Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 5[th] April 2023 To 4[th] April 2024
Charity name: Wind Empowerment
Charity registration number: 1165510
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | Wind Empowerment (WE) supports the development of locally built wind turbines for sustainable rural electrification. This is achieved by strengthening the capacity of its members through: Building and sharing financial and human resource connections, performing joint technical research, sharing technical information and collaborating on key vendor relationships, Strengthening understanding of business and social models for effective implementation of small wind technology, Managing projects, offering consultancy services and developing/distributing products in line with the association’s guiding principles and in the interest of the members. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
Wind Empowerment organises workshops, conferences and knowledge exchange events to disseminate knowledge relating to open source locally built wind turbine and rural electrification technologies. WE also conducts research and development activities to develop these technologies, and to understand how they might better serve the needs of rural communities globally. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | Both the Board of Trustees and Executive Board of Wind Empowerment are assured that Wind Empowerment’s activities meet the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. |
Achievements and Performance
SORP reference In this period, we were focused to make funding applications for broader projects as well as the biannual Wind Empowerment Conference. Summary of the main achievements of the charity, We continued with our Water Pumping and identifying the difference the Para 1.20 Productive Uses projects with teams in charity’s work has made to Argentina and India, they continued their the circumstances of its work and brought to a close research on beneficiaries and any wider water pumping activities. benefits to society as a whole. The board has been focusing on fundraising and engaging with donors, whilst improving presence online through social media channels and the website. We also commenced a Corporate Partnerships approach aiming to build connections between industry and development work. Wind Empowerment brought together members new and old for the biannual conference, with fundraising efforts and coordination to that end, including sponsorships for members from South Sudan, Kenya, and Ghana.
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | As of the end of the financial period in question (April 2024/5) Wind Empowerment had sufficient funds to meet contracted |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| obligations along with reserves | ||
|---|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | Wind Empowerment has the policy of retaining reserves to the value of three months of operating costs for the Executive Board, in order to enable fundraising activities to launch new Wind Empowerment activities. Wind Empowerment operates exclusively on a grant/project basis. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £2000 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/A |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | Due to unsuccessful fundraising efforts the board agreed to carrying out activities on a voluntary basis and forgo payment, which resulted in reduced outputs, reserves sufficient for several years according to current outputs. The board are maintaining this position until further stability can be realised. |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s %trusts: |
N/A | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Wind Empowerment is governed on a legal basis by its constitution, and on a working basis by its charter. |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | The charity is a CIO |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Trustees are elected every two years during the Wind Empowerment Conference, at the same time as the election of the Executive Board. In the first instance, election is by consensus of all attendant Wind Empowerment members (as individuals - including those voting/nominating by correspondence). In the event that an election is contested or controversial, this triggers a formal voting process whereby |
only members of the Wind Empowerment Association with formal voting rights (defined in the charter as non-profit organisations) are eligible to vote.
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Wind Empowerment |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | Wind Empowerment Network, Wind Empowerment Association |
| Registered charity number | 1165510 |
| Charity’s principal address | Lawn Cottage Wyver Lane BELPER DE56 2EF |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Nam e of pers on (or body ) entitl ed to appo int trust ee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfred Alsop | N/A | |||
| Jon Leary | N/A | |||
| Marco Ogno | N/A | |||
| Howard Cramer | N/A | |||
| Ben Campbell | N/A | |||
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Full name(s) Alfred Ian Alsop
Position (eg Secretary, Trustee of the Board Chair, etc)
Date 14/04/2025