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2024-12-31-accounts

Company number: 11136659 Charity number: 1179608

Safe Passage International

Report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

Safe Passage is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales with the registered office PO Box 79446, London E2 2HS Safe Passage International is regulated in the UK by the IAA with the authorisation number N201800034

Safe Passage International

Contents

For the year ended 31 December 2024

Contents

Contents
Report and financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2024 3
Safe Passage International’s work in 2024 4
Safe Passage International Mission, Vision & Values 6
Public Benefit 8
Safe Passage International Activities 8
GOALS 1 and 2: We will improve access to safe routes for refugees inside and outside of
Europe who seek protection within Europe 9
GOAL 3: We will challenge policies and rhetoric that undermine the fundamental right to
seek asylum in Europe 16
Fundraising in 2024 27
Our Standards 27
Third Parties 28
Income and Expenditure 29
Reserves Policy 30
Risk Management 31
Appointment of trustees 32
Remuneration Policy 33
References and Administrative Details 35
Statement of responsibilities of the trustees 36
Auditor 38

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Safe Passage International

Trustees’ Annual Report

For the year ended 31 December 2024

Trustees’ Annual Report

The trustees present their report and the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Reference and administrative information set out on pages 35 forms part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the memorandum and articles of association, the requirements of a directors’ report as required under company law, and the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: SORP applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS 102.

The trustees have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity's aims and objectives and in planning its future activities.

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Safe Passage International’s work in 2024

Abdisamad, Expert by Experience Consultant and Safe Passage Young Leader

My name is Abdisamad, and my journey with Safe Passage International began as a client. The organisation not only provided me with the legal assistance I needed but also gave me hope and a sense of belonging during one of the most challenging times of my life. I’m very happy to introduce the 2024 annual report to share our activities with you.

In July 2023, I began my active involvement with Safe Passage as a Young Leader (a youth advocacy group for 16-25 year olds with lived experience of seeking safety) and now I am part of the Expert by Experience Consultants (EBE). In this role, I use my lived experience to inform and improve the support Safe Passage offers to others. My journey from client to advocate has been transformative and reflects the core of what Safe Passage stands for: empowering individuals to not only find safety but also to thrive and lead.

The EBE programme is a cornerstone of Safe Passage’s approach. It empowers individuals with lived experience to advise and inform decisions being taken at every level across the organisation whether it be driving policy change or shaping campaigns. By centring our voices, Safe Passage ensures that its work is grounded in the realities of those it serves, creating more impactful and meaningful change.

2024 has been incredibly rewarding. As an EBE Consultant, I’ve been involved in the expansion of the arrival support that Safe Passage offers. I was actively involved in advising on this initiative, as I know first-hand that help does not stop once children are reunited with their families. Many challenges arise after family reunification, from navigating new environments to accessing education and mental health support. That’s why the introduction of two new dedicated arrival and social support workers this year has been so vital. This role ensures that families and individuals receive the ongoing support they need to thrive in their new lives.

One of the highlights of last year was when the Young Leaders had the opportunity to speak on stage at Glastonbury Festival, where we amplified the voices of refugees and shared Safe

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Passage’s mission. This platform allowed us to raise awareness about the challenges faced by refugees and the importance of safe routes, connecting with people from all walks of life.

While we celebrated significant achievements last year, we also faced heart-breaking challenges. The tragic loss of lives at sea continues, highlighting the urgent need for the government to provide safe routes for those seeking safety. Even with a new government in the UK there has been a troubling trend of implementing harsh laws that punish those seeking sanctuary instead of offering protection and support.

During the summer, we also witnessed anti-immigration protests and riots which created an atmosphere of fear and hostility for asylum seekers. During this challenging time, the Young Leaders, with the support of Safe Passage, created a safe space for us to come together, share our experiences and support one another.

This solidarity has been a source of strength and resilience, reminding us why we must continue the fight for the rights of those seeking safety.

I look forward to the journey ahead as we continue to build a future where everyone has the right to seek safety with dignity.

To those still searching for sanctuary: we will not stop fighting for your right to live in peace and security. Together, we will continue to advocate for a world where compassion triumphs over fear and where safe passage is not just a dream but a reality for all.

SPI Young Leader Graduation, March 2024

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Safe Passage International Mission, Vision & Values

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Public Benefit

Safe Passage International (SPI) is a charity for public benefit. The objects of the charity are, for the public benefit, the relief of refugees, asylum seekers, migrant workers and their families and dependents who are in conditions of need, hardship and distress (in such ways as are exclusively charitable under the law of England and Wales) in particular but without limitation by assisting individuals to access safe and legal routes to sanctuary within and between countries.

Safe Passage International Activities

SPI’s cross-border legal teams provide expert legal assistance and representation to children, separated families and adults in vulnerable circumstances who are seeking safety and protection in Europe. The charity’s legal expertise is focused on unaccompanied children and family reunion, using domestic and European immigration and asylum law to help people make safe journeys to European countries where they have a link or family tie. SPI’s legal, safeguarding and protection staff also work with children and families to ensure they can access basic rights such as accommodation, health care and social support throughout the legal process and when arriving at their destination country.

SPI currently has registered offices in the UK, Greece and France, and in 2024, had a presence in Poland.

SPI’s campaigning and advocacy work maximises impact by advocating for systemic improvements to policies and practices that impede refugee rights. Through a combination of political advocacy, campaigning, and strategic litigation, SPI builds and coordinates campaigns to challenge narratives about refugee rights and to secure political change to enable broader access to safe routes to sanctuary for all. SPI’s work is underpinned by a staunch commitment to anti-racism and a belief that, to achieve maximum impact, the organisation’s work and decision-making must be informed by people from refugee backgrounds with direct experience of its work. SPI’s teams work hard to provide access to safe alternatives to the dangerous journeys that many feel they have no choice but to make.

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GOALS 1 and 2: We will improve access to safe routes for refugees inside and outside of Europe who seek protection within Europe

2024 saw SPI continue its core legal work to assist children to reunite with family in Europe, from countries both inside and outside of the European Union. The routes SPI focuses on are complex and ever-changing, and the need for safeguarding and protection is increasing. The charity sees that, where children are left in limbo due to failures in safe routes, there is a further risk of trauma, mental health difficulties, and, in the worst cases, children growing frustrated with the legal process and trying to travel irregularly in a desperate attempt to reach their family. Many of these children go missing.

In 2024, SPI used its legal expertise in Greece, France and the UK to collectively:

SPI UK

In 2024, the legal team in the UK opened 52 new cases for a total of 87 applicants (for both children and family members), for Afghan, Eritrean, Iranian, Sudanese, Palestinian, Burmese and Ukrainian nationals. Due to the complex nature of this work, the majority of those cases are still ongoing. However, the team secured safe arrivals to the UK for 35 successful cases, the majority of which were opened in 2023 or before. Demonstrating the importance of SPI’s expert legal advocacy, the UK legal team also successfully represented 8 appeal cases (for a total of 15 appellants), ensuring those 15 people could reach safety in the UK despite initially being denied that right.

SPI UK continued to work on family reunion Entry Clearance cases from within Europe, but also started to see greater success in such casework for those outside of Europe. For example, in July 2024, the application for a family of five Afghans to travel safely to the UK was finally granted, two and a half years after the initial application was submitted. The case was referred out for judicial review, first to challenge the delay and then the refusal of biometric deferral. SPI’s legal team did not give up, fighting each challenge with specialist legal advocacy, but during that time the family faced extreme hardship and violence, for which SPI provided safeguarding and protection support. This case demonstrates the detrimental impact Home Office decision-making

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can cause, and the importance of dedicated legal experts able to advocate for and support separated families with the legal right to travel safely to the UK.

Throughout 2024, UK Legal also maintained a strategic focus on assisting children and families fleeing Israel’s war in Gaza, Palestine, for which Israel faces a legal process alleging genocide at the International Court of Justice. SPI is one of the few organisations still taking on such cases in collaboration with The Migrants’ Law Project and Islington Law Centre. This is extremely complex casework and SPI’s legal staff are navigating a situation that is growing ever more severe on the ground. In total, 360 people (comprising 137 family units) received legal support and/or advice, and of these the team provided legal representation on 19 cases ( 45 clients). SPI also delivered capacity building training on Family Reunion Applications for Palestinians (in collaboration with Doughty Street Chambers) to 60 solicitors, caseworkers, barristers and NGO staff, reaching 120 people in total through a training recording.

Without an end to the war and occupation of Gaza in sight, all those cases that have been successful so far are cases in which the clients have been able to exit Gaza (of their own accord) and subsequently apply for entry clearance from Egypt. Thanks to SPI’s legal and campaigns advocacy (detailed under Goal 3), the Home Office now issues predetermination decisions to people in Gaza, but they remain unable to leave whilst Israel maintains a full blockade.

13 year old Iyad’s* entire family was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza, which also left him severely injured, needing urgent medical treatment. Iyad was initially treated in Gaza before being evacuated to Egypt due to the severity of his injuries. His uncle in the UK reached out to us for help in bringing Iyad to safety so we immediately began the process to secure a family reunion visa. Thanks to these efforts and the support of the wider community, Iyad’s visa was granted in May 2024. He arrived in the UK in June, where he is now safe, with his uncle and settling into his new community. * names changed to protect identity

SPI Greece

In 2024, SPI Greece began implementing its 2024 – 2026 Development Plan, which systematically expands core activities beyond Dublin III regulation cases. Historically, SPI Greece’s legal work centred on Greece as a ‘sending’ country for family reunification cases within Europe. However, under the Development Plan, SPI Greece extends a strategic focus to: 1) supporting recognised

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refugees in Greece to bring their family members outside of Europe to Greece for reunification as a ’receiving state’, with an initial focus on Syrian and Palestinian families, and 2) supporting recognised refugees’ families, especially single parents, to obtain travel documents from the Greek Asylum Service to travel to EU states where they have children or family links. Having identified a sector-wide gap in this type of support in 2023, this expanded focus, alongside continuing Dublin cases to other EU states and Entry Clearance cases to the UK, collectively underlines a strategic focus on the right to family unity and safe family reunification.

SPI Greece provided direct assistance on 39 cases in 2024, supporting a total of 84 people ( 45 in Greece and 39 outside), with expert legal and social support. This culminated in the successful completion of 23 cases, with examples including: 3 people arriving safely to Greece via family reunion from a non-European state; 10 people (4 cases) travelling safely to another EU state under the Dublin III regulation, and 1 example of second tier advice to safely transfer a person from Cyprus to Austria. The team also supported 28 people with refugee status in Greece to obtain travel documents to visit family in other EU countries, and continues to take an active role in Entry Clearance casework to the UK in collaboration with the UK Legal Team.

