Registered Charity no. 1191805
Small International Development Charities Network
Trustees Annual Report and Accounts
Year Ended 31st December 2023
Small International Development Charities Network
Year Ended 31st December 2023
Contents Page
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Legal and Administrative Information | 1 |
| Trustees Annual Report | 2 |
| Statement of Receipts and Payments | 10 |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 11 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 12 |
Small International Development Charities Network
Year Ended 31st December 2023
Trustees Annual Report
Small International Development Charities Network (SIDCN) was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (Charity number 1191805) as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on the 14th October 2020.
The Trustees of SIDCN present this report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2022.
Reference and Administrative Details
Registered Charity Name
Small International Development Charities Network
Registered Address
75 Shoveller Drive Apley Shropshire TF1 6GQ
Email Contact
Web Address
info@sidcn.org https://www.sidcn.org
Trustees
Amber-faye Shotton Elizabeth Bird Olivia Barker-White Janine Edwards Corey Karaka Marlene Kawira Caterina Cedolini
(appointed Sept 2022) (appointed July 2022)
(appointed April 2023) (appointed Sept 2023) (appointed Sept 2023) (appointed Feb 2024)
Edward Morgan Paul James Crook Mylen Dorato Namocatcat Alex Emma McDonald
(resigned July 2023) (resigned Dec 2023) (resigned Jan 2023) (resigned Jan 2023)
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Small International Development Charities Network
Year Ended 31[st] December 2023
Trustees Annual Report
Our Objectives
SIDCN’s vision is an inclusive world supporting healthier, sustainable, and empowered communities around the globe.
We support this by connecting, strengthening, and championing Small International Development Charities so they are better able to support the communities they serve.
We represent and connect thousands of small organisations across the UK and around the world, wishing to offer mutual support and amplify their voice.
Public benefit
SIDCN benefits the public through activities to help small charities working overseas to deliver their services.
Chairs report
It’s been another busy and successful year for SIDCN and we continue to be amazed by the level of support received to continue our network, from members, to volunteers through to supporters and sponsors. However, the biggest success of 2023 was the first SIDCN Festival during Small Charity Week.
As a network of over 2400+ small charities that work in different sectors and regions of the world, we share a common vision of creating a more just, equitable, and sustainable world for all. We believe that small charities (not-for-profits) have a unique role and bring significant value, as they are often closer to the communities they serve, more responsive to their needs, and more innovative in their approaches. We also believe that small charities have a lot to learn from each other and that by CONNECTING, working together, we can AMPLIFY our voices and INFLUENCE all stakeholders.
Our peer network at its best:
The Facebook group has 100s’lof posts that begin: “Good morning, does anyone have experience of….”
New Membership
In 2023 we agreed to broaden our reach and use the network to influence, amplify and connect letting anyone sign up for membership (whether an organisation or individual) but capture data so we can engage groups/individuals appropriately and enable SIDCN to monitor and evaluate interest, need and impact. There are now two types of membership via the website:
Voting Member = Active Member of the SIDCN Facebook group – e.g.Individuals working with or for Small International Development Charities
Associate Member = Active interest in the sector e.g. Corporate, Student, Government
We continue to have an active Facebook group who are constantly providing a source of peer support and advice to each other, as well as monthly and ad hoc virtual peer group meetings. It is dedication and generosity that enables our ability to make a positive contribution to the Small Charity sector.
Over the past year, SIDCN has achieved key milestones and continued to implement initiatives, all aimed at empowering our community and advancing our cause. These continue to be delivered under our four core working groups of; Connect, Amplify, Influence and admin/sustainability.
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Small International Development Charities Network
Year Ended 31[st] December 2023
Trustees Annual Report
Connect Working Group
We continue to have a group of passionate volunteers who serve as admins in our thriving Facebook group. This team efficiently manages various tasks, including vetting new members, addressing flagged posts, and promptly responding to questions, fostering an inclusive and supportive online space.
We continue to not only gather important insights into the experiences of our members through the connect group but it also provides us with an important channel to update our members with information.
We continue to build upon the work started in 2022 by launch our first SIDCN Festival “SIDCN Fest” during Small Charity Week 2023.
SIDCN Festival Line up in 2023
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Small International Development Charities Network
Year Ended 31[st] December 2023
Trustees Annual Report
Amplify Working Group
We successfully launched our website www.sidcn.org at the SIDCN Fest 2023 with great excitement. This also included the launching of a new SIDCN Logo. Huge thanks to Lorelle (Great Good) who helped us to navigate these changes.
Another initiative that brought our community closer together was our efforts to share member stories through our multiple channels. We started featuring these inspiring stories on our website, allowing visitors to connect with the real-life impact of our members and their work. Additionally, continuing to create engaging newsletters and social media use to showcase member stories, to foster a sense of unity and empowerment.
These activities have refuelled our energy as a volunteer-led charity, and we look forward to building upon these successes in the year ahead.
Moving forward we want to hear the voices of smalls and are committed to creating more opportunities to hear from our members. We recognise that smalls time is valuable (and usually volunteered) making it less likely for them to find the resources to share their stories for free. We have made a commitment to make a financial contribution to each member who submits a blog or speaks at an SIDCN event to ensure that these opportunities are more accessible. We are also committed to ensuring that speaking opportunities are diverse and reflect our global community of members, actively encouraging members in the UK to share or nominate their colleagues and partners outside of the UK.
