2021-12-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 1 January 2021 Period start date To 31 December

Charity name: TREEZ

Charity registration number: 1185908

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	The advancement of environmental protection and improvement for the public benefit in Malawi by providing funding for locally managed reforestation projects. Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	Para 1.17 and 1.19	The charity’s activities are confined to raising funds and making grants to assist projects carried out by others in Malawi. During the period of this report the projects being supported in this way are those of Zomba TREEZ Ltd, a not for profit company recently formed in Malawi in an effort to protect and restore the once well forested area of the Zomba Plateau. Work for which grants have been given include new tree planting (and its subsequent maintenance), fire prevention and fire fighting. Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit

Statement confirming Para 1.18 The Trustees of the Charity have had whether the trustees have regard to the guidance issued by the had regard to the guidance Charity Commission on public benefit. issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38	The grants that the CIO can make are necessarily dependent on the amount of donations received. The aim is for all donation income to be given as grants, apart from a minimal amount for expenses and a very small working balance. An organisation seeking a grant must submit a costed proposal for a project in Malawi (and at least for the period covered by this report it must also be in the Zomba Plateau region). The organisation must hold a bank account in its name. Eligibility for a grant is then assessed against the following criteria: The proposal must be for community based tree planting initiatives that • Mobilise communities to tackle deforestation • Improve nutrition, food security, incomes and local livelihoods • Support communities’ rights to manage natural resources in a sustainable way • Mitigate the negative impacts of climate change • Preserve and promote indigenous knowledge of natural resource management

The aim is to support organisations that are based within or close to their community, and which represent the interests of the local community, including women and vulnerable groups; and to help such community-based organisations build their capacity. The charity has no paid employees. All its Para 1.38 activities are carried out by volunteers. Contribution made by volunteers Other

Achievements and Performance

	SORP reference
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.	Para 1.20	Some Background The Charity was formed as a result of the Trustees’ awareness of efforts being made in Malawi to reverse the degradation being suffered to the once well forested highland area of the Zomba Plateau. These efforts were at first undertaken by individuals, in particular the proprietors of Zomba Forest Lodge. Then in 2016 a not for profit company was formed to facilitate the work. This was named Zomba TREEZ Ltd (using an acronym that stands for “The Reforestation of the Environment and Ecosystem of Zomba”). The Charity was formed to help raise funds outside of Malawi to help with the work being done by Zomba TREEZ and potentially other similar projects in Malawi. Why reforestation is needed in Malawi Malawi has one of the highest rates of fuelwood use in the world, with 97% of the population dependent on firewood or charcoal for home use. Fast population

growth and increased urbanization has increased pressure on fuelwood and charcoal demand, leading to the depletion of Malawi’s forest resources. In the last few decades, Malawi has lost over half of her forests. The loss of forests brings with it multiple issues. Some of the most pressing ones include the loss of potential forest-based income (fuelwood, timber, honey, wild foods); changes in microclimate, leading possibly to less precipitation in areas with high deforestation; threats to local water resources and overall land degradation due to disturbances like fires and soil erosion. Poverty is both cause and effect in this scenario; Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world in terms of per capita income, and the loss of forest resources is likely to disproportionately affect communities in and around forested areas that might already inhabit marginal lands Making a start in Zomba It is against the above backdrop that the current efforts are being made to protect and enhance the forest resources of the Zomba Forest Reserve. Zomba Forest Reserve encompasses Zomba Plateau, a massif rising to 2000m in southern Malawi. The plateau is the only source of water for the city of Zomba, the former colonial capital and now Malawi’s fourth largest city with a population of around 100,000. The plateau further gives rise to multiple streams and small rivers that are used for drinking water and irrigation by local communities all around the plateau. Zomba, and the country’s second largest city Blantyre (which is only