With this expanded approach, for the first time in the summer of 2024, SPI Greece successfully reunited families in ‘two directions’. In August, SPI Greece facilitated the ‘receiving’ of a Palestinian refugee’s family (his wife and children), who now live in Greece with equal duration protection status to the father of the family, thanks to SPI’s legal casework under the EU Family Reunification Directive (2003/86/EC). Additionally, in September, SPI Greece facilitated the ‘sending’ of an unaccompanied child to Italy, where he was reunited and now lives with his family members under Dublin Regulation provisions. Prior to SPI Greece’s intervention, the boy’s case had been rejected. However, by re-opening the case in the Greek Dublin Unit and submitting a reexamination request, the team used its legal expertise to achieve a positive outcome. Without SPI Greece’s legal advocacy, the boy may otherwise never have been reunited with his family, despite having the legal right.

SPI Greece also maintains an active role working in camps around Athens (Attika region) to establish contacts within the Greece Reception and Identification Service (YPYT). Through enhanced contact, the team delivers information sharing sessions on Dublin cases and social support, and establishes referral links from the service to SPI Greece’s legal and social support services, whereby people in camps would otherwise have no knowledge on family reunification rights and pathways. Moreover, towards the end of 2024, after a two year period of low arrivals,

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Greece experienced a significant increase in the number of people arriving. Again, first reception and open accommodation spaces within the Greek Reception Services became overcrowded, lacking adequate support, particularly for unaccompanied children. In response, SPI Greek staff visited Lesvos and Malakasa registration camps, holding meetings with the centres’ administration and staff members to generate learning and share information.

SPI France

SPI France continued to be recognised as the sector leader for expertise on issues relating to unaccompanied children seeking family reunion and protection in France. In 2024, legal staff in France supported 75 people with family reunification casework, and provided legal advice to 286 people, including 153 children. At the end of 2024, SPI France had 51 active cases, including 34 international cases (primarily families from Afghanistan, as well as cases across Africa including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, Sudan, Somalia, Mali, and Benin), 3 Entry Clearance cases in close collaboration with UK Legal, and 14 family reunification cases under EU regulations.

SPI France also hired a new Social Support Worker to support children and families pre- and postreunification, to ensure basic needs are met and that families have a better chance to thrive in France. At the end of 2024, they were supporting 15 such cases.

With a strong focus on capacity building to share SPI France’s legal expertise on safe routes and family reunification, the team trained over 300 sector peers through 14 legal workshops in 2024. Trainings were delivered across France, as well as in Cyprus and Malta, and were focused on one of three areas: Entry Clearance and family reunification between France and the UK; family reunification between EU countries to France; and family reunification from outside Europe. This important work ensures SPI’s expertise is scaled up and shared across Europe, meaning many more children and families indirectly benefit from SPI France’s expert legal knowledge.

Importantly, SPI France maintained a strategic focus on legal advocacy to ensure barriers to family reunification and safe routes are identified and challenged. SPI, alongside UNICEF and several French NGOs, participated in strategic litigation before the “Conseil d’Etat” on access to fundamental rights for unaccompanied minors, including reception and evaluation. This procedure garnered media interest and SPI France was referenced in this press release. Additionally, in partnership with MSF, ECPAT, Utopia 56 and other NGOs, SPI France submitted a communication to the Council of Europe regarding the Khan decision to highlight ongoing issues and challenges faced by unaccompanied children at the France-UK border. The team also submitted a request to

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“Défenseur des droits” (DDD) (Rights Defender) on the challenges and delays within the family reunion procedure in France.

Leveraging its expertise in partnership with peers in the sector across Europe, SPI France remained a key partner in the CALENA project in Northern France. In collaboration with ECPAT, the French Red Cross, PSM and Utopia 56, the project brings together a cross-section of expertise to improve the protection situation for unaccompanied children at the border between France and the UK. SPI France also continued its membership of the European Council of Refugees and Exiles (ECRE), and is currently monitoring the implementation of the new EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, and its impact on family reunification in France.

Crisis Response Work

REUNIR

Led by SPI France, the REUNIR project was established in 2021 to support individuals and families displaced by the crisis in Afghanistan to reunite with their families via safe pathways to France. Following two years of success, the project expanded its scope for 2024, to support individuals from various nationalities affected by global conflicts. The project provides free legal advice and representation on family reunion and asylum visa applications, prioritising unaccompanied children and at-risk individuals. To maximise impact long-term, REUNIR legal staff provide capacity building training to legal and social professionals, foster cross-sector collaboration, support strategic litigation and advocate for progressive migration policies.

Since its launch in 2022, REUNIR successfully reunited 30 families, and supported over 500 people in their pursuit of safety. In 2024, the REUNIR project supported 226 people, including 125 children and represented 47 families. This resulted in the issuance of 48 visas and reuniting 13 families safely in France. Thanks to the expansion of the project in 2024, in addition to supporting Afghan nationals, REUNIR took on casework for individuals from Sudan, Somalia, Guinea and Ivory Coast. In 2024, the project also worked towards systemic reforms to ease the path for future applicants by lodging 17 appeals and training 239 professionals through capacity building.

Sudan Response Project

Devastating conflict in Sudan has been ongoing since April 2023 and humanitarian needs continue to deepen. Mainstream media has woefully overlooked this civil war, and specific pathways have

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not been opened by the UK Government to support those looking for safety and family in the UK, unlike the Afghan and Ukrainian schemes.

Following a scoping exercise, in which 790 people impacted by the war in Sudan completed a survey and expression of interest, SPI launched the UK Sudan Project in September 2024 in collaboration with six law firms on a pro bono basis. The core objectives of the project are to increase the number of people impacted by the war in Sudan accessing safe routes to the UK, with a focus on increasing access to family reunion pathways to the UK, and increasing awareness on routes to safety for people impacted by the war.

The first phase of the project focused on set up and implementation with a Community Mobiliser recruited to coordinate the project; 98 pro bono volunteers onboarded and trained to provide legal capacity and advice; and 21 information resources disseminated to aid the effective running of the project. The project is now operating with an initial seven cases of direct legal representation, totalling 21 people receiving SPI’s expert advice and support. This is due to grow throughout 2025. The below case study demonstrates the potential impact the project can make:

Amal experienced considerable hardship during her pregnancy. In an effort to access familial support, she travelled to Sudan to give birth with the assistance of a family member. However, three days after her arrival, conflict broke out in the country. As a result, Amal was forced to return to the UK, leaving behind her two-month-old baby, Salam, who had not yet been issued a passport. Salam, now 20 months old, has since been cared for by their grandparent. Due to the deteriorating security situation in Sudan, they were compelled to undertake a difficult and perilous journey to reach safety in Chad. Salam’s parents are desperate to be reunited with their baby and to bring them safely to the UK with the support of legal advice and representation provided by the SPI Sudan Project. *Personal details have been changed to protect client confidentiality.

Ukraine Response Project

Throughout 2024, SPI continued delivering legal advice and support to Ukrainians, displaced by Russia’s war in Ukraine, wishing to safely relocate to the UK. Based in Poland, the SPI Ukraine Response Project (URP) supported Ukrainians to make applications under the Ukraine Family Scheme and the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, and SPI was the only organisation left on the ground

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in Poland supporting Ukrainian refugees. In September 2024, the project completed its second and final year of successful operation.

In its first 18 months, the project assisted 471 people, resulting in 129 visas being issued. However, things changed dramatically in February 2024 when the Government issued a Statement of Changes, closing down the Ukraine Family Scheme with immediate effect and significantly limiting the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, meaning Ukrainian nationals in the UK with temporary leave could no longer sponsor their family. Between February – September 2024, the project therefore focused on advising clients on alternative routes to reaching safety and family in the UK, and sadly encountered several cases in which families were resultantly unable to reunite in the UK.

This meant that the clinic had to find new creative ways to support Ukrainians, focusing largely on leave outside the Rules (LOTR) casework, which is much more complex legally and practically, requiring more in-depth legal support than a walk-in clinic can provide. As such, SPI decided to close down URP and its walk-in clinic, and instead shift focus to complex cases where clients are provided direct legal representation through SPI’s legal staff who are experts in human rights and family reunion provisions. Three such cases were initially taken on, with a commitment to take on up to 15 at any one time.

In 2024, SPI’s Ukraine Response Project was shortlisted for a Pro Bono Award at the LExis Nexis Legal Awards and was also shortlisted for an award at The Lawyer Awards.

Afghan Pro Bono Initiative

The Afghan Pro Bono Initiative (APBI) in the UK continued to run smoothly as a joint project with Refugee Legal Support (RLS) and 14 commercial law firms. The project’s aim is to address the pressing need for Afghan nationals and their families to access crucial legal information, advice, and representation concerning safe routes to the UK, particularly after the Taliban takeover.

In 2024, the project opened 23 cases, and ensured the successful arrival of 11 cases ( 22 people, including 18 children). Addressing systemic barriers, the APBI project also lodged 13 appeals, of which 4 have so far been accepted. At the end of 2024, the project was working on 32 cases at various stages, and had also provided one-off advice 44 times via drop-in sessions. In July 2024, the project welcomed the Government’s announcement of a new pathway for family members of those granted leave under the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme Pathway. This is detailed further under Goal 3.

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GOAL 3: We will challenge policies and rhetoric that undermine the fundamental right to seek asylum in Europe

Throughout 2024, SPI’s work under Goal 3 continued to be of crucial strategic importance. The hostile environment towards refugees increased, with racist riots in the UK violently targeting Black, Brown and immigrant communities, as well as threatening and attacking organisations providing accommodation, support and advice to people from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds. Meanwhile, elections across Europe brought opportunities for change, alongside ever more racist narratives and policies that undermine the fundamental right to seek asylum.

In response, SPI fought harder than ever to galvanise political and public support for safe routes, winning 5 major policy changes with:

Marking the significance of SPI’s campaigning, the organisation was nominated for Campaigning Team of the Year in the 2024 Charity Times Awards.

In preparation for a UK General Election in July 2024, SPI launched the #RallyWithRefugees campaign and published its General Election Manifesto. The manifesto called for all political parties to end the use of inflammatory, racist and anti-refugee rhetoric, ensure refugees have safe alternatives to dangerous journeys, renew the UK’s commitment to international cooperation, restore the right to seek asylum, and build an asylum system with dignity. The campaign called on supporters to write to their Prospective Parliamentary Candidates (PPCs), asking them to pledge to prioritise safe routes for the next 5 years, so people fleeing war and persecution can find safety, family, and a fresh start. The campaign action was taken by more than 1,000 people within three days of its launch and over 260 prospective PPCs pledged their support for safe routes, 15 of whom went on to become elected as an MP.

