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AZUKO
Annual Report
& Accounts 2022
AzuKo Trustees’ Annual Report 2022
3
## **CONTENTS**
## 4 Highlights
- 5 Introduction
- 7 Objectives & activities 8 Achievements & performance 27 Education & outreach
- 32 Financial review
- 33 Independent examiner’s report 34 Accounts
- 36 Plans for the future 38 Structure, governance & management 38 Reference & administration details 38 Declaration
## **HIGHLIGHTS**
This year, AzuKo supported
people (71% women) to fight housing poverty, **774[* ]** this includes:
## **260**
women attended construction training + 62 of these received financial savings support
## **304**
people benefitted from home improvements including structural works, new toilets and kitchens
## **210**
people gained co-design skills
We distributed
**1,360**
hygiene packs to families ...
benefitting
**5,440** people
## **95%**
rated our construction training very good - excellent
## **740+**
people attended our events
We collaborated with
**8**
organisations in the UK, and Bangladesh ...
including
**2**
community-led groups
## **£90k**
income raised – 192 people, and 26 organisations gave a regular or single gift
## **+ £59.6K**
pro-bono support
## **+ £7k**
gifts in kind, including software, tech and building materials
**44** team members (4 staff + 6 trustees + 34 volunteers)
## **7,045**
people visited our website, to learn more
_*This figure only includes people our work has directly impacted. It does not include the impact felt by neighbours and wider community_
AzuKo Trustees’ Annual Report 2022
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## **INTRODUCTION**
## **MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIR**
I’m honoured to introduce our Annual Report for 2022, and eager to share the charity’s remarkable work. AzuKo’s projects include training, infrastructure improvements, collaborative design, and housing advice, all aimed at empowering communities in both Bangladesh and the UK.
Whether it’s training women across Dinajpur in construction skills, or sharing expertise in humanitarian architecture to international students, AzuKo’s work promotes ethical and compassionate housing support.
Throughout the past year, AzuKo has been making a real, lasting impact. Our collaborations with organisations in both countries have been pivotal in broadening the charity’s reach and enhancing our effectiveness. These partnerships enable the sharing of resources and knowledge, to support sustainable development.
The success AzuKo has achieved is down to the unwavering commitment and dedication of our staff, volunteers and supporters.
As you explore this report, you’ll see the significant progress AzuKo has made. It is a testament to the power of community-led design and the positive impact that collective efforts for social justice can achieve. We extend our gratitude to all those who have, and continue to support AzuKo on this journey.
Together we’re creating a more equitable and just world.
— Deljana Iossifova (Chair of Trustees, AzuKo)
Introduction
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## **A CALL TO ACTION FROM OUR CEO**
In 2022, as the world began to emerge from the grip of COVID-19, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has caused energy and food prices to skyrocket creating a global cost of living crisis affecting billions of people. Extreme weather events are more frequent and more severe. Prolonged rainfall, forest fires, droughts, cyclones and storm surges are having a devastating impact. These combined crises are hitting the most vulnerable in our societies the hardest.
Bangladesh is ranked seventh disaster risk-prone country in the world. In June, torrential rain and surges from upstream caused the worst flood in over a century, impacting over 7.2 million people. Hundreds of thousands of households were cut off by floodwaters, while others fled to higher ground or emergency shelters. More than 150,000 houses, numerous roads and essential infrastructure were washed away. The floods caused damage to over 254,000 hectares of croplands and 4.2 million people suffered disruption to vital water, sanitation, and hygiene services.
An estimated 80% of houses in rural Bangladesh are substandard – not fit for living, and cannot withstand these natural disasters. We need to build back better.
In the UK, an estimated 6.5 million people are living in poor quality housing. Young people, families on low-income, people from Pakistani and Bangladeshi backgrounds, and people based in London are disproportionately affected. A significant number have fallen behind on their housing costs, with 4 in 10 concerned they won’t be able to meet them in future. Those living in poor quality housing are twice as likely to have poor health, with knock-on effects to all aspects of their lives.
AzuKo’s mission to build a fairer world, has never been more important. Our work is life-saving, and life-changing – rooted in the belief that given the opportunity and the right support people can rise above poverty.
I am continually inspired by the communities we work with, and humbled by their strength in the face of such adversity. It drives us forward. With your help, we will continue to support women, their families and communities weather this storm.
— Jo Ashbridge (Founder & CEO, AzuKo)
AzuKo Trustees’ Annual Report 2022
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## **OBJECTIVES & ACTIVITIES**
Housing is more than a roof and four walls; it is a human right. Everyone deserves a safe, clean, dignified place to call home. Yet more than 1.6 billion are living in substandard housing and it’s estimated that this will increase to 3 billion (over 40% of the world’s population) by 2030.
