2024-12-31-accounts

Charity registration number: 1166008

Light for the World CIO

Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Contents

Contents
Reference and Administrative Details	1
Trustees' Report	2 to 5
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities	6
Independent Examiner's Report	7
Statement of Financial Activities	8
Balance Sheet	9
Notes to the Financial Statements	10 to 14

Reference and Administrative Details

Trustees

Jack McMahon (Chair) Thomas Shakespeare Faustina Urassa

National Director

Tom Kingsley

Principal Office

Light for the World CIO The Fisheries 1 Mentmore Terrace London E8 3PN

Charity Registration Number

1166008

Independent Examiner

Kolade Andrew Alli ACMA The ARK Financial Management Consultants Ltd 10 Gatcombe Gardens West End Hampshire SO18 3NA

Page 1

Trustees' Report

The trustees present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024.

OBJECTS

The objects of the CIO are for the benefit of the public:

(a) To relieve people who are suffering from blindness or restricted vision, and to prevent the onset of medical conditions which cause blindness or restricted vision, by providing comprehensive eye care services and promoting accessible healthcare;

(b) To relieve those who are in need by reason of these, and other forms of disability by promoting the accessibility of educational and welfare services to those affected, where possible with other members of the community in which they live.

(c) To advance the human rights of those so affected, by contributing to a world in which persons with disability can fully exercise those rights (as set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities) and by advocating, and raising awareness of, the rights of persons with disabilities, at National, EU and UN level.

Light for the World is an international disability and development organisation whose vision is an inclusive society where no one is left behind. We strive for accessible eye care services and support inclusive education, empowering persons with disabilities to participate equally in society.

Our Mission and Vision

Our vision is an inclusive society for all where no one is left behind, and all persons participate equally in the cultural, social, political, and economic environment.

Our mission is to contribute to a world in which persons with disabilities fully exercise their rights. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities guides us. Persons with disabilities living in poverty are amongst the most excluded groups in society. They are at the centre of our work, and they drive the change.

• We engage in empowering persons with disabilities to take development in their own hands.

• We strive to overcome all barriers in society and create access for people with disabilities.

• We are committed to improving eye health and promoting inclusive education, community-based rehabilitation, disability rights, livelihood, and disability inclusion.

• • We pay specific attention to women with disabilities, children with disabilities, and more excluded impairment groups within the disability community.

Page 2

Trustees' Report

Principal Activities

• Light for the World is a global disability & development organization, breaking down barriers to enrich society and unlock the potential in all of us.

• We enable crucial eye health services and empower people with disabilities in some of the poorest regions of the world.

• Light for the World CIO, registered in 2016 with an expert board of trustees, is strongly linked to this global organization and mission.

• Light for the World CIO works with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO, formerly DfID) and has recently closed programmes with the National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF). Light for the World CIO works with UK partners Sightsavers, Save the Children UK and Voluntary Services Overseas. Our programme and advocacy aim include:

• Education - ensuring children with disabilities receive quality, inclusive education.

• Economic Empowerment – supporting the livelihoods and rights of people with disabilities in their communities and within development efforts.

• Health and Eye Health - Strengthening health systems, preventing blindness, and promoting eye health for all.

• Humanitarian Action - Responding to protracted crises and emergencies.

• Our end beneficiaries are underserved communities around the world in low-income countries in Africa (including Ethiopia, Mozambique, South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya and Burkina Faso) and Asia (including Bangladesh and Nepal).

Page 3

Achievements and activities during the financial year

• Conceptualising and finalising a national level technical programme with Mott MacDonald on Education for All South Sudan (EFASS) commercial contract in South Sudan, with LftW as disability inclusion partner advising the consortium as well as implementing;

• Continued discussion to develop a technical proposal for the EFASS state anchor accountability grant opportunity (the grant has not yet been released);

• Partnership development for FCDO TREE programme in Ethiopia (to be released in 2025);

• Continued FCDO funding for inclusive education in Tanzania as part of the DID consortium;

• Continued implementation of the EAGLE programme in Mozambique with VSO;

• Continued implementation of Education Cannot Wait with Save UK in South Sudan;

• • Continued implementation of We Can Work and deepening of the partnership with Sightsavers, including LftW attendance to the Inclusive Futures event in the UK;

• Country Teams have been supported in networking and engaging with UK donors and partners at the country level to increase visibility and funding opportunities;

• Visit to Kenya to discuss deepening and developing new UK partnerships through inperson meetings with FCDO, VSO, Sightsavers and SCB;

• Active participation in the BOND Disability and Development Working Group (DDG) and joining new subgroups within BOND such as Children with Disabilities Group and Climate and Gender Groups;

• Participation in the pre-Global Disability Summit meetings in Cambridge, where the UK and International inclusive education community came together on shared objectives for GDS 2025 and to do a stocktake on inclusive education;

• Continued campaign work on global eye health through IAPB;

• Conceptualizing a different role for Light for the World in the UK, along with the international management team, to focus more on UK expertise and UK funding partnerships.