With a new Government elected in July, influencing work began quickly. The Campaigns Team sent welcome packs to all new MPs, attended all main party conferences in the autumn, secured press

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coverage to put public pressure on the new government, and mobilised supporters to amplify this work. SPI also cofounded the Safe Routes Coalition, along with a number of leading refugee organisations, to coordinate influencing on safe routes, and through this coalition SPI secured a private roundtable with the new Immigration Minister at Labour Party Conference.

SPI’s tactic of targeting Opposition parties over the last two years, in the knowledge that a change of Government was the most likely outcome of the UK General Election, finally came to fruition. Building on many years of tireless campaigning and advocacy, SPI achieved five major policy wins for refugees in 2024 after the General Election. This included opening new safe routes for people fleeing Afghanistan and Ukraine, and scrapping some of the last Government’s cruellest policies, as detailed below.

1) Ending of asylum ban

In March 2023, the Government announced the Illegal Migration Bill, which all but ended the right to asylum in the UK, as well as threatening the detention of an estimated 120,000 asylum seekers. SPI lobbied cross-party MPs and Peers to let them know SPI’s position was clear: reject the Bill. SPI also provided evidence for parliamentary debates, led an amendment to protect child refugees against the bill (which reached the final stages of consideration of Lords/Commons amendments), mobilised over 6,000 online supporters across the UK, and secured media coverage, including a Channel 5 interview with a Young Leader and an op-ed from Lord Dubs in the Financial Times. Young Leaders also shared their concerns and recommendations in a briefing to Parliamentarians and a Parliamentary event brought together Young Leaders and House of Lord’s Peers.

These efforts led to Opposition parties formally opposing the asylum ban, when it had originally been unclear whether they would all do so. Their opposition to the ban was ultimately then repeated in party manifestoes before the General Election, and the ban was finally lifted after the change of government in July 2024. This meant that thousands of refugees across the UK, who had been living in fear and uncertainty, would finally have their asylum claims processed.

2) Ending of Rwanda Scheme

The Safety of Rwanda Act 2024 aimed to designate Rwanda as a safe country to return asylum seekers to, following a Supreme Court ruling that this was not the case. During its passage, SPI campaigned against it, signing a joint letter to the Prime Minister as part of 265 organisations condemning the Rwanda Bill. This was sent to members of the House of Lords to show a unified opposition to the bill and was covered in the media, with SPI advocating on the issue across local

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and national media. SPI very much welcomed the repeal of this Act with the change of government, which is now being repealed in its entirety through the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill.

3) Extension of Afghan Scheme

After three years fighting for Afghan families separated in the 2021 evacuations from Kabul, SPI finally reached a breakthrough in 2024. Originally, the Government promised that Afghans would be resettled with their families, but did not open a route for people to actually join their loved ones. Prevented from coming to the UK, people were left stranded - often in danger from the Taliban and sometimes in hiding. Thanks to SPI campaigning and advocacy, the Government opened a family reunion route for separated Afghan families in July 2024.

It took thousands of people standing up for justice and relentless pressure on officials to make this happen. Our Young Leaders led SPI’s campaign, personally handing in their joint letter to Downing Street that called for improved safe routes for Afghans. SPI’s campaigning included coordinating a Parliamentary event with MPs and Peers, providing evidence and speaking at the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Refugees, securing a Westminster Hall debate, briefing cross-party MPs, mobilising 6,186 supporters online to take action, and co-publishing a report on family reunion. When the announcement was made, SPI supported those with lived experience to speak to national media about their family.

4) Changes to Ukraine Scheme

With no option to sponsor family members to join them in the UK, Ukrainians under the Homes for Ukraine, Ukraine Family and Ukraine Extension schemes were entirely excluded from refugee family reunion. Through SPI’s Ukraine Response Project and core casework, the organisation saw first-hand the devastation this caused, especially for children who were prevented from joining their parents with temporary status here - all while the war raged on.

In collaboration with the Ukraine Working Group, led by the British Red Cross (BRC), SPI campaigned to change this policy, preparing a joint briefing with BRC, briefing parliamentary advisors as a coalition, and securing written questions in both the Commons and the Lords. SPI also worked with the Refugee Council to publish and disseminate a report, Families Belong Together, highlighting the problems with this policy and recommendations for change.

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In January 2025, the Government updated its guidance so that Ukrainian nationals under the Ukraine Visa schemes can now sponsor their children (under the age of 18) to join them in the UK. These children will receive permission to stay for up to 18 months, with access to education, healthcare, benefits and other vital resources. This is a huge relief for many Ukrainian families who have been waiting in fear and uncertainty, and it proves that people power works.

5) Changes to biometrics policy preventing family reunion

Under the usual family reunion process, the Home Office requires applicants to travel to a Visa Application Centre (VAC) to submit biometrics before their application can be submitted. This can mean applicants have to make several dangerous and expensive journeys, sometimes across borders, without any assurance that their application will be successful. On 8 February 2024, the Government issued further restrictions to this biometric guidance, making it even harder, if not impossible, for those in unable to travel to VACs to apply for family reunion, including people in Gaza.

SPI therefore started a legal challenge via the courts and issued a Pre-Action Protocol letter with a view to lodging a Judicial Review claim. SPI also worked with the Shadow Minister for Immigration and staff in the Shadow Home Secretary’s team to raise this issue. This led to the Shadow Minister raising this as a concern in Parliament and showing support for the changes SPI advocated for. After the election, these lobbying efforts came to fruition with the new Government changing the policy. There are now fewer barriers for our clients and other families facing challenges with biometrics in their family reunion applications.

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GOAL 4: We will hold ourselves accountable to all those connected and committed to our work by embodying our values and mission on every level that we operate

Goal 4 of SPI’s strategy outlines a belief that to achieve maximum impact for the people we work with, the internal culture and structures should reflect SPI’s core values, and the organisation must work with and not for people with lived experience (LEx). Under this goal, SPI commits to shifting power to people who have direct experience of seeking sanctuary through the integration of experts by experience into decision-making structures at every level, and to challenge power imbalances in our work that infringe on people’s fundamental rights and dignity within the organisation, as in the wider world. This includes a particular focus on anti-racism and gender equity, as well as ensuring a safe working environment that prioritises a culture of wellbeing, where all staff feel safe and confident in their work.

Throughout 2024, increasing representation of staff from refugee backgrounds and Black and Brown staff continued to be a key priority, as SPI continued to strive to be an organisation representative of the communities it works within. The Operations Team further developed and embedded inclusive recruitment practices and positive action mechanisms to ensure the recruitment process is equitable for people from all backgrounds, and to train recruiting managers in consistent application of these processes. To monitor inclusive recruitment progress, equal opportunities data is collected annually and 2024 data demonstrates some positive outcomes.

For 2024, the UK team comprised 59% staff from Black, Asian, Mixed or Other Minoritised backgrounds; 12% with direct lived experience; and 24% with generational lived experience. The workforce continued to be women-led, with 76% of UK staff identifying as female. Meanwhile, the Board comprised 30% trustees from Black, Asian, Mixed and Other Minoritised Ethnic backgrounds; 29% with direct lived experience; and 14% with generational lived experience.

To ensure progress is made towards Goal 4 within decision-making structures as well as through recruitment, the Expert by Experience (EBE) Programme was renewed for a second year in 2024, as a formal and fairly remunerated mechanism for Young Leaders to take an active role in decisionmaking. The long-term programme objective is to fully integrate the perspectives of young people with lived experience into decision-making processes at every level of the organisation. As LEx as a refugee is diverse, the programme is designed to complement trustees and staff who also have lived experience, and ensures decisions are increasingly informed by a broad range of people with LEx without waiting for further recruitment progress.

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Trustees’ Annual Report

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At the time of inception, although some organisations operated ‘ambassador schemes’, this was an innovative programme within the refugee sector. In recent years, SPI has been viewed as a leader in the refugee sector driving forward meaningful initiatives to increase the representation of people with LEx at all levels. Staff (including EBE Consultants) and Young Leaders have been invited to speak at external events to showcase SPI’s work around inclusive recruitment, positive action and the EBE Programme, and SPI continues to network and learn from its peers to constantly learn about, implement and advise on best practice in this area.

In 2024, the EBE programme appointed its second cohort of paid Expert by Experience Consultants, recruited from SPI’s Young Leaders group. Positively, consultation with staff highlights that 83% of EBE Consultants believe their advice is listened to and actioned by staff; and 80% of staff who work closely with EBEs receive relevant advice. In 2024, the EBE

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Safe Passage International

Trustees’ Annual Report

For the year ended 31 December 2024

consultants delivered over 680 hours of work, including the following outputs:

As work progressed towards SPI’s strategic commitments to work with and not for people with LEx, the frequency and breadth of ways people with LEx engage in SPI’s work grew dramatically. A Lived Experience Manifesto and a Lived Experience Compensation Framework were therefore co-produced between an EBE Consultant and the Operations Team. To ensure equity, the compensation framework sets out exactly how Young Leaders, volunteers, staff, supporters and trustees with LEx can engage; at what level; and whether that engagement requires recognition, reward, reimbursement and/or remuneration (and if so, how much). To support this work further, a Lived Experience Manifesto was co-produced, which articulates clearly SPI’s values and commitments for working with people with LEx meaningfully, safely and equitably to ensure everyone can thrive in their roles.

In 2024, SPI was also awarded Bronze Trailblazer status with Race Equality Matters , in acknowledgement of the organisation’s ongoing commitment and dedication to promoting inclusivity and an anti-racist agenda. 100% of judges voted that SPI’s application demonstrated evidence of action taken in tackling racial inequality. Key strengths were summarised as: evidence of the impact of embedding an anti-racism approach across the organisation with clear action plans and implementation; bravery in hiring an external consultant who assessed the organisation; clear co-produced action planning with long-term commitments; a dedicated EDI and anti-racism budget; evidence of addressing racism at a system level; communication channels for ethnically diverse colleagues to ensure their voices are heard; inclusive recruitment; and strong lived experience participation and leadership. Resultantly, SPI is invited to apply for the Silver Trailblazer status in 2025 or 2026.

Furthermore, 2024 saw the formal launch of SPI’s Anti-Racism Executive Committee , established to drive forward SPI’s anti-racism work, lead a culture of accountability, and provide a safe space for Black, Brown and Other Minoritised Ethnic staff, trustees and Young Leaders to discuss their experiences. The Committee is led by two Co-Chairs (a paid Young Leader and a staff member), and wider membership comprises SPI staff, trustees, Young Leaders and EBE Consultants. As a crucial but new accountability mechanism requiring meaningful input from members at every level of the organisation, the Committee faced initial structural and resourcing challenges in its first full year. As such, a learning review was delivered by the Co-Chairs, identifying the Committee’s strengths and areas for development. This work informed a new structure for the Committee, ensuring it is better integrated into decision-making for 2025 onwards.