AzuKo is working to end housing poverty in Bangladesh and the UK, by:
1. Delivering construction training
2. Co-designing housing & infrastructure
3. Supporting communities to understand 4. Championing ethical development their housing rights
## **WHAT WE BELIEVE**
Vision: A world without housing poverty Mission: To build a fairer world for all Values: Empowerment — Participation — Commitment
When planning activities for the year the Trustees and CEO considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit, and the following guidance related to AzuKo:
- The public benefit requirement
- Running a charity
- Reporting
- Promotion of urban and rural regeneration
- The promotion of community capacity building
- The advancement of education
This report looks back at our work over the last year, how we delivered against our strategy and objectives, as well as our plans for the future.
Achievements & performance
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## **ACHIEVEMENTS & PERFORMANCE**
AzuKo is an architecture charity. We support the homeless, landless and those facing housing poverty in both Bangladesh and the UK. Women are at the centre of our communities, and they are at the centre of our work. We ensure their voice is heard in the design of their homes and neighbourhoods.
We offer low-cost, low-tech building improvements that make a dramatic difference to peoples’ lives. A large part of our work is construction training, and housing repairs – we bring buildings and infrastructure back to life. We also support communities to understand their housing rights, and to fight for them. Most importantly it is the communities themselves that lead the design and construction, from start to finish.
AzuKo Trustees’ Annual Report 2022
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## **DELIVERING CONSTRUCTION TRAINING**
## **BUILD FOR SAFETY**
## _Dinajpur district, Bangladesh_
Our long-term training programme provides women with knowledge, skills and confidence in construction. In 2022 we trained 260 women across Dinajpur district. Their homes are poor quality, typically katcha (non-durable) built with earth floors, bamboo/jute stick walls and thatch roofs, or semi-pucca (semi-permanent) with part-fired brick walls and corrugated iron sheet roofs. 94% have experienced significant damage to their homes due to a natural disaster (e.g. flood, storm), fire or termite infestation.
The vast majority (93%) are actively looking to make home improvements, although many (82%) express they do not have money to make big changes. Our training offers solutions that are affordable, appropriate and available locally. It supports women to build safe homes in an area of Bangladesh that suffers from floods and storms. It gives women and their families real choices and control over their lives.
“This is the first time in my life… I learnt many things like budgeting, modern house building, how to make it longer lasting.” _– Popi (trainee / Bangladesh)_
Training includes:
- An introduction to sustainability and green building practices
- Discussions around global examples
- Hands-on building activities e.g. cross bracing, bamboo connections, foundations
- Construction best practice
- Building material options, and comparisons
- Financial exercises e.g. return on investment (life cycle), savings plan
With the end to lockdown, and removal of social distancing requirements, we have returned to in-person group trainings, with increased emphasis on hands-on activities.
Design and construction in Bangladesh, as in most countries, is seen as a ‘man’s world’. Women must be active participants if we are to build inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable communities, for all. Our training provides women with an understanding of design and construction, the opportunity to ask questions in a safe space, essential building skills and the financial acumen to make decisions for a brighter future.
“I used these techniques to build a toilet. I treated the bamboo and used cross-bracing and kaatla (pad foundations) to make it strong.” _– Shrove (trainee / Bangladesh)_
**260** women trained
## **99%**
felt more confident in design and construction
## **100%**
felt skills learnt will help improve their home
## **95%**
rated the training ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’
Top 3 areas women felt confident to discuss post-training include:
- Improvements to traditional housing materials (bamboo, earth) to increase strength and water resilience
- Safe techniques e.g. cross bracing to stabilise the frame
- Bamboo treatment (preservation methods to increase durability) and bamboo construction
## **39%**
implemented at least 1 improved building technique within 3 months
AzuKo Trustees’ Annual Report 2022
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## **CO-DESIGNING HOUSING & INFRASTRUCTURE**
## **HEART OF THE HOME**
_Dinajpur district, Bangladesh_
In Bangladesh there has been significant progress over the last decade in improving housing standards of the poor. However, one space is lagging behind – the kitchen. These spaces are dark, cramped, unhygienic and poorly ventilated, contributing to chronic and acute health effects including lung cancer, diarrhoeal disease, complications with pregnancy and high rates of infant mortality.
Lack of design and investment in this part of the home has serious consequences. Exposure to household air pollution results in over 117,000 deaths every year in Bangladesh, mostly women and children. 68% of the population live on earthen floors, which are unhygienic and have strong links to diarrhoeal disease, and 80% of rural housing is of a ‘sub-standard level’ as communities typically build their own homes due to limited government support.
Our Heart of the home project addresses the root causes of these three key issues (household air pollution, unhygienic cooking conditions and unsafe construction) that affect low-income households. We’re working with 30 women in the northwest to understand this complex issue, the challenges they face, their needs now and in future. Floor upgrades are being compared to other solutions including improved cookstoves, building structure improvements and drainage.
We believe the answer is a combined approach, rather than a focus on a single product, material or design feature. Together with these women, we’re measuring the impact of small-scale affordable kitchen improvements.
Story of impact
**wings to fly**
Sumita lives in a small rural village in northwest Bangladesh. It’s an agricultural area, most of her neighbours are farmers and the housing conditions are poor. She married young, at age 17, and has dedicated her life to her family and three children. Now she wants to open her wings and fly.