Page 3

Trustees' Report

Reserves Policy

Free Reserves

Light for the World International and its core members are encouraged to build up free reserves. The free reserves are used to cover unforeseen risks and other exceptional expenses. The reserves shall be built up during years when financial relations allow the allocation. We aim at a range of 5% to 10% of total expenditure, excluding direct programme expenses. The general reserve shall not fall below the fixed costs for a period of 3 months.

At the end of 2024, the free reserves of £ 4,260 are enough to fulfil this requirement.

Project Reserves

Light for the World International is responsible for implementing the programme for Light for the World CIO. Therefore, Light for the World International is responsible for securing sustainable project financing and the timely use of funds. Also, Light for the World International (and not Light for the World CIO) has to build up project reserves, if necessary.

Page 5

Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with the United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) and applicable law and regulations.

The law applicable to charities requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees 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 accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the applicable Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations, and the provisions of the constitution. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Approved by the trustees of the charity on July 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

Jack McMahon (Chair) Trustee

Page 6

Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Light for the World CIO

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024 which are set out on pages 8 to 14.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

As the charity’s trustees of Light for the World CIO 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 Light for the World CIO's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

Since Light for the World CIO's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants UK, which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of Light for the World CIO as required by section 130 of the Act; or

2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

...................................... Kolade Andrew Alli ACMA

The ARK Financial Management Consultants Ltd 10 Gatcombe Gardens West End Hampshire SO18 3NA

14[th] March……. 2025

Page 7

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total 2024 Total 2023	Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total 2024 Total 2023
Note £ £ £ £
Income and Endowments from:
Charitable activities	2,926 534,733 494,398 494,398
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities	(1,325) (534,733) (494,345) (494,345)
Total expenditure
	(1,325) (534,733) (494,345)
Net
income/(expenditure)	1601 - 1601 53
Gross transfers between
funds	- - - -
Net movement in funds
	1601 - 1601 53
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought
forward	2,659 - 2,659 2,606
Total funds carried
forward 8	4,260 - 4,260 2,659

All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods.

The funds breakdown for 2024 is shown in note 8.

Page 8

(Registration number: 1166008) Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2024

2024 2023	2024 2023
Note £ £
Current assets
Accounts receivable from institutional donors 5	101,691 70,935
Cash at bank and in hand 6	10,791 333,952
	112,482 404,887
Creditors: Amounts falling due within oneyear 7
	(108,222) (402,228)
Net assets
	4,260 2,659
Funds of the charity:
Restricted income funds
Restricted funds	- -
Unrestricted income funds
Unrestricted funds	4,260 2,659
Total funds 8
	4,260 2,659

The financial statements on pages 8 to 14 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on Month 2025 and signed on their behalf by:

................................................ Jack McMahon (Chair) Trustee

Page 9

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

1 Accounting policies

Statement of compliance

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 2015) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

Basis of preparation

Light for the World CIO meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.

Exemption from preparing a cash flow statement

The charity opted to early adopt Bulletin 1 published on 2 February 2016 and have therefore not included a cash flow statement in these financial statements.

Going concern

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.

Expenditure

All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, its probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs 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.

Charitable activities

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

Page 10

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Taxation

The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

Fund structure

Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees’ discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the 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 purpose.

2 Income from charitable activities

2 Income from charitable activities	2 Income from charitable activities
Unrestricted
funds Restricted Total Total
General funds 2024 2023
£ £ £ £
Donations from individuals 2,926 - 2,926 969
Indirect institutional funding - 534,733 534,733 493,429
	2,926 534,733 537,659 494,398

Page 11

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

3 Expenditure on charitable activities

	Unrestricted
	funds Restricted Total Total
	General funds 2024 2023
	£ £ £ £
Project Expenses	- 534,733 534,733 493,429
Independent
examiner's fee	1,260 - 1,260 900
Charges connected to
donations	65 - 65 16
	1,325 534,733 536,058 494,345

Page 12

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

4 Taxation

The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.

5	Accounts receivable from institutional donors
		2024	2023
		£	£
2024 project implementation expenses
paid bydonor in 2025		101,691	70,935
6	Cash and cash equivalents
		2024	2023
		£	£
Cash at bank		10,791	333,952
7	Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
		2024	2023
		£	£
Light for the World International		107,142	401,329
Accruals		1,080	900
		108,222	402,228

8 Funds

	Balance at 1 January Incoming Resources Balance at 31 December
	2024 resources expended Transfers 2024
	£ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General
	2,659 2,926 (1,325) - 4,260
Restricted funds
	- 534,733 (534,733) - -
Total funds
	2,659 537,659 (536,058) - 4,260

Page 13

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2023

	31 December 2023
	Balance at 1 January Incoming Resources Balance at 31 December
	2023 resources expended Transfers 2023
	£ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General
	2,606 969 (916) - 2,659
Restricted funds
	- 493,429 (493,429) - -
Total funds
	2,606 494,398 (494,345) - 2,659

Page 14