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Safe Passage International

Trustees’ Annual Report

For the year ended 31 December 2024

In 2024, staff safety and wellbeing continued to be a fundamental focus of the Operations Team, particularly as the organisation navigated racist riots in the UK in August 2024, which put clients and staff, particularly Black and Brown people and those from immigrant backgrounds, at risk of violence, threats and hostility. Hotels providing accommodation for people seeking asylum were violently attacked, and organisations providing support and advice to refugees and people seeking asylum were also threatened and attacked. In response, the Operations Team delivered a comprehensive risk assessment, implemented emergency planning, organised safe spaces with an external facilitator, liaised with local authorities, and rolled out additional wellbeing interventions and services for all staff and clients.

SPI’s teams in the UK, Greece and France also continued to be impacted by the rising cost-of-living and cost-of-living salary increases were rolled out to staff internationally to support them working in the charity sector during a cost-of-living crisis. Against this challenging backdrop, the staff-led Wellbeing Working Group continued to meet monthly to listen to and advocate for staff wellbeing and devise interventions.

SPI staff from the UK, Greece and France at the SPI away days, September 2024.

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Safe Passage International

Trustees’ Annual Report

For the year ended 31 December 2024

SPI Young Leaders

The Safe Passage Young Leaders are a movement of young refugees and asylum seekers, campaigning for a future where no one is forced to risk their life for safety. The group meets online and face-to-face, to make friends, learn new skills and work together to enact change and challenge injustice. As experts by experience on issues and policies affecting young refugees, the Young Leaders are building power, calling for safe routes to sanctuary, and fighting for the rights of young refugees around the world.

Throughout 2024, 26 Young Leaders galvanised SPI’s work, with a particular focus on shaping decisions taken at all levels of the organisation. This includes 30 instances of informing internal decision-making such as: participating in interview and shortlisting panels, consulting on fundraising bids and policies, and shaping the delivery of SPI campaigns. This included co-creating the Routes to Safety video, which was widely distributed, and was shown to a large live audience at Glastonbury Festival.

To further integrate the Young Leaders programme into internal decision-making, six Young Leaders took up paid positions as Expert by Experience Consultants, advising SPI teams across all locations and at all levels, and in March 2024, a Young Leader Graduate joined the Board of Trustees. Seven Young Leaders also successfully graduated from the programme in 2024. Many of those graduates went on to lead workshops and skill-building activities at the Young Leader’s residential in August 2024, highlighting a positive development track from Young Leader to Graduate, and how central this programme is to the culture of SPI as an organisation. The statement below, written and read by a Young Leader at a graduation event, demonstrates the impact of this crucial programme.

Young Leaders take the stage at Glastonbury Festival, 2024.

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Safe Passage International

Trustees’ Annual Report

For the year ended 31 December 2024

My name is Fernando, and I’m one of Safe Passage’s Young Leader graduates. When I first joined the Young Leaders programme, I didn’t know what to expect. I thought maybe I’d attend a few meetings, share some ideas, and that would be it. But very quickly, I realized this wasn’t just a symbolic role. This was a space where my story, my voice, and my ideas actually mattered.

As a Young Leader, I’ve been part of powerful campaigns that challenge the hostile environment and push for safe routes for people seeking asylum.

Because behind every statistic, there is a story. A child forced to flee war. A family split across borders. A young person who dreams of going to university, but instead is stuck in limbo waiting for a decision on their asylum claim. And too often, these stories go unheard or are misrepresented.

That’s why the work we do as Young Leaders matters. We don’t just bring experiences—we bring solutions. We bring lived expertise that can’t be Googled or written in a policy brief. We know what needs to change because we’ve lived through the system ourselves.

I came to the UK as an asylum seeker three years ago. I have had to restart my life in a new and completely unfamiliar world. I have had sleepless nights with the feeling of missing all my friends and family, but, without even looking for it, I found Safe Passage – that beacon of hope that made me realise that not everything in this world is lost. I have met extraordinary people, full of dreams and passion, who have taught me how to be a better person. My experience as a Young Leader has been a trek to the peak of my abilities. I have developed real skills that are and will be helpful to me in any branch of life. And because of that, I am extremely grateful to life for having been fortunate enough to be part of this whole movement that, I hope,

will inspire many, many more young people in the same situation as us.

When I first joined, I was nervous. I wasn’t sure if my voice would matter. I wasn’t sure if anyone would listen. But from day one, I realised that this wasn’t just a programme—it was a community. A space where lived experience was seen as expertise. A space where we weren’t just invited to the table—we were asked what shape the table should be.

But more than anything, I’ve grown. I’ve learned to speak up with confidence, to lead with empathy, and to believe that my ideas can create real change. Being a Young Leader isn’t just about advocacy—it’s about transformation. It’s about carrying pain and turning it into purpose.

I’ve seen other young people in this programme go from shy and silent to powerful and fearless. And I’ve learned that when young people with lived experience are at the heart of a movement, the message becomes stronger, clearer, and impossible to ignore.

As I graduate today, I carry with me everything I’ve learned—and everyone I’ve worked alongside. This programme has shown me that I am not alone. That we are many. And that together, we are unstoppable. To the next group of Young Leaders: keep speaking up. Keep showing up. Your voice is powerful, and the world needs to hear it. And to everyone here today: keep listening, keep supporting, and keep believing in the leadership of young people.

Thank you—for giving me space to grow, to lead, and to dream of a world where migration is met not with borders, but with belonging.

Fernando, Safe Passage Young Leader Graduate, June 2025

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Safe Passage International

Trustees’ Annual Report

For the year ended 31 December 2024

Future Plans

SPI’s current strategy runs until the end of 2025. As such, the organisation began a strategy design process in 2025, with a focus on harnessing learnings from the current period and looking towards a co-production model to ensure the next strategy is co-designed with staff, trustees, Young Leaders with lived experience and SPI’s EBE Consultants. Until the new strategy is in place, SPI’s activities will continue under the aims outlined in Goals 1, 2, 3 and 4, striving to support as many people as possible to reach safe routes to sanctuary in Europe, challenge the hostile narrative and policies surrounding this work, and build a values-led organisation that works with and not for people with direct experience of the charity’s work.

In April 2024, SPI Greece, together with legal and safeguarding staff from SPI UK and SPI France, conducted a field visit to Cyprus, which recently became a major entry point to Europe. With extremely limited legal resources on the island dedicated to working on family reunification specifically, SPI Greece identified an opportunity to share its expertise and learnings as a ‘receiving’ state within a similar context with partners on the ground in Cyprus. As such, SPI Greece planned a response project that was approved at the end of 2024, and is due to launch formally in the autumn of 2025, following thorough project planning.

The objective of the project is to improve access to safe and lawful family reunification in Europe for people arriving into Cyprus, by forming a partnership with a local legal actor. SPI Greece will provide training and capacity building to ensure partners can deliver family casework and thereby enhance legal and social support on family reunification in Cyprus, and improve cross-border legal collaboration on family reunification from Cyprus with other EU states. The project will harness learnings from this work to design and deliver a full exit strategy for post-project continuation of family reunification work in Cyprus.

Regarding other projects, the Sudan Project plans to expand its casework, capacity building and advocacy work following a successful project set-up phase. This casework is long and complex, so the first successful arrival is anticipated in 2026. REUNIR will complete four years of successful operation in 2025, so an evaluation will be conducted before a decision is taken on the future of the project. Additionally, the APBI project in partnership with RLS will wind down in the second half of 2025, with SPI harnessing learnings to continue a strategic focus on Afghanistan cases within its core casework.

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Safe Passage International

Trustees’ Annual Report

For the year ended 31 December 2024

Fundraising in 2024

SPI continued to maintain a diverse income portfolio, with funds raised from individual donors, trust and foundations, corporate sponsorship, partnerships, community and challenge events as well as some legacy gifts. 2024 saw the charity continue to attract and engage public support, with a total of £467,186 secured in donations, ensuring that a substantial amount of the charity’s income for the year was unrestricted. This included two match fund campaigns which both secured over £80,000 each. The fundraising team continued to respond to the unfolding crises in Sudan and Gaza, securing funds for our crisis response projects including from Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Open Society Foundations. The charity also continued to receive funding from a range of trusts, foundations, and legal firms. 2024 also saw a partnership with Ben and Jerry’s, which comprised a donation of £10,000 and various brand awareness campaigns.

Our Standards

SPI is registered with the UK Fundraising Regulator. The charity actively manages its fundraising activities to ensure full compliance with the relevant codes of practice and statutory regulations. SPI generates funds from a wide range of mainly UK sources. This includes individual one-off donations, regular gifts, corporate donations, legacies, and trust and foundation grants, as well as Gift Aid. SPI communicates regularly with supporters through newsletters and appeals via email and social media. The charity provides a comprehensive picture of its activities on the SPI website at www.safepassage.org.uk as well as via social media channels: Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Blue Sky. Each year, SPI publishes an annual impact report to show the difference supporters have helped to make.

SPI is committed to upholding the highest standards of fundraising and data protection, particularly in relation to supporter data. The charity has secure systems including a dedicated database to prevent inappropriate access and protect individual privacy. SPI communicates with supporters on a regular basis, including sending fundraising and non-fundraising messages, if they have given consent for us to contact them. The charity keeps a record of those people that have consented to be contacted on its central database. All supporters are informed of SPI’s privacy policy, which complies with GDPR. The policy is available on the website and in all e- communications. SPI received no complaints about fundraising practices during the year. If a complaint were to be received with regards to fundraising carried out by SPI, it would be recorded and investigated as appropriate. Any serious complaint would be escalated to the Leadership Team and trustees.

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Safe Passage International

Trustees’ Annual Report

For the year ended 31 December 2024

Third Parties

SPI does not use professional fundraisers or commercial participators to fundraise on behalf of SPI. Supporters can undertake fundraising on a voluntary basis. In cases where staff identify it would be helpful to the public and the volunteer supporter, fundraisers are asked to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to ensure that they fundraise within set standards and regulations. In other cases, SPI requests fundraisers to display “in support of” SPI to let the public know that they are volunteer supporters fundraising to support our work, and our fundraising team supports them to fundraise safely and appropriately.

The whole SPI community would like to thank every one of its supporters who contributed to keeping the organisation going in 2024. SPI is incredibly grateful to all its supporters, Friends and partners, without whom the charity could not continue its work.

SPI would like to give an especially big thank you to all the Trusts and Foundations that supported our work during the year, including those who donated privately and those below:

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Safe Passage International

Trustees’ Annual Report

For the year ended 31 December 2024

Financial Review

Income and Expenditure

During the year under review the charity has continued to operate effectively. The charity has been able to consolidate its financial stability amidst a significant increase of its activities and expenditures despite the cost-of-living crisis, and the implementation of new crisis response projects responding to global conflicts. Financial stability was ensured through careful financial management, the strengthening new finance and internal control processes, good fundraising performance, and a mid-year reforecast and cashflow projection together with monthly management accounts reviews, which have enabled the organisation to come through 2024 successfully. We also received a large, unexpected legacy at the end of 2023 for which funds were brought forwards to 2024.