Sumita joined AzuKo’s Build for safety training to learn how to improve her home. She wasn’t sure what to expect, but soon found out it was much more than a construction course – it was a door to opportunities. After she completed the training, she set her sights on improving her kitchen. She’s a talented cook, and spends much of her day preparing meals for her family. Along with women in her village, she formed a savings group to help each other access finance for home improvements.
She saved enough money to contribute 6,000 BDT (£45), approximately 20% of the build cost for her new kitchen, and we worked with her to design and build it. The kitchen is raised above flood waters with a brick plinth, and the once earthen floor is now cement reducing the need for maintenance and repairs. New walls and roof protect against the intense sun and monsoon rains, with lockable doors so she can safely store utensils. The design encourages cross ventilation, meaning it no longer fills with thick black smoke... and her favourite feature, a kitchen table. She no longer needs to prepare meals hunched over the floor. This is the power of good design.
“Before my kitchen had no walls and a mud floor. It was difficult to keep the rats away. Now we have this kitchen. It’s so clean. I can store food, prepare and cook easily.” _– Sumita (resident / Bangladesh)_
Sumita loves her country of Bangladesh. She used to dream about joining the civil service, but when she became a mother her life took a different path. Now she sees new possibilities for her family, and also for herself.
“When I was young, I was like a bird. I was free. I want to fly. I think I can, I have hope again.”
AzuKo Trustees’ Annual Report 2022
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## **MEANWHILE SPACE**
_Tower Hamlets, UK_
Exmouth Social Club forms part of Exmouth Estate in Tower Hamlets, London. Previously used as a flexible community space, it lies empty and is marked for demolition as part of the regeneration of the Estate.
Tower Hamlets is a diverse and creative Borough with a rich social and cultural heritage. It has one of the fastest growing economies in the UK. Despite notable improvements, levels of child and pensioner poverty are amongst the highest in the country. The rising cost of living, and particularly of housing, contributes to high deprivation. Much more needs to be done to support residents.
Conversations about meanwhile use – bringing this empty building back to life to offer community services, until new development takes place – had broken down. AzuKo, and Almost Any How, were brought on to revitalise conversations between the housing association and four local nonprofits.
Through a series of site visits, interviews with key stakeholders, a community survey and design meetings the group explored partnership opportunities. Together, we created a vision for Exmouth Social Club and adjacent Brayford Square. A vision that provides increased support for the community.
“We have momentum now, thank you. We’re starting to think as a partnership” _– partner (Tower Hamlets, UK)_
Achievements & performance
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## **SOUTH WOODFORD DESIGN CODE**
## _Redbridge, UK_
Neighbourhood planning, introduced by the Localism Act 2011 in the UK, enables communities to develop a vision for their area. Design Codes support Neighbourhood Plans by providing parameters for development – connecting the big vision with reality. These mechanisms give communities a real say in the future of their area.
In 2020 South Woodford Society began the process of developing a Neighbourhood Plan, representing 19K+ residents. South Woodford is a largely residential area in the Borough of Redbridge in northeast London, with a busy high street, and diverse community. 20% of people here live in the most deprived 20% of areas in England for ‘living environment’, facing high levels of air pollution, high traffic related accidents and lack of affordable housing. This year the Society was chosen to take part in the UK Government’s Pathfinder Programme to create a new Design Code.
AzuKo was brought on to help navigate the coding process, and to ensure marginalised voices are included when developing the Code.
“I’d like to see more ‘nicer’ shops and [pop ups], well-designed green pedestrianised community spaces, cafe seating extending further and spaces for kids to play safely.” _– resident (Redbridge, UK)_
AzuKo engaged with the community to better understand what matters to people. Using these insights we drafted a new Design Code, in collaboration with native north architects. In 2023 we will ‘stress test’ this Code prior to adoption by the Borough.
**402** people engaged
## **17,195**
people reached, sharing design code information
**Fair representation** , using EDI data
**Priorities:** active greenspace, public space, walking & cycling, amenities
AzuKo Trustees’ Annual Report 2022
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“The whole experience was great. My favourite part was the day we dug holes for the septic tank rings. It was such hard work, the ground was difficult. But we had so much fun together, I was crying with laughter.”
_– Lokhe (resident / Bangladesh)_
## **DECENT TOILETS**
_Rangpur division, Bangladesh_
76.7 million people in Bangladesh – 46% of the population – don’t have access to a clean, safe toilet of their own. Rangpur division in the northwest of the country, where AzuKo operates, has the highest rate of open defecation. Too many are without access to any toilet, left with no choice but to defecate in the open.
The consequences are dire, resulting in diarrhoeal disease and deaths, particularly of children under five years. Open defecation contaminates drinking water, increases the risk of harassment and sexual abuse, and reduces school attendance.
