those financial assets classifjed as at fair value through profit or loss, which are inilially measured at fair value (which is nom)ally the tr