Total income for the year to 31 December 2024 amounted to £2,447,730 compared to £2,420,180 in 2023, a £27,550 increase. This reflects the efforts of the staff team, and the strong and loyal support of our donors and volunteers in an increasingly challenging financial environment.

Total expenditure for the year to 31 December 2024 amounted to £2,513,276 compared to £1,925,353 recorded for the year to 31 December 2023 and includes the spending down of a legacy received at the end of 2023. This represented an overall increase of £587,923 .

The net result was a deficit of £65,546, compared to a surplus of £494,827. This resulted in a closing funds of £1,602,570. Unrestricted funds accounted for £1,132,086 (70.6% of total reserves), which is above the reserves policy. Unrestricted funds amount to £52,747, down from £141,621 in the previous year. Finally, designated funds accounted for £417,738, down from £428,557 as a result of spending against the Future Activities Fund.

The charity remains in a strong position, with the majority of excess reserves held as cash at bank, with a total of £2,783,071 held as at 31 December 2024. There were significant amounts of deferred income, which does somewhat offset this, with funds to release over multiple years. Against an increasingly competitive landscape holding muti-year funds enables the charity to better budget future spend to commit to deliver of projects.

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Safe Passage International

Trustees’ Annual Report

For the year ended 31 December 2024

Reserves Policy

General reserves comprise the total reserves available to the charity, less those reserves for which use is restricted or designated by the trustees for specific purposes. Each year the trustees will review the policy for maintaining general reserves, taking into consideration the major risks faced by the charity, their likely impact on income and planned expenditure, and an assessment of the ways to mitigate such risks.

The trustees have agreed a policy that ensures the safeguarding of charitable commitments and the funding of operational expenditure. This policy also ensures adequate working capital and financial resilience for the charity. For us to meet the objectives of this policy, the trustees agree that the charity should aim for a free reserves amount calculated with a combination of three main elements, (1) six weeks of the UK average budget, (2) the sum of the possible financial consequences of the uncertainty and reputational risk of the different income categories/streams, and (3) the sum of the possible financial impact of each Risk Register’s risks weighted by the probability of their occurrence. Based on these elements, the level of the reserves required for the whole organisation is £872,000, with the option for agreed temporary reductions or redeployments of surpluses if agreed by the Board. General reserves in the balance sheet at the year-ended 31 December 2024 stand at 1,132,086 (31 December 2023 they stood at £1,097,938) not including restricted funds, designated funds and fixed assets.

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Safe Passage International

Trustees’ Annual Report

For the year ended 31 December 2024

Risk Management

SPI operates a Risk Management policy championing best practice in risk management and mitigation. In 2024, the trustees periodically assessed the major risks to which SPI is exposed and were satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate the charity’s exposure.

Risks are identified under 5 headings: Strategic, Financial, Regulatory (compliance), Management and Operational and are monitored using an organisational Risk Register that is reviewed quarterly by the Leadership Team.

The Risk Register is reviewed Quarterly by the Finance and Risk Sub-Committee of the Board, with any new risks or risks of growing significance discussed by the Committee and, where necessary, raised at the next full Board meeting. In addition, the HR and Safeguarding Sub-Committee reviews risks relating to staff, volunteers and safeguarding quarterly.

Safeguarding continues to be the other key risk for the charity, given the vulnerable circumstances the people we work with face. Due to the nature of SPI’s work with children, young people and families in extremely precarious situations globally, this is a fundamental area of our work.

The International Safeguarding and Protection Manager (ISPM) continues to lead the organisation’s pro-active approach, responding to and mitigating safeguarding concerns and incidents. The ISPM also works closely with legal practitioners on individual cases to provide social work evidence documenting the significant harm children experienced, thereby strengthening the case for family reunification. The team continued to learn from this work and reviewed SPI’s Safeguarding Policy. The charity also benefits from having an experienced Safeguarding Lead, Atiqullah Sayed, on the Board of Trustees who brings additional expertise and oversight.

In 2024, a total of 171 safeguarding reports were submitted, of which 60% were safeguarding ‘concerns’ and 40% ‘incidents’. The majority of safeguarding concerns reported in 2024 remained relatively stable. There are two exceptions: concerns for children/ young people detained increased 5-fold (from two to 10 reports) and a four-fold increase in basic needs of individuals/ families not being met. The former is likely a reflection of ever-increasing hostility towards migrants and the difficulties of regularisation of status. The latter is due to ongoing issues with cost-of-living in all the countries we work in. During the year, no formal safeguarding incidents were reported to the Charity Commission.

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Safe Passage International

Trustees’ Annual Report

For the year ended 31 December 2024

In 2024, SPI also significantly expanded its safeguarding and protection expertise by implementing a thorough arrivals programmes in the UK and France. Building on the strong protection approach of SPI Greece’s work, where a dedicated Social Support Worker has provided crucial expert social support work ‘pre-arrival’ to SPI Greece’s clients for several years, SPI France and SPI UK mirrored this approach, both recruiting dedicated Social Support Workers.

SPI’s Structure

The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 8th January 2018, and registered as a charity on 20th August 2018. The company was established under a memorandum of association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its articles of association.

Safe Passage International France was registered as a charitable association in France on 8th December 2018, association number RNA W751250000, SIREN 844544890, Address: 2bis Rue Dupont de l'Eure, 75020 Paris. The Director of SPI France reports to the France Board as well as to the SPI CEO. The France Board was composed in 2024 of Tim Stevens (Chair), Patricia Whaley (Treasurer), and Caroline Tu Phuong Doan. All three are also trustees of SPI.

SPI was registered in Greece as an A.M.K.E. (not-for-profit organisation) ‘Safe Passage International AMKE’ on 2nd August 2019, registration number 1810155, company number 151609201000. The Director of SPI AMKE reports to the Greek Board as well as to the SPI CEO. The Greek Board is composed of Ioannis Papageorgiou (Chair), Patricia Whaley (Treasurer) and Jason Rabinowitz, all three are also trustees of SPI.

Appointment of trustees

Safe Passage International is governed by a Board of Trustees (also Company Directors) who meet quarterly to set policy, agree strategy, and ensure that the charity’s charitable purposes are met. The Board is formally supported by three Sub-Committees: Finance and Risk Committee, HR and Safeguarding Committee and Legal and Advocacy Committee, which meet quarterly in advance of the full trustee meeting, set out in the agreed scheme of delegation.

For appointment of new trustees, a skills audit and open recruitment process takes place, which targets broad advertising to help attract the candidates who will contribute to the Board where any gaps are identified. Potential trustees are shortlisted and interviewed by a panel of trustees and the Chief Executive.

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Safe Passage International

Trustees’ Annual Report

For the year ended 31 December 2024

All trustees are required to undertake Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks or equivalent criminal background checks in their country of residence, and misconduct statements as per the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. Trustees are provided with an induction programme on appointment.

Remuneration Policy

The key management personnel of Safe Passage International are the Board of Trustees and the Leadership Team. All trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity. Any expenses reclaimed from the charity are set out in note 5 to the accounts.

The Leadership Team are responsible for the day-to-day operations and running of the charity. SPI aims to pay competitively for all SPI roles, with a usual reference point ranging 10% around the median percentile for the sector, based on reliable market comparisons of similar sized organisations.

Salaries are reviewed annually. In deciding whether to increase pay for all roles, SPI considers first whether the charity can afford to offer pay increases. If deemed affordable by the SPI Board, cost of living increases will be prioritised, with a presumption to increase by CPI annually. Any additional increases will be contingent on budget, with the charity prioritising adjustments to ensure salaries remain competitive.

Gender Pay Gap

For the 4th year in succession, SPI has voluntarily undertaken a gender pay gap review, using UK government guidance on methods of calculation. Overall, the gender pay gap within the UK charity for 2024 was 1.44% (2023 figure was -6.8%). The gap has mainly reduced due to the end of work carried out by external consultants who were on higher daily rates and were all women in previous years. The figures indicate that the organisation has kept a good record when it comes to addressing gender-based pay equality in the workplace. However, we are also mindful that this will require constant attention as a charity, and that the gender pay gap does not account for the intersectional nature of inequality.

Ethnicity Pay Gap

Our commitment to diversity, representation and inclusion is highlighted in the voluntary publication of our ethnicity pay gap. We use the same methodology as for the gender pay gap but remain aware that different methodology might be better suited to capture the true nature and

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Safe Passage International

Trustees’ Annual Report

For the year ended 31 December 2024

roots of any highlighted pay gap. Overall, the ethnicity pay gap within the UK charity for 2024 has been significantly reduced and stood at 0.13% (2023 figure was 8%). Paired with positive action in recruitment and fair salary structure we are confident that going forward we will eradicate any gap in pay. As with the gender pay gap, this requires constant attention and improvement, and does not account for the intersectional nature of inequality.

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Safe Passage International

Trustees’ Annual Report

For the year ended 31 December 2024

References and Administrative Details

Company number 11136659 Country of incorporation United Kingdom Registered office and operational Charity number 1179608 address : PO Box 79446, LONDON E2 2HS Country of registration England & Wales

Trustees Trustees, who are also directors under company law, who served during the year and up to the date of this report were as follows:

Ioannis Papageorgiou

(Co-Chair of SPI Board from 10.04.2025; President of SPI Greece A.M.K.E.) Jason Rabinowitz

Timothy Stevens

(Co-Chair of SPI Board from 10.04.2025; President of SPI France Charitable Association)

Atiqullah Sayed (Safeguarding Lead) Patricia Whaley (Treasurer, Co-Chair of SPI Board from 10.04.2025) Ayesha Aziz (appointed 11.03.2024) Caroline Tu Phuong Doan Jack Steadman Lusine Manukyan Thomas Wyer (appointed 17.03.2025) Zoe Bantleman (appointed 17.03.2025) Clare Tudor (resigned 13.04.2024) Francesca Klug (resigned 11.03.2024) Leyla Kayacik (appointed on 31.01.2025, resigned on 20.03.2025) Magid Magid (Chair) (resigned 10.04.2025)

Company Secretary

Jasmin Bukic

Key management personnel

Bethany Gardiner-Smith CEO (resigned March 2024) Wanda Wyporska CEO (appointed March 2024) (left April 2025) Jasmin Bukic Operations and People Gunes Kalkan Campaigns and Communications Marie Charlotte Fabie Director of Safe Passage France Pascal Arthaud Finance and Programmes (resigned September 2024) Sandy Protogerou Director of Safe Passage Greece Sarah Miguel Fundraising (resigned September 2024) Daniel Rourke UK Legal (resigned June 2025)

Note: following the resignation of Magid Magid as chair, three of the trustees are sharing the chair role pending the recruitment of a new chair.