Water, sanitation and hygiene has always been an integral part of our housing programmes. This year we have launched a dedicated ‘Decent toilets’ project. We’re working with women to design and build toilets, deliver training to improve understanding of good hygiene and advocate for safe sanitation. The majority of toilets will be household level, with shared and community facilities built where space is limited.
Decent toilets play an essential role in people’s health, their future prospects and the environment. Proper waste disposal and management means:
- Lower likelihood of lethal diseases (like cholera and dysentery) and parasites
- Improved gender equality, education and development opportunities by allowing girls to stay in school during menstruation
- Cleaner rivers and waterways, which in turn support people, animals and nature
- Benefits to the economy by increasing productivity through improved health, and creation of jobs
Achievements & performance
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Story of impact
## **SAFETY & DIGNITY**
There are an estimated 16 million people in Bangladesh living with disabilities, and 13 million adult carers. Good design and infrastructure can play an enormous part in supporting families at home. We sat down with Santo* to hear how a new toilet has been transformational for his family.
Santo is a farmer, he rents land locally, cultivates it and sells the produce back at the market. Today he is surrounded by piles of tomatoes, which are in season. He works full time, and cares for his wife Lita* who has a severe cognitive impairment following complications during surgery. They live in a two room earthen house, with a simple kitchen, and cowshed. But without a toilet they had no other option than to go in the nearby forest. He worries about her when he’s not at home.
## “I like to work. Earning is important, so I can look after my wife. We have been together a long time.”
_– Santo (resident / Bangladesh)_
His daughter attended our Build for safety training, and Lita joined too. They learnt about AzuKo’s wider work, and shared the news with Santo. He applied for support to build a new toilet, within their own home. The toilet has brought safety and dignity, and for Santo piece of mind when he is away from Lita.
“We have privacy now. And dignity.”
_* Identity changed_
AzuKo Trustees’ Annual Report 2022
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## **SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES TO UNDERSTAND THEIR HOUSING RIGHTS**
## **WOMEN’S SAVINGS GROUPS, & HOUSING ADVICE**
## _Dinajpur district, Bangladesh_
In Bangladesh there is a disproportionate number of women who lack access to formal financial services; especially in comparison to men. We have been increasingly approached by women who have attended our training, requesting support to establish savings groups. These groups enable women to collectively save and distribute lowinterest loans to each other, and ultimately make vital home improvements.
Financial resources mean women can participate in household budgeting, cope with unexpected expenses, and make investments to rise above poverty e.g. creating a small business. Repeat, low-risk borrowing increases women’s risk-taking appetite and sense of empowerment. Women are also more likely to make economic decisions that benefit children’s wellbeing, resulting in a ripple effect across the community.
In 2022 we helped three women’s savings groups to set up. With cost, and access to finance, being the biggest barrier to making home improvements (82% in our latest survey), we’re keen to increase our support of savings groups to improve women’s financial inclusion, giving them an equal voice in financial matters that affect them. These groups also act as forums to share housing advice, and strengthen relationships.
## **62**
women collectively saving, aged between 18 to 25 years
## **32**
loans distributed, ranging from 500 BDT (£4) to 4,000 BDT (£29)
Main purposes: housing upgrades, health, education, food
“It feels good when we can help each other. It’s a small micro-credit programme. We have a small amount of money, and it is manageable.”
_– Dipty (savings group accountant / Bangladesh)_
Achievements & performance
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## **CHAMPIONING ETHICAL DEVELOPMENT**
We’re working hard to break down barriers to architecture, recognising inequality in the sector itself. Women and minority groups face deep discrimination in access to architectural education, throughout employment, and participating in the design of their communities.
If we are to design better homes and better cities then we need more diverse heads around the table. We need to offer more, and ‘alternative’, opportunities to support learning and development.
## **DESIGNING WITH DIGNITY**
## _International_
We created a new course, Designing with dignity. It is a hands-on introduction to humanitarian architecture, which we ran as a pilot in northwest Bangladesh. 15 students participated (Bangladeshi, British and international) learning how to design more ethically and collaboratively.
The course priorities socially and economically disadvantaged students, and young people. It includes online training in cultural awareness, site safety and security, and digital tools, as well as a two-week building project. There is also the opportunity for students to earn an HPass, a digital badge developed for the humanitarian sector which is evidence of experience and skills learned.
The curriculum included needs assessments, community engagement, co-design, sustainable construction and programme evaluation. Since completing the course, students have continued to build their understanding of international development and ethics, and shared their learnings with peers, colleagues and networks.
“After completing this course, I consider myself a champion of community-led design. We have done something tremendous, life changing initiatives that will improve quality of life and hygiene. The course has given me the opportunity and motivation to do more.”