an hour away), have placed rising pressure on Zomba Plateau’s forest resources; research has noted that urban areas depend heavily on charcoal (not locally collected firewood), meaning that the rising population of Zomba and Blantyre will continue using more and more charcoal. Zomba Plateau has lost vast amounts of its natural forest in the recent past. The existing forests have been ravaged by human-induced wildfires that are often set to get easier access to stands of trees deeper in the forest and to catch wildlife fleeing the fires. This has led to a vicious cycle of forest depletion, leading to loss of livelihoods, which in turns pressures communities to extract even more resources from the forest.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements	Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements	where relevant about:
Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41	The Charity has raised dontions of £14,622 and received grants of £10,179 and awarded £21,562 in grants to Zomba TREEZ, who have reported that with this aid they have achieved the following: TREEZ is the conservation project managed by Zomba Forest Lodge. Its goals are the protection, rehabilitation and enhancement of the environment and ecosystem of Zomba Plateau Forest Reserve, working together with the local communities around the Plateau and the Department of Forestry. Tree planting and conservation TREEZ first project was water catchment areas on the south western outer slopes of Zomba Plateau. The aim was to create Water Catchment Conservation Corridors (WCCCs) within, and complementary with, areas of timber plantation. The idea was to develop a workable system of conservation within the Forest Reserve that would

protect the vital water sources for the communities surrounding the Plateau. TREEZ recruited local groups within the communities to help. The species chosen were indigenous and/or fruit trees. Part of the plan was for the communities to see and realise that there were benefits for them in helping conservation. Everyone from the community would have a source of extra nutrition for themselves and their families, and also a potential source of income from the forest that came from protecting trees rather than cutting them. In future, once tree cover is mature enough to support it, we hope to encourage beekeeping programmes; this again would be both a source of nutrition and income generation. Each sponsored community group is assigned a specific zone for them to manage. The groups are paid a survival rate each year, for each tree/seedling that has made it through the year. The aim is to give a sense of ownership and responsibility to each group as well as much needed income. Both seedlings and naturally regenerated trees are counted. TREEZ now sponsors 2 church choirs, 1 women’s group, 1 local hip-hop band, and three selfformed Community conservation groups. Within the communities themselves TREEZ has introduced tree planting, in order to ease pressure on the Forest Reserve for firewood and illegal timber, and to improve livelihoods within communities. Planting is done in 3 different types: 1. Woodlots (away from water catchments and crops) of pines and eucalyptus, providing legal sources of timber. 2. Fruit trees, which are provided to each household so villages can become their own fruit orchards giving both nutrition and income. 3. Agroforestry trees, planted around maize gardens. Species are selected

that help nitrogen enrichment, soil erosion, and with good management (like coppicing) can provide a sustainable source of firewood. TREEZ also micro-finances the creation and development of seedling nurseries within communities, engendering a sense of ownership and vested interest in conservation and acting as a source of income generation. TREEZ sponsors the Zomba Tour Guide Association to create and maintain an indigenous tree seedling nursery on top of the Plateau. The seeds are collected from locally growing species and are raised in the correct soils and at the correct altitude and climate. A water catchment conservation area has been planted along the Mulunguzi River, helping to protect the water catchment for Zomba city. A new, additional indigenous seedling nursery has been constructed that will be a visitor site and tourist attraction, as well as a being an important addition to our reforestation efforts. Firefighting and fire prevention The main threat to any newly planted or existing trees is fire. One fire can destroy years’ worth of growth and conservation. TREEZ now sponsors 4 football teams and their netball counterparts from local communities around the Forest Reserve (Malakumu, Nankhunda, and Kasonga) These help with cutting fire breaks, firefighting, and patrolling during the dry season. They are a wonderful way of spreading environmental messages and sensitisation to villagers. During the rainy season they help with tree planting and maintenance of new and young trees. The amount of sponsorship that is given each year is linked to how many trees have been counted in the area they are responsible for.

The Zomba Tour Guide Association as part of their sponsorship help with any fires that might occur. TREEZ provides tools and equipment to the football and netball teams, community groups, the Tour Guides, as well as the Forestry Department. The reduction in fires in the area that is covered by the TREEZ community groups, means thousands of indigenous trees are naturally regenerating and slowly forests are being restored. In the past dry season fires in the areas TREEZ is working in have been almost eliminated to only 1 or 2 fires that have been contained and controlled. Environmental Awareness In 2018, TREEZ sponsored the first Environmental Awareness concert in the local community. Its aim was to spread environmental awareness messages to the local people who attended the concert. We bring a Malawian Popstar to the community, as well as local musicians, to perform the free concert. This proved so popular that in 2019 TREEZ ensured school participation as well. 8 schools were requested to write an environmental awareness song that was performed on the day of the concert and judged by famous Malawian artists. Prizes of school equipment were awarded to the first three places. The winning school was sent a studio to record a track of their song. It was a huge success, one that TREEZ hopes to repeat on an annual basis. Due to Covid-19 restrictions this programme is temporarily on hold. However, both the two church choirs and the local hip-hop band that TREEZ sponsors have written and recorded environmental awareness songs. These have been played and shared throughout the local area. TREEZ also paid for a “no bushfires” radio message to be recorded and played.