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Safe Passage International

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 December 202 4

Auditor Sayer Vincent LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor
110 Golden Lane, London, EC1Y 0TG
Bankers Barclays Bank UK PLC
9 Portman Square
London, SW1A 3AL
Solicitors Russell Cooke
2 Putney Hill
London, SW15 6AB

Statement of responsibilities of the trustees

The trustees (who are also directors of Safe Passage International for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees’ annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law 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 charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

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Safe Passage International

Trustees’ annual report

For the year ended 31 December 202 4

In so far as the trustees are aware:

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Members of the charity guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 to the assets of the charity in the event of winding up. The total number of such guarantees at 31 December 2024 was 12 (2023: 14). The trustees are members of the charity, but this entitles them only to voting rights. The trustees have no beneficial interest in the charity.

Auditor

Sayer Vincent LLP was the charitable company's auditor in previous years and has expressed its willingness to continue in that capacity.

The trustees’ annual report has been approved by the trustees on 15.09.2025 and signed on their behalf by

Patricia Whaley Treasurer

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Independent Auditor’s Report

To the members of

Safe Passage International

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Safe Passage International (the ‘parent charitable company’) and its subsidiary/subsidiaries (the ‘group’) for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the consolidated statement of financial activities, the group and parent charitable company balance sheets, the consolidated statement of cash flows and the notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

● Give a true and fair view of the state of the group’s and of the parent charitable company’s affairs as at 31 December 2024 and of the group’s incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the group financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the group and parent charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on Safe Passage International's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

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Independent Auditor’s Report

To the members of

Safe Passage International

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other Information

The other information comprises the information included in the trustees’ annual report other than the group financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the group financial statements does not cover the other information, and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the group financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the group financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

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

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

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

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 and Charities Act 2011 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

● Adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent charitable company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

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Independent Auditor’s Report

To the members of

Safe Passage International

companies regime and take advantage of the small companies’ exemptions in

preparing the trustees’ annual report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the statement of trustees’ responsibilities set out in the trustees’ annual report, the trustees (who are also the directors of the parent charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the group’s and the parent charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the group or the parent charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed auditor under the Companies Act 2006 and section 151 of the Charites Act 2011 and report in accordance with those Acts.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

40

Independent Auditor’s Report

To the members of

Safe Passage International

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material

misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud are set out below.

Capability of the audit in detecting irregularities

In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, our procedures included the following:

operates in, focusing on those laws and regulations that had a material effect on the financial statements or that had a fundamental effect on the operations of the group from

our professional and sector experience.

documentation to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all

41

Independent Auditor’s Report

To the members of

Safe Passage International

irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

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

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company's members as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and regulations made under section 154 of that Act. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Noelia Serrano (Senior statutory auditor)

24 September 2025

for and on behalf of Sayer Vincent LLP, Statutory Auditor 110 Golden Lane, LONDON, EC1Y 0TG

Sayer Vincent LLP is eligible to act as auditor in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006

42

Safe Passage International

Consolidated statement of financial activities (incorporating an income and expenditure account) For the year ended 31 December 2024

Note
Income from:
Donations, legacies and bank interest
2
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
3
Charitable activities: Legal and Casework
3
Charitable activities: Advocacy & Campaigns
3
Total expenditure
Net (expenditure)/income for the year
4
Transfer of Funds
Net (expenditure)/income before other recognised gains and losses
Net movement in funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total 2024
£
£
£
1,395,431
1,052,299
2,447,730
1,395,431
1,052,299
2,447,730
66,136
44,091
110,227
1,062,185
708,123
1,770,308
242,855
389,885
632,741
1,371,176
1,142,099
2,513,276
24,254
(89,800)
(65,546)
(926)
926
-
23,328
(88,874)
(65,546)
1,526,495
141,621
1,668,116
1,549,823
52,747
1,602,570		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total 2023
£
£
£
1,527,377
892,803
2,420,180
1,527,377
892,803
2,420,180
167,415
-
167,415
775,814
466,385
1,242,199
179,451
336,288
515,739
1,122,680
802,673
1,925,353
404,697
90,130
494,827
-
-
-
404,697
90,130
494,827
1,121,798
51,489
1,173,287
1,526,495
141,621
1,668,116

All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those stated above. Movements in funds are disclosed in Note 18 to the financial statements.

43

Safe Passage International Balance Sheets As at 31 December 2024

Company no. 11136659

Note
Fixed Assets:
Tangible assets
9
Current assets:
Debtors
12
Cash at bank and in hand
Liabilities:
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one
year
13
Net Current assts
Total assets less current liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due after one year
14
Total net assets
Funds:
18
Restricted income funds
Designated fund
Unrestricted general funds		 The group
2024
2023
£
£
24,652
12,374
24,652
12,374
244,033
773,945
2,783,071
2,973,458
3,027,104
3,747,403
(730,060)
(992,000)
2,297,044
2,755,403
2,321,696
2,767,777
(719,126)
(1,099,661)
1,602,570
1,668,116
52,747
141,621
417,738
428,557
1,132,086
1,097,938
1,602,570
1,668,116		 SPI UK
2024
2023
£
£
22,576
9,652
22,576
9,652
150,113
817,999
2,693,246
2,753,623
2,843,359
3,571,622
(634,807)
(881,740)
2,208,552
2,689,882
2,231,128
2,699,534
(719,126)
(1,099,661)
1,512,003
1,599,873
52,747
141,621
417,738
428,557
1,041,518
1,029,694
1,512,003
1,599,873

Approved by the trustees on 15 September 2025 and signed on their behalf by

Patricia Whaley Treasurer

44

Safe Passage International Consolidated statement of cashflows For the year ended As at 31 December 2024

Cash flows from operating activities
Net (expenditure) / income for the reporting period
(as per the statement of financial activities)
Depreciation charges
Decrease / (increase) in debtors
(Decrease) / Increase in creditors
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of fixed assets
Net cash (used in) investing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
Cash at bank and in hand
Total cash and cash equivalents		 2024
£
£
(65,546)
2,562
529,912
(642,072)
(175,144)
(15,240)
(15,240)
(190,385)
2,973,456
2,783,071
At 1
January
2024
Cashflows
£
£
2,973,456
(190,385)		 2023
£
£
494,827
1,880
(524,333)
1,720,964
1,693,338
(2,982)
(2,982)
1,690,356
1,283,100
2,973,456

Other
non-cash
changes
At 31
December
2024

£
£

-
2,783,071
(15,240)
2,973,456
(190,385)		 -
2,783,071

45

Safe Passage International Notes to the financial statements For the year ended As at 31 December 2024

1 Accounting Policies

1. Basis of Preparation:

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006, the Charities Act 2011, and "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)".

These financial statements consolidate the results of SPI UK and its two controlled entities Safe Passage International (France) and Safe Passage International (Greece) on a line-by-line basis. Transactions and balances between SPI UK and its subsidiary have been eliminated from the consolidated financial statements. Balances between the two entities are disclosed in the notes of SPI UK's balance sheet.

Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy or note.

In applying the financial reporting framework, the trustees have made several subjective judgements, for example in respect of significant accounting estimates. Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The nature of the estimation means the actual outcomes could differ from those estimates. Any significant estimates and judgements affecting these financial statements are detailed within the relevant accounting policy below.

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. Key judgements that the charity has made which have a significant effect on the accounts include estimating the liability from multi-year grant commitments. The trustees do not consider that there are any sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period.

2. Income:

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

Income received in advance of the provision of a specified service is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met.

Income from government and other grants, whether ‘capital’ grants or ‘revenue’ grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

For legacies, entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: the charity is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor(s) to the charity that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably and the charity has been notified of the executor’s intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the charity, or the charity is aware of the granting of probate, and the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material.

46

Safe Passage International Notes to the financial statements For the year ended As at 31 December 2024

3. Expenditure and Irrecoverable VAT:

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

Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:

Costs of raising funds relate to the costs incurred by the charity in inducing third parties to make voluntary contributions to it, as well as the cost of any activities with a fundraising purpose.

Expenditure on charitable activities includes the costs of delivering services, and other activities undertaken to further the purposes of the charity and their associated support costs.

Other expenditure represents those items not falling into any other heading.

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

4. Allocation of Support Costs:

Resources expended are allocated to the particular activity where the cost relates directly to that activity. However, the cost of overall direction and administration of each activity, comprising the salary and overhead costs of the central function, is apportioned on the following basis which is an estimate, based on staff time, of the amount attributable to each activity.

Support and governance costs are re-allocated to each of the activities on the following basis which is an estimate, based on staff time, of the amount attributable to each activity:

Raising funds: 10%

Legal and Casework: 60%

Advocacy & Campaigns: 30%

Governance costs are the costs associated with the governance arrangements of the charity. These costs are associated with constitutional and statutory requirements and include any costs associated with the strategic management of the charity’s activities.

5. Operating Leases:

Rental charges are charged on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

6. Interest Receivable:

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.

7. Fund Accounting:

Restricted funds are to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets these criteria is charged to the respective fund.

Unrestricted funds are donations and other incoming resources received or generated for the charitable purposes.

47

Safe Passage International Notes to the financial statements For the year ended As at 31 December 2024

Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular purposes.

8. Tangible Fixed Assets:

Items of equipment are capitalised where the purchase price exceeds £1,000. Depreciation costs are allocated to activities on the basis of the use of the related assets in those activities. Assets are reviewed for impairment if circumstances indicate their carrying value may exceed their net realisable value and value in use. Major components are treated as a separate asset where they have significantly different patterns of consumption of economic benefits and are depreciated separately over its useful life.