_– Shimi (student / Bangladesh)_
## **33%**
students accessed full scholarship, 6% part
## **93%**
students below 28 years, 80% between 18-25 years
## **89%**
increase in understanding of ethical development
Top 2 learning outcomes: hands-on construction experience, use of sustainable building materials
Key soft skills practised: problem-solving, teamwork, adaptability, communication, resourcefulness, negotiation
## **87%**
achieved an HPass
**9.6 / 10** students are ‘extremely likely’ to recommend the course
20
Achlevements & pertormance
## Story of impact
## **INSPIRED TO GIVE BACK**
When you meet Aretha, it’s clear she’s on track to make a difference. Her energy and enthusiasm for whatever she’s involved with – studies, tutoring, volunteer work – is infectious. She’s currently studying a Masters in Engineering and Architectural Design in London, and contributes to important dialogues to increase diversity in the profession, such as the Black Females in Architecture network.
“I began to seek architectural experience during my final years of sixth form, it quickly became apparent that I could not see myself reflected within the industry.” _– Aretha (student / UK)_
_– Aretha (student / UK)_
An early mentoring experience at the age of 17, which helped pave her way into architecture school, has motivated Aretha to give back. She joined AzuKo’s Designing with dignity course in Bangladesh to learn about humanitarian architecture, and the tools to design more ethically and collaboratively.
“Designing with dignity is a hands-on, lifeenriching course that pushes you to the edge of your comfort zone. It challenges you to question every preconceived notion you have of architecture and encourages a truly collaborative design process, where every voice can be heard.”
Throughout the course, Aretha worked hard to listen, learn and lead with empathy. She helped conduct a needs assessment, map a community and their assets, and held interviews to understand more about the challenges people face, their hopes and dreams.
Almost half the population of Bangladesh don’t have access to a clean, safe toilet of their own. It’s simply unacceptable. Aretha was not afraid to get her hands dirty. Working alongside a family, and supported by our local construction team, she built a new twin-pit, pour-flush toilet. An incredible achievement, that will bring safety and dignity.
“I learned that it is really important not to centre yourself within humanitarian work, especially when building for others or creating things that need to benefit other people. It can be so easy to impose your own way of doing things (even if you have the best of intentions) but this is not how you achieve the best result. I think it really strengthened my ability to listen and help.”
Inspired by her time on the course, Aretha is now looking to take a new module ‘Engineering for International Development’ during her final year at university. She has recently been accepted on a summer course to improve water, sanitation and hygiene in schools in Uganda, and will be mentoring 16-18 year olds sharing her experience and helping to break down barriers to architecture.
Achievements & performance
22
## **RESHAPING ENGINEERING**
_UK-wide and international_
In collaboration with Engineers Without Borders UK we ran a ‘Designathon’ – a month long event which set engineering students and professionals the task to reimagine their sector. We asked them to design solutions that could reshape how engineering is taught and practised, to ensure a safe and just future for all. 195 participants – 31 student teams and 17 professional teams – took part, from across the UK and internationally.
“We must design more collaboratively to ensure the problem we are solving considers the needs of the people that it affects… It’s how we reach sustainable solutions.”
_– participant (UK)_
The teams submitted new ideas for engineering education, the profession, entrepreneurship, and engineering solutions in wider society. The month included presentations, workshops and mentoring to help students develop their ideas. An expert judging panel assessed innovations based on their potential social, environmental, and economic impact.
**195** participants
Co-design knowledge notably improved 63% OK-good, to 77% good-very
## **4,927**
views of design ideas, by 1,658 people, from 28 countries
Three words to describe AzuKo’s workshop: engaging, inspiring, interactive
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Empowerment
Coercion Educating Informing Consultation Engagement Co-design Co-production
^ ^ ^
**----- End of picture text -----**
|**DOING TO...**
**DOING FOR...**
**DOING WITH...**|
|---|
|Passive recipients
Involving people
An equal partnership|
|**GOOD DESIGNIMPROVES LIVES GOOD DESIGN ISPARTICIPATORY**|
|How would you rate your understanding of co-design|
|Before workshop
After workshop|
AzuKo Trustees’ Annual Report 2022
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## **EMERGENCY AID**
## **CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE**
_Dinajpur district, Bangladesh_
In April 2022 we dialled down our coronavirus support after two years. Our emergency response focused on prevention to reduce the risk and spread of infection, improve understanding about coronavirus, and build knowledge and capacity. With vaccine distribution improving, hospitalisations and deaths are now much lower. Unfortunately, with limited testing capabilities, costs and stigma associated, accurate numbers in Bangladesh are relatively unknown.
From 2020 to 2022, we have:
- Delivered 8,783 hygiene packs to families without access to the basics – soap, sanitiser, disinfectant, face masks and other PPE
- Supported 3,848 people register for the vaccine
- Reached over 35,000 with our virus prevention campaign (sharing information for how
- to keep safe) via audio rickshaws, leaflets and community banners
- Trained our frontline staff, volunteers and village heads across 2 Unions in best practice, including hand washing techniques and dispelling COVID myths and rumours
- Provided protective equipment (PPE) for our frontliners
Through our networks and community volunteers, we supported the distribution of food and mobile health clinics, whilst working closely with local authority to ensure a coordinated regional response.