Environmental Education programme For conservation work to be successful, the communities involved need to understand the reasoning behind the ideas that TREEZ is trying to spread, so on the back of the success of the Environmental Awareness concert, TREEZ put together an environmental education programme to be taught in schools as an extracurricular activity. As an incentive for participation, TREEZ sponsored football and netball tournament between the schools, as well as a knowledge quiz. Sadly, this was temporarily put on hold due to the Covid19 situation. Run4Reforestation Run4Reforestation is an attraction for residents and tourists alike. In 2018, Zomba Forest Lodge organized the first Run4Reforestation to raise funds for TREEZ and conservation around the Plateau. Over 300 runners came for the first event and nearly 400 for the year after. The success of the event not only helps fund TREEZ but also raises awareness about deforestation and environmental degradation. In 2019 a Sustainability Fair to coincide with the Run was introduced, this attracted stallholders from all over Malawi promoting sustainable development and products. The 2020 and 2021 Run4Reforestations were organised on a virtual basis due to the Covid-19 situation and both were a huge success with people participating all over the world and raising the funds towards annual TREEZ activities. Performance of fundraising activities against objectives Para 1.41 set

Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41
Other

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	The charity has a cash balance of £11,493 at the end of the period.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	The balance of £11,493 has been retained for a further grant2 in 2022.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	£11,493
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	N/A
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47	Three principle sources of funding are:” Donations Grants An annual fundraising event – the Run4Reforestation
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	A written Constitution adopted in August 2019
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	As a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) whose only voting members are its trustees Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Para 1.25	The Constitution names the first trustees (who at present remain the only trustees). It further provides that the CIO shall have a board of trustees comprising at least 3 persons; and that the Board may recruit new trustees. In selecting these the Board must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements	Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements	where relevant about:
Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees	Para 1.51
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51	As described elsewhere in this report the Charity is achieving its charitable objectives by providing funding to Zomba TREEZ Ltd in Malawi. That organisation was the Charity’s inspiration and so far has been the Charity’s only direct beneficiary.
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51	Three of the trustees are related to Thomas Inch who is a director of Zomba TREEZ Ltd (and also the proprietor of

Zomba Forest Lodge). James Inch is Thomas’s father and Laura Coyle is his cousin. Ray Coyle is Laura’s husband. The fourth trustee, Selena Gleadow-Ware, is not related, but she has been a guest at Zomba Forest Lodge several times. The trustees are aware of the need to treat Zomba TREEZ Ltd as they would any other beneficiary and have required them to submit written, costed applications in accordance with the Charity’s grant making policy before making any funding available to them. Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	TREEZ
Other name the charity uses
Registered charity number	1185908
Charity’s principal address	2 Underwood Cottages Streatley RG8 9RA

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any)
	James Inch
	RayCoyle
	Laura Coyle
	Selena Gleadow- Ware

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of	Name	Address
adviser

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

No executive personnel

Other optional information

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Ray Coyle Full name(s) Ray Coyle Position (eg Secretary, Trustee Chair, etc) Date 13 May 2023

Treez CIO
Annual Accounts
Incorporation date				21/10/2019
Income and Expenditure as at					31/12/2021
Income
opening balanceq	£	9,317.35
Donations	£	14,622.00
Grants received	£	10,179.00			£	34,118.35
Expenditure
Fundraising expenses	£	916.00
Bank charges	£	146.00	£	1,062.00
Grants
Zomba Treez	£	21,562.80	£	21,562.80
Outgoings					£	22,624.80
Surplus					£	11,493.55

Treez Balance Sheet

	31/21/20	31/21/20		31/12/2021
Assets
Cash at Bank	£	9,317.35	£	11,493.89
Retained surplus	£	9,317.35	£	11,493.89