Where fixed assets have been revalued, any excess between the revalued amount and the historic cost of the asset will be shown as a revaluation reserve in the balance sheet. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write down the cost of each asset to its estimated residual value over its expected useful life. The depreciation rates in use are as follows:

Computer Equipment: 3 years estimated Useful Economic Life

Fixtures & Fittings: 10 years estimated Useful Economic Life

9. Cash at Bank and in Hand:

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

10. Creditors and Provisions:

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

11. Pensions:

The charity participates in a defined contribution scheme charged to the statement of financial activities as they become payable in accordance with FRS102

2 Income From Donations , Legacies and Bank Interest

Gifts
Bank
Interest		 2024
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
£
£
£
1,310,457
1,052,299
2,362,756
84,974
-
84,974
1,395,431
1,052,299
2,447,730		 2023
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
£
£
£
1,507,191
892,803
2,399,994
20,186
-
20,186
1,527,377
892,803
2,420,180

48

Safe Passage International Notes to the financial statements For the year ended As at 31 December 2024

3a Analysis of expenditure (current year)

Staff costs
France Operations
Greece Operations
UK Legal & Arrivals
Governance costs
Other UK expenditure
Support costs
Governance costs
Total expenditure 2024
Total expenditure 2023		 Raising
funds
£
27,150
-
-
-
-
42,379
69,529
39,185
1,513
110,227
167,415		 Legal
and
Casework
£
981,882
342,220
202,018
-
-
-
1,526,120
235,113
9,075
1,770,308
1,242,199		 Advocacy
&
Campaigns
£
462,127
-
48,520
-
-
-
510,647
117,556
4,538
632,741
515,739		 Governance
costs
£
-
-
-
-
15,125
-
15,125
-
(15,125)
-
-		 Support
costs
£
145,555
-
-
-
-
246,299
391,854
(391,854)
-
-
-		 2024 Total
£
1,616,714
342,220
250,538
-
15,125
288,678
2,513,276
-
-
2,513,276		 2023 Total
£
1,335,110
52,019
39,517
64,117
17,305
417,285
1,925,353
-
-
1,925,353

49

Safe Passage International

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended As at 31 December 2024

3b Analysis of expenditure (prior year)

Staff costs
France Operations
Greece Operations
UK Legal & Arrivals
Governance costs
Other UK expenditure
Support costs
Governance costs
Total expenditure 2023
Total expenditure 2022		 Raising funds
£
86,918
-
-
-
-
15,296
102,214
59,126
6,076
167,416
195,873		 Legal and
Casework
£
713,541
33,812
39,517
64,117
-
-
850,987
354,753
36,458
1,242,198
1,068,730		 Advocacy &
Campaigns
£
294,107
10,404
-
-
-
15,622
320,133
177,377
18,229
515,739
589,577		 Governance
costs
£
43,459
-
-
-
17,305
-
60,764
-
(60,764)
-
-		 Support
costs
£
197,086
7,803
-
-
-
386,367
591,256
(591,256)
-
-
-		 2023 Total
£
1,335,110
52,019
39,517
64,117
17,305
417,285
1,925,353
-
-
1,925,353		 2022 Total
£
1,369,226
51,868
24,747
89,371
14,822
304,174
1,854,208
1,854,181

50

Safe Passage International Notes to the financial statements For the year ended As at 31 December 2024

4
Net Income for the year
This is stated after charging / (crediting)
Depreciation
Operating Lease Rentals
Property
Auditor's Remuneration (Excluding VAT):
Audit
Other services
Foreign Exchange losses		 2024
£
2,442
113,416
13,200
-
(62)		 2023
£
1,880
67,689
11,250
3,000
3,300

Analysis of staff costs , trustee remuneration and expenses, and the cost of key management 5 Personnel

Staff costs were as follows:

Salaries and Wages
Social Security
Employer's contribution to defined contribution pension schemes
Key management staff emoluments:
£60,001 - £70,000		 2024
£
1,370,373
186,182
60,159
1,616,714
2024
£
1		 2023
£
1,115,655
176,049
43,406
1,335,110
2023
£
Nil

The Total Employee benefits (Including pension contributions and employer's national insurance) of the key management personnel was £496,288( 2023 : £511,688)

The Charity Trustees were neither paid nor received any other benefits from employment with the charity in the year (2023 : Nil ). No Charity trustee received Payment for professional or other services supplied to the charity (2023 : Nil).

Trustees' expenses represents the payment or reimbursements of travel and subsistence costs in 2024 of £1,656 (2023: £1,324) relating to 4 trustee (2023 : 6).

6 Staff Numbers

The average number of employees (head count based on number of staff employed) during the year was 34 , FTE 27.8 (2023: headcount 31, FTE 28).

51

Safe Passage International Notes to the financial statements For the year ended As at 31 December 2024

7 Related Party Transactions

Transactions between the charity and its two subsidiaries in Greece and France are disclosed in Note 10. There are no other related party transactions to disclose for 2024 (2023 : None).

Donations from trustees in 2024 totalled £Nil (2023: £2,210). There were no other donations from related parties

outside the normal course of business and there were no restricted donations from related parties.

8 Taxation

The Charity is exempt from corporation tax as well as all its income is charitable and applied for charitable purposes.

9 Tangible fixed assets

The Group

Cost
At the start of the year
Additions in the year
At the end of the year
Depreciation
At the start of the year
Charge for the year
At the end of the year
Net book Value
At the end of the eyar
At the start of the year		 SPI Greece
SPI France
SPI UK
SPI UK
Computer
Computer
Computer
Fixtures &
Equipment
Equipment
Equipment
Fittings
Total
£
£
£
£
£
3,595 4,886 1,286
15,139
24,906
402
-
14,438
-
14,840
3,997
4,886
15,724
15,139
39,746
3,595 2,163 1,286 5,487
12,531
33 1,015
- 1,514 2,562
3,628
3,178
1,286
7,001
15,093
369
1,708
14,438
8,138
24,653
-2,723
-9,652
12,375

All above assets are used for charitable purposes.

52

Safe Passage International Notes to the financial statements For the year ended As at 31 December 2024

9 Tangible fixed assets (continued)

The Charity

Cost
At the start of the year
Additions in the year
At the end of the year
Depreciation
At the start of the year
Charge for the year
At the end of the year
Net book Value
At the end of the eyar
At the start of the year
All above assets are used for charitable purposes.		 SPI UK
SPI UK
Computer
Fixtures &
Equipment
Fittings
Total
£
£
£
1,286
15,139
16,425
14,438
-
14,438
-
-
-
15,724
15,139
30,863
1,286 5,487 6,773
-
1,514 1,514
-
-
-
1,286
7,001
8,287
14,438
8,138
22,576
-
9,652 9,652

53

Safe Passage International Notes to the financial statements For the year ended As at 31 December 2024

10a Subsidiary Undertaking (France)

The Charity controls and fully funds a social enterprise Safe Passage International registered in France. The company number is 844 544 890 00016, NAF: 8899A.

The registered office address is 2bis Rue Dunpont de l'Eure, 75020 Paris.

All activities have been consolidated on a line by line basis in the statement of financial activities

The trustees Tim Stevens, and Patricia Whaley Together with the Head of France, Marie Charlotte Fabie are founding members of the organisation registered on 08 December 2018 Commencing Activity on 1 January 2019.

A Summary of the results of the associated entity is shown below:

Donations (Restricted)
Donations and bank interest (Unrestricted)
Contribution from parent Undertaking
Income
Expenses
Surplus
Charitable Funds
Total Charitable funds brought forward
Surplus
Total Charitable Funds Carried Forward
The aggregate of the assets, liabilities and reserves was:
Assets
Liabilities
Reserves		 2024
2023
£
£
96,964
66,957
-
6,225
317,316
324,348
414,280
397,530
(408,189)
(385,566)
6,091
11,964
53,098
41,135
6,091
11,963
59,189
53,098
109,023
184,729
(49,834)
(131,631)
59,189
53,098

There were no amounts owed to the parent undertaking at the end of the year (2023: £Nil). An advance payment of £34,101 (2023: £32,065) was made in December 2024 by SPI UK to cover January 2025 expenses. There were £303 Amounts owed from the parent undertaking at the end of the year (2023: £4,920).

Safe Passage International (France) undertakes charitable activities in line with the objects of Safe Passage International (UK Entity), therefore no management charges were levied in 2024.

54

Safe Passage International Notes to the financial statements For the year ended As at 31 December 2024

10b Subsidiary Undertaking (Greece)

The Charity controls and fully funds, a civil non-profit entity Safe Passage AMKE registered in Greece. The company VAT number is EL 996858091, tax office A' Athens. The registered office address is 28th Karaiskaki Str. Athens, Postal Code 10554, Greece.

All activities have been consolidated on a line by line basis in the statement of financial activities

The trustees Ioannis Papageorgiou (acting as representative of Safe Passage UK), Jason Rabinowitz, and Patricia Whaley are members of the organisation which was registered on 02 August 2019 commencing activity on 16 June 2020.

A Summary of the results of the associated entity is shown below:

Contribution from parent Undertaking
Income
Expenses
(Loss)
Charitable Funds
Total Charitable funds brought forward
(Loss)
Total Charitable Funds Carried Forward
The aggregate of the assets, liabilities and reserves was:
Assets
Liabilities
Reserves		 2024
2023
£
£
235,623
155,652
235,623
155,652
(250,538)
(171,905)
(14,915)
(16,253)
35,246
51,499
(14,915)
(16,253)
20,331
35,246
45,647
50,860
(19,893)
(15,614)
25,755
35,246

There were no amounts owed to the parent undertaking at the end of the year

An advance payment of £31,150 (2023: £20,100) was made in December 2024 by SPI UK to cover January 2025 expenses.

Safe Passage International (Greece) undertakes charitable activities in line with the objects of Safe Passage International (UK Entity), therefore no management charges were levied in 2024.

55

Safe Passage International Notes to the financial statements For the year ended As at 31 December 2024

11 Parent Charity (SPI UK)

The parent charity's gross income and the results for the year end are disclosed as follows:

Gross Income
(Deficit) / surplus for the year		 2024
2023
£
£
2,350,76
7
2,346,999
(56,720)
499,117

12 Debtors

Trade Debtors
Other Debtors
Prepayments
Prepayments for January From SPI UK to SPI
Greece/France
Accrued Income		 The Group
SPI UK
2024
2023
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
61,485
6,322
61,485
2,443
23,273
84,473
47,263
83,496
67,343
13,848
18,064
10,593
-
-
65,751
52,165
91,932
669,302
23,301
669,302
244,033
773,945
215,864
817,999

13 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Bank and overdrafts
Trade Creditors
Taxation and Social Security
Pension Fund
Other Creditors
Amounts due to group undertakings
Accruals
Deferred Income (Note16)		 The Group
SPI UK
2024
2023
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
363
-
363
-
68,842
31,288
63,451
29,471
85,771
121,367
23,044
18,739
9,708
(430)
9,708
(430)
-
10,753
-
18
-
-
303
4,920
41,080
38,229
13,643
38,229
524,296
790,793
524,296
790,793
730,060
992,000
634,807
881,740

56

Safe Passage International Notes to the financial statements For the year ended As at 31 December 2024

14 Creditors: amounts falling due after one year

Deferred Income (Note 16) The Group
SPI UK
2024
2023
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
719,126
1,099,661
719,126
1,099,661
719,126
1,099,661
719,126
1,099,661

15 Deferred Income

Deferred income comprises grants funds that have been received in the financial year where the respective grant agreement specifies that some of these grant funds are to cover activities that will take place after the financial year end. The large increase in deferred income is the result of large multi-year restricted grant recieved in the year, as a portion of the funding is specifically intended for the financial year 2025

Opening Balance
Amount Released to income in the year
Amount deferred in the year
Balance at the end of the year		 The Group
SPI UK
2024
2023
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
1,890,454
180,950
1,890,454
177,271
(1,171,328)
(180,950)
(1,171,328)
(177,271)
524,296
1,890,454
524,296
1,890,454
1,243,422
1,890,454
1,243,422
1,890,454

16 Pension Scheme

The charity auto-enrols employees in the UK into a Defined Contributions Scheme with TPT Retirement solutions Scheme. Contributions are paid into the scheme by 10th of the month following that in which the contributions were deducted from gross pay.