Achievements & performance
24
## Coronavirus response, map of coverage 2020-2022
**----- Start of picture text -----**
20km
Bhushirbandar
Beldanga
Ra m dubi
10km
Karnai
0km N508
Chandganj
10km
Z5025
Dinajpur
20km
**----- End of picture text -----**
**8,783** hygiene packs distributed
**3,848**
people supported for vaccine registering
**35,000+**
people reached with prevention campaign
AzuKo Trustees’ Annual Report 2022
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**----- Start of picture text -----**
Ranirbandar
Hygiene packs
distributed
Vaccine registration
+ WASH training
Leaflets distributed
Community banners
erected
Area covered by
Single visit audio rickshaws
Multiple revisits
**----- End of picture text -----**
“The AzuKo team has worked relentlessly during the pandemic to raise money and supply underrepresented communities with the necessary help and PPE to stop the spread of COVID-19. ~~They never~~ stop!” – Beth (supporter / UK)
**PPE + training** provided for frontline staff and volunteers
AzuKo Trustees’ Annual Report 2022
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## **EDUCATION & OUTREACH**
## **EVENTS**
We’re sharing our expertise to support individuals and organisations that want to ‘do good, better’. Our events this year reached 740+ people. Highlights:
- Showcasing our work with the community of Jogen Babu Maath in the exhibition ‘Bengal Stream: The Vibrant Architecture Scene of Bangladesh’ which brought together 60 projects by architects in Bangladesh. Having travelled globally, the exhibition reached its end at Bengal Shilpalay Art Gallery in Dhaka.
“This participatory approach to design ensures selfreliance rather than dependence on aid.”
- _Bengal Stream, Swiss Architecture Museum_
- Sharing learnings with other nonprofits operating in Bangladesh, as part of the ‘Working in Bangladesh’ forum
- Presenting to community groups, architecture and engineering firms, in both in the UK and Bangladesh
- Engaging with students at careers fairs, and sharing ideas around ‘alternative’ careers in architecture
- Featuring in articles, including Girls Under Construction, local gazettes and via our own blog, azuko.org
## **ADVOCACY**
We must raise our voices on behalf of the communities we serve so that no-one is left behind. Alongside delivering our work, we are committed to share what it means to live in housing poverty, our collaborative approach to improving living conditions, and the impact this has. The charity sector itself continues to be impacted by the pandemic and economic climate. We must listen, learn and innovate.
AzuKo is a member of:
- SIDCN, a global network of small international development charities
- Bond, a UK network for organisations working in international development
- NCVO, a community for charities and voluntary organisations in England
- RSA, the royal society for the encouragement of arts, manufactures and commerce
AzuKo Trustees’ Annual Report 2022
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## **FUNDRAISING BOOST**
We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has donated their money, time and resources. Throughout 2022 we supported fundraisers in their personal challenges, ran appeals and campaigns to boost our income.
## **CYCLING FOR CHANGE**
We had three fundraisers in RideLondon this year – Charlie, Tom and Richard – who cycled 100 miles from London through Essex to raise awareness and funds for our work. Collectively they raised over £4,100. Our Trustee Max also set himself the challenge of a lifetime. He raised over £1770 by cycling 870km in 7 days across England and Wales.
“AzuKo’s mission statement and ethos really struck a chord with me… I hope that by taking part I can also do my bit to help raise the profile of a smaller charity.” _– Richard (fundraiser / UK)_
## **THE BIG GIVE CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE**
For the fourth year running we participated in the Big Give, the UK’s largest matchfunding campaign. We set our biggest target yet, raising funds for our Decent toilets project in Bangladesh. With the opportunity to ‘twin a toilet’ we were overwhelmed with the response and generosity, raising £15,666.
## **ADDITIONAL SUPPORT**
We operate out of Collective Auction Rooms in London, UK. The co-working space offers workspace, wireless IT connectivity, meeting rooms, facilities and equipment free of charge. As a member of the Collective we network with hundreds of nonprofits and creative businesses.
AzuKo received gifts to support our operations and fundraising efforts, with an estimated value of £7,030. These included technical equipment, building materials and software.
Education & outreach
30
## **VOLUNTEERING CONTRIBUTION**
This year we worked with 34 volunteers from UK, Bangladesh and internationally. They shared their skills in everything from research and data visualisation, to architectural design and engineering. Collectively they contributed 1,873 hours, equivalent to £59,601. We’re a small charity, but a mighty one too, powered by a network of volunteers.
“A truly incredible organisation dedicated to improving housing conditions in vulnerable communities. I am so thankful to have been able to partake in such an effective organisation with a meaningful mission… It’s great to see the good that quality architecture can deliver.”
_– Zahin (volunteer / Australia)_
## **DRIVEN BY IMPACT**
We believe in measuring our impact to ensure we continue to make positive change, to learn and improve what we do, and to help us tell our story. It’s important to us that the communities we work with lead this process, so they own their data.
Financial review
32
## **FINANCIAL REVIEW**
Our main sources of funds this year have been grants, individual giving and contract income. Additional funds have been raised through our events, and corporate donations. We hold cash at bank of £47,939 at the year end.
## **THE FUNDING LANDSCAPE**
The current economic climate brings challenges for the charity sector, with donations yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. High inflation is driving up costs of delivery, and eating into the real value of income. We recognise the need to invest in resilience measures including good governance, staff development, and digital transformation.
The Trustees and CEO believe AzuKo is a well-respected organisation with a unique offering. Our figures show a fair financial position with a solid fundraising strategy in place. This year we delivered our Designing with dignity course, to further diversify our income and improve financial sustainability.
## **RESERVES POLICY**
Reserves are the unspent, unrestricted, undesignated funds of the charity. AzuKo’s reserves policy protects our work from unforeseen reduction in income, safeguarding the charity’s future and its ability to serve communities. It also ensures we do not retain income for longer than required.
Trustees assess the level of reserves we need by looking forward and considering risks to our funding, balanced against spending commitments. Despite the challenging funding landscape facing small charities, and particularly charities operating overseas, we have grown our income this year (32% increase). Our team are driven to meet the growing demand for housing support. We intend to further increase our capacity and reach next year, and to do this through a mix of funding.
To meet our objectives, we aim to hold reserves in the range of £27,500 and £54,000. We hold £30,750 in reserves at the year end, which was within our policy. It is recognised that this level is at the lower end, and we are looking at ways to build reserves, as we grow. The level of reserves is monitored, and the policy is reviewed by Trustees annually.
## **INCOME & EXPENDITURE BREAKDOWN**
We make every £1 count.
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Income
45% Grants
19% Other donations
19% Contract income
10% Events
7% Corporate donations
**----- End of picture text -----**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Expenditure
88% Costs of charitable activities
6% Fundraising costs
5% Support costs
1% Governance costs
**----- End of picture text -----**
AzuKo Trustees’ Annual Report 2022
33
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT**
## A: report
Report to Trustees/members of AzuKo On accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 Charity number 1156354 Set out on pages 2022 AzuKo receipts and payments 2022 AzuKo income type breakdown 2022 AzuKo restricted vs unrestricted income and expenditure 2022 AzuKo accounts 2022 AzuKo bank statement
Responsibilities and basis I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the of report Trust”) for the year ended 31 December 2022. As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my statement attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: • accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or • the accounts do not accord with the accounting records I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed Name Victoria McAulay Date 18 October 2023 Role and relevant professional Accountant qualification(s) or body (if any) Address: 3 Church Lane, Littleton, Winchester, SO22 6QY
## B: disclosure
Details of items that the None examiner wishes to disclose
Accounts 1 January - 31 December 2022
34
## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS**
## A: receipts and payments
||UNRESTRICTED|RESTRICTED|ENDOWMENT
TOTAL|LAST|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||FUNDS|FUNDS|FUNDS
FUNDS|YEAR|
|A1: RECEIPTS|[to the nearest £]|[to the nearest £]|[to the nearest £]
[to the nearest £]|[to the nearest £]|
|Corporate donations|5,680|500|-
6,180|4,403|
|Grants|17,915|22,901|-
40,816|40,936|
|Contract income|16,898|-|-
16,898|960|
|Other donations|9,871|7,141|-
17,013|21,719|
|Events|9,127|-|-
9,127|-|
|Subtotal(Gross income for AR)|59,491|30,542|-
90,033|68,018|
|A2: ASSET AND INVESTMENT SALES|||||
|-|-|-|-
-|-|
|-|-|-|-
-|-|
|Subtotal|-|-|-
-|-|
||||||
|Total receipts|59,491|30,542|-
90,033|68,018|
|A3: PAYMENTS|||||
|Costs of charitable activities|48,561|26,102|-
74,663|49,166|
|Fundraising costs|5,059|-|-
5,059|8,631|
|Governance costs|573|-|-
573|1,499|
|Support costs|2,983|756|-
3,739|8,169|
|Subtotal|57,175|26,857|-
84,033|67,465|
|A4: ASSET AND INVESTMENT|||||
|PURCHASES|||||
|Technical equipment|859|-|-
859|-|
|-|-|-|-
-|-|
|Subtotal|859|-|-
859|-|
||||||
|Total payments|58,034|26,857|-
84,892|67,465|
||||||
|Net of receipt/(payments)|1,456|3,685|-
5,141|553|
|A5: TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS|-|-|-
-|-|
|A6: CASH FUNDS LAST YEAR END|29,294|13,504|-
42,798|42,245|
|Cash funds this year end|30,750|17,189|-
47,939|42,798|
AzuKo Trustees’ Annual Report 2022
35
## B: STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT THE END OF THE PERIOD
|CATEGORIES|DETAILS||UNRESTRICTED|RESTRICTED|ENDOWMENT|ENDOWMENT|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||FUNDS|FUNDS||FUNDS|
||||[to the nearest £]|[to the nearest £]|[to the nearest £]||