17a Analysis of group net assets between funds (Current Year)

Tangible Fixed Assets
Net Current Assets
Long Term Liabilities
Net assets at 31 December 2024		 General
Unrestricted
Designated
funds
Restricted
funds
Total
funds
£
£
£
£
24,652
-
-
24,652
1,826,599
417,738
52,747
2,297,044
(719,126)
-
-
(719,126)
1,132,085
417.738
52,747
1,602,570

57

Safe Passage International Notes to the financial statements For the year ended As at 31 December 2024

17b Analysis of group net assets between funds (Prior Year)

Tangible Fixed
Assets
Net Current Assets
Net Current
Liabilities
Net assets at 31 December 2023		 General
Designate
d
Restricte
d
Unrestricte
d
funds
funds
Total
funds
£
£
£
£
12,374
-
-
12,374
2,185,225
428,557
141,621
2,755,403
(1,099,661)
-
-
(1,099,661
)
1,097,938
428,557
141,621
1,668,116

58

Safe Passage International For the year end 31 December 2024 Note 18a Movements in funds (current year)

Restricted funds:
A B Charitable Trust
APBI Law Firms UK
Benevolentia
Choose Love
City Bridge Foundation
Comic Relief (across borders)
Comic Relief (Ukraine)
Foundation 4
Geoff Herrington Charitable Trust
Foundation 6
National Philanthropic Trust
Open Society Foundation
Paul Hamlyn Sudan & Gaza Crisis
Response
Sigrid Rausing Trust
SPIUP Law Firms
Sudan Projects (Law Firms)
Total restricted funds
Unrestricted funds:
Designated funds:
Opportunities Fund
Future Activities Fund
Total designated funds
General funds
Total unrestricted funds
Total funds		 At 1 January
2024
£
-
-
20,000
-
-
58,753
-
-
-
-
62,868
-
-
-
-
-
141,621
40,068
388,489
428,557
1,097,938
1,526,495
1,668,116		 Income &
gains
£
36,600
52,192
-
220,000
35,800
131,450
241,045
20,000
-
25,000
-
103,212
30,000
-
115,000
42,000
1,052,299
-
-
-
1,395,431
1,395,431
2,447,730		 Expenditure &
losses
£
(36,600)
(52,192)
(20,926)
(220,000)
(35,800)
(190,203)
(203,341)
(20,000)
-
(9,957)
(62,868)
(103,213)
(30,000)
-
(115,000)
(42,000)
(1,142,099)
(10,819)
-
(10,819)
(1,360,357)
(1,371,176)
(2,513,275)		 Transfers
£
-
-
926
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
926
-
-
-
(926)
(926)
-		 At 31
December
2024
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
37,704
-
-
15,043
-
-
-
-
-
-
52,747
29,249
388,489
417,738
1,132,086
1,549,823
1,602,570

59

Safe Passage International For the year end 31 December 2024 Note 18a Movements in funds (current year)

Purposes of restricted funds

AB Charitable Trust

Two grants; one restricted to UK activities, one restricted to UK partnership work to use legal assistance to support people fleeing Gaza.

APBI Law Firms UK

Pro Bono Legal partnerships established to support Afghan refugees seeking safety in the UK.

Benevolentia

Core support towards SPI's work to support child refugees in Europe (by using the law).

Choose Love

Grant funding salary costs in France.

City Bridge Foundation

Restricted grant towards the legal support and casework and the Young Leaders programme at Safe Passage

Comic Relief

wo grants: funding from the Across Borders Fund for Safe Passage towards support for people on the move throughout Europe. Funding restricted to SPI's Ukraine Response Project.

Geoff Herrington Charitable Trust

A restricted grant towards remuneration for experts by experience.

Foundation 6

A restricted grant supporting SPI clients who are experiencing financial hardship

National Philanthropic Trust

A multi-year grant, with the restriction that funds must be spent over a minimum of four years, with a maximum of 5% spent in the first year (2023), a maximum of 25% spent in each of the following three years (2024, 2025, 2026) and the remainder spent in the final year (2027).

Open Society Foundation

A restricted grant towards supporting clients in Sudan

Paul Hamlyn Sudan & Gaza Crisis Response

A restricted grant towards our crisis response work providing immediate and strategic support to those in Sudan and Gaza

Sigrid Rausing Trust

A grant towards SPI’s core activities in the UK, France and Greece.

SPIUP Law Firms

Support for Sudan projects from Law Firms.

Purposes of designated funds

Future Activities Fund

This fund represents the commitment the trustees have made to the implementation of specific activities and projects

Opportunities Fund

This fund would be for activities that are important opportunities or contingencies that it was not possible to budget precisely for in advance, but that may advance the charity’s mission and safeguard against an uncertain and fluctuating economic and fundraising climate.

60

Safe Passage International Notes to the financial statements For the year ended As at 31 December 2024

Note 18b Movements in funds (prior year)

Restricted funds:
AB Charitable Trust
APBI Law Firms UK
Benevolentia
Choose Love
Comic Relief
European Programme for Integration
and Migration (EPIM)
Foundation 1
Foundation 2
Foundation 3
Foundation 4
Foundation 5
Geoff Herrington Charitable Trust
National Philanthropic Trust
Sigrid Rausing Trust
Souter Foundation
The Law Society Charitable Trust
The Pilgrim Trust
The Roddick Foundation
The Swire Charitable Trust
Treebeard Trust
Trust for london
SPIUP Law Firms
Joseph Rowntree
Total restricted funds
Unrestricted funds:
Designated funds:
Opportunities Fund
Future Activities Fund
Staff Contingency Fund
Total designated funds
General funds
Total unrestricted funds
Total funds		 At 1
January
2023
£
15,000
340
-
-
-
36,003
-
146
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
51,489
40,068
255,393
50,000
345,461
776,337
1,121,798
1,173,287		 Income &
gains
£
35,400
43,329
20,000
82,500
193,203
8,493
32,000
40,083
25,000
20,000
2,000
8,000
78,737
80,000
3,000
2,500
10,000
1,500
18,333
7,500
31,750
110,800
38,675
892,803
-
-
-
1,527,377
1,527,377
2,420,180		 Expenditure
& losses
£
(50,400)
(43,669)
-
(82,500)
(134,451)
(44,496)
(32,000)
(40,229)
(25,000)
(20,000)
(2,000)
(8,000)
(15,868)
(80,000)
(3,000)
(2,500)
(10,000)
(1,500)
(18,333)
(7,500)
(31,750)
(110,800)
(38,675)
(802,671)
(10,819)
-
(56,467)
(67,286)
(1,066,213)
(1,133,499)
(1,936,170)		 Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
133,096
6,467
139,563
(139,563)
-
-		 At 31
December
2023
£
-
-
20,000
-
58,752
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
62,869
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
141,621
29,249
388,489
-
417,738
1,097,938
1,515,676
1,657,297

61

Safe Passage International Notes to the financial statements For the year ended As at 31 December 2024

Purposes of restricted funds

AB Charitable Trust

Two grants; one restricted to UK activities, one restricted to UK partnership work to use legal assistance to support people

fleeing Gaza.

APBI Law Firms UK

Pro Bono Legal partnerships established to support Afghan refugees seeking safety in the UK.

Choose Love

Grant funding salary costs in France.

Comic Relief

wo grants: funding from the Across Borders Fund for Safe Passage towards support for people on the move throughout Europe. Funding restricted to SPI's Ukraine Response Project.

European Programme for Integration and Migration (EPIM)

Grant towards SPI's Ukraine Response Project.

FOUNDATION #1

Towards our Campaigning and Advocacy work in response to the Afghan Crisis.

FOUNDATION #2

12-month grants for the UK Arrivals Programme and Youth Advocacy Programme supporting families and children prearrival

and upon arrival in the UK.

FOUNDATION #3

Restricted to UK advocacy and campaigning work.

FOUNDATION #4

Grant funding restricted to UK partnership work to use legal assistance to support people fleeing Gaza.

FOUNDATION #5

A restricted grant towards a Young Leaders residential (UK).

Geoff Herrington Charitable Trust

A restricted grant towards remuneration for experts by experience.

National Philanthropic Trust

A multi-year grant, with the restriction that funds must be spent over a minimum of four years, with a maximum of 5%

spent in the first year (2023), a maximum of 25% spent in each of the following three years (2024, 2025, 2026) and the remainder spent in the final year (2027).

Sigrid Rausing Trust

A grant towards SPI’s core activities in the UK, France and Greece.

Souter Charitable Trust

Grant towards SPI's Ukraine Response Project.

The Law Society Charitable Trust

A restricted grant towards the Ukraine Response Project.

62

Safe Passage International Notes to the financial statements For the year ended As at 31 December 2024

The Pilgrim Trust

A restricted grant towards the Ukraine Response Project (UK campaigning).

The Roddick Foundation

A restricted grant towards the Ukraine Response Project (pilot phase).

The Swire Charitable Trust

Fund restricted to UK activities.

Treebeard Trust

A restricted grant towards the Ukraine Response Project.

Trust for London

A grant plus continuation funding towards the Press and Public Affairs Manager and Youth Advocacy Programme.

SPIUP Law Firms

Pro Bono Legal partnerships established to support people fleeing Ukraine to reach safety in the UK.

Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust

A grant towards SPI's core activities in the UK.

Purposes of designated funds

Future Activities Fund

This fund represents the commitment the trustees have made to the implementation of specific 2024 activities and projects.

Opportunities Fund

This fund would be for activities that are important opportunities or contingencies that it was not possible to budget precisely for in advance, but that may advance the charity’s mission and safeguard against an uncertain and fluctuating economic and fundraising climate.

Staff contingency fund

In aid of progressive family friendly policies and any staffing shortcomings due to programmatic / core capacity response.

63

Safe Passage International Notes to the financial statements For the year ended As at 31 December 2024

19 Operating lease commitments payable as a lease

The group's total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases is as follows for each of the following periods:

Less than one year
One to five years
Over five years		 2024
Property
14,297
-
-
14,297		 2023
Property
16,536
-
-
16,536

20 Legal status of the charity

The charity is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. The liability of each member in the event of winding up is limited to £1.

64