|B1: CASH FUNDS|Barclays Community|Account|30,750|17,189||-|
||-||-|-||-|
|||Total cash funds|30,750|17,189||-|
|(agree balances with receipts and payments account(s))|||OK|OK||OK|
||||UNRESTRICTED|RESTRICTED|ENDOWMENT||
||||FUNDS|FUNDS||FUNDS|
||||[to the nearest £]|[to the nearest £]|[to the nearest £]||
|B2: OTHER MONETARY ASSETS|-||-|-||-|
||-||-|-||-|
||||FUND TO|COST||CURRENT|
||||WHICH ASSET|[optional]||VALUE|
||||BELONGS|||[optional]|
|B3: INVESTMENT ASSETS|-||-|-||-|
||-||-|-||-|
||||FUND TO|COST||CURRENT|
||||WHICH ASSET|[optional]||VALUE|
||||BELONGS|||[optional]|
|B4: ASSETS RETAINED FOR THE|Technical equipment|Unrestricted (Support costs)||859||-|
|CHARITY’S OWN USE|-||-|-||-|
||||FUND TO|AMOUNT||WHEN|
||||WHICH LIABILITY|DUE||DUE|
||||RELATES|[optional]||[optional]|
|B5: LIABILITIES|-||-|-||-|
||-||-|-||-|
|Signed on behalf of the Trustees|Signature||Print name||Date of approval||
|||Jefrey|Kenneth Francis||31|August 2023|
Plans for the future
36
## **FUTURE PLANS**
Our focus remains on Bangladesh and the UK. We will continue our long-term projects, supporting communities to improve living conditions, as well as short term consultancy to help organisations better serve their most vulnerable residents. We’re passionate about empowering women to be design leaders in their communities. Poverty is not gender neutral – discrimination means that women have far fewer resources to cope. We strongly believe that women’s empowerment leads to society’s advancement.
Things we’re excited about:
## **HUMANITARIAN ARCHITECTURE**
We pride ourselves on our rights-based approach and our unwavering commitment to co-design. We’re a purposefully small charity, intentional about our work and impact. However, we also recognise the importance of sharing our expertise and inspiring others to work more ethically and collaboratively. We aim to bring our Designing with dignity course to the UK in 2023.
## **GROWTH & IMPACT**
Multiple challenges are facing the world today. The effects of COVID-19 are still being felt, the war in Ukraine has far reaching implications contributing to energy and cost of living crises. And this is all coupled with a very real and very urgent climate crisis. We are seeing an increasing need for our work, and we aim to grow to meet this by:
- Expanding our core team, board of Trustees and advisors, and encouraging our network of supporters to fundraise and amplify our work
- Continue to diversify our funding, with a focus on grants, income-generating activities and individual giving
- Increasing our advocacy for improvements to housing policy and provision
## **PARTNERSHIPS**
We’re always exploring opportunities for collaboration with organisations which share our vision for a world without housing poverty. We’re pleased to confirm we will be working with Engineers Without Borders UK again in 2023 to inspire more globally responsible engineers.
“AzuKo uses architecture... to co-design, with local communities, solutions to climate change and poverty.” – Kate Hoyles (The Fore, UK)
.1
AzuKo charity & declaration
38
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT**
AzuKo is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and registered charity in England and Wales, no. 1156354. Our constitution (foundation) was adopted on 20 March 2014.
New Trustees are appointed by the board via a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting. In selecting individuals for appointment, the Trustees consider the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective governance of AzuKo.
The Trustees acknowledge that working in potentially insecure environments brings risks to staff members and programmes. A comprehensive security framework including policies, procedures, training and pre-deployment briefing ensures all staff are aware of the risks involved and appropriate management systems are in place.
## **REFERENCE & ADMINISTRATION DETAILS**
**Charity name** AzuKo **Registered charity no.** 1156354 **Principal address**
Collective Auction Rooms, 5-7 Buck Street, London, NW1 8NJ
## **Trustees**
Board members at FYE, 31 December 2022:
Additional board members at time of reporting, 2023:
- Reena Agarwal
- Max Barber, Treasurer
- Shamira Haider
- Deljana Iossifova, Chair
- James Maddison
-
- Radwa Rostom
- Emma Crichton
- Jeffrey Kenneth Francis
- Raymond Lopinski
- Jakhya Rahman-Corey
Chief Executive: Jo Ashbridge
## **DECLARATION**
The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the Trustees:
**Date** 24 October 2023 **Full name** Reena Agarwal **Position** Trustee
**Signature**
_Photography thanks to: AzuKo team, Designing with dignity participants, and Bengal Institute_
AzuKo’s energy and passion to ensure that everyone has a safe, clean and dignified place to call home, shines through. Despite global challenges, AzuKo continues to touch the lives of people in Bangladesh and the UK. With your vital support we aim to grow our reach and impact.”
_– Reena (Trustee, AzuKo)_
**Trustees’ Annual Report 1 January to 31 December 2022**
**AzuKo is a CIO and registered charity in England and Wales (no. 1156354) at Collective Auction Rooms, 5-7 Buck Street, London, NW1 8NJ, UK**
**azuko.org**