Influencing Working Group
FSI International Learning Programme legacy
At the start of the year, we heard about the sad news that the FSI was to close, alongside Small Charities Coalition in 2022. The FSI was a close sector ally of SIDCN and had successfully delivered a project funded by UKAid to support small international charities – which SIDCN members had supported. After extensive negotiation by our Chair of Trustees, Amber Shotton, we were able to secure access to the FSI legacy learning from the International programme. We look forward to giving access to this valuable resource to our members over the coming months.
Response to the UK Government’s white paper
We continued to work towards global change with regards to the 'Shift the Power' movement.
In the summer of 2023, the UK government put out an international development white paper and call for evidence. As a network of charities, we are deeply committed to global solidarity, and whilst we appreciated the opportunity to contribute to the government's white paper, we were also hampered by the short timeframes given and language used within the paper constraining our ability for substantive consultation. As a result, we opted to use a series of polls to gain input from our network (receiving 150 responses to polls). Some of the key findings were:
- Prioritise Local Ownership and Empowerment. Projects should be co-developed with local communities, fostering locally-led initiatives that are tailored to the unique needs and context of each community. The UK should actively support capacity-building efforts, enabling Global South countries to take the lead in defining their own development priorities, removing bottlenecks, ensuring funding reaches the communities it is intended for and is designed to transition from aid dependence to selfsufficiency.
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Small International Development Charities Network
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Trustees Annual Report
-
Equitable Partnerships are central to regaining trust. The UK should recognize and address power imbalances in development cooperation. This entails engaging Global South partners as equals in the decision-making process, sharing resources and responsibilities, and ensuring that the benefits of development projects are distributed fairly. Transparent and accountable governance of these partnerships is essential.
-
Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building that empowers Global South countries to lead their own development efforts. This involves providing access to relevant information, technical expertise, and training that builds local capacity. Collaboration should focus on sharing best practices and lessons learned, enabling local growth and supporting them in setting functional structures with an aim of sustainability.
In addition, the UK government needs to;
Reinforce cultural sensitivity and have contextual understanding, and respect local cultures and norms.
Ensure inclusive Decision-Making noting the UK’s commitment to Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) principles in practice, ensuring marginalized and vulnerable groups play a key role in decision-making processes at every stage.
Employ a strengths-based approach that values the perspectives, experience and knowledge of local partners and communities and ensures they are considered.
Adopt a more coherent approach to policy, ensuring foreign policy, trade, and aid strategies are aligned to support equitable partnerships and sustainable development. In doing so, the UK can set an example for other countries in fostering trust and cooperation.
By implementing these principles and listening closely to the many small, local CSOs that are closest to development efforts, can the government build a more credible and effective system.
UK Alliance
SIDCN is a member of the UK Alliance alongside England (Bond), the national networks of Scotland (Scotland’s International Development Alliance), Northern Ireland (CADA), the South West of England (SWIDN) and Wales (Hub Cymru Africa).
“The UK Alliance unites the sector allowing it to achieve greater impact on collaborative advocacy, shared learning, collective strategising and problem solving. Together and apart, the UK Alliance provides a platform for dialogue between our members and allies, which allows us to collate and disseminate data, evidence opinions on mutual areas of interest, sharing them into regional and
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Small International Development Charities Network
Year Ended 31[st] December 2023
Trustees Annual Report
global debates and policy fora. As the UK Alliance we provide specialist support to all sizes of organisation and recognise the important contribution that small and micro-organisations make to a strong civil society.
As a collective, the UK Alliance has over 3,500 members (including diverse organisations of all sizes) and a wider, direct reach of 47,000 people within the UK’s international development sector. Together, we reach 22,500 individuals with our direct communications about the work we do, our activities and events, and the opportunities we provide to convene, collaborate and learn. We directly build the capacity and resilience of thousands of UK-based organisations whose work impacts tens of millions of people in lower- and middle-income countries.”
SIDCN has continued to build upon our relationship with UK Alliance to be formally recognised within the alliance and form part of a multi-year grant application to FCDO to continue our work within the partnership. This grant will enable SIDCN to supplement its current volunteer-led work with additional paid resource.
Financial Summary
During the year we received £24,22 in grant funding and donations. We are grateful to Bond (through FCDO UK Aid) for their contribution to the running of our organisation enabling SIDCN to begin to plan projects and campaigns for 2023 (including A Small Charity Week event and upgrade to our website and branding).
A continues huge thank you to our regular giver!
As an infrastructure support organisation it is rare to be gifted income from individual supporter, as our services are second tier, directed to supporting small charities directly delivering support and therefore do not have the immediate emotional appeal that other charitable causes do.
Thank you – you continue to know who you are!
At the end of the year SIDCN held £2,715 of unrestricted funds to be spent on charitable purposes in the future.
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Small International Development Charities Network
Year Ended 31[st] December 2023
Trustees Annual Report
Our Theory of Change
Governance
At the end of 2023, SIDCN has a board of 6 Trustees, who meet regularly throughout the year to set the vision, lead on strategy and, along with the working group volunteers, carry out the aims and public benefit of the charity.
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Small International Development Charities Network
Year Ended 31[st] December 2023
Trustees Annual Report
In early 2023, our interim Chair Amber Shotton, agreed to make the role more permanent which was ratified at our January AGM. As the year progressed two Trustees were due to step down in 2023 and kindly supported the remaining trustees in a large-scale recruitment process.
The board agree to actively recruit new Trustees and to put in place wraparound support including buddying, external and internal training too. We had an overwhelming number of applications c.20 and successfully appointed four trustees and some additional volunteers too.
A big thank you to Ally, Mylen, Ned and Paul, who stood down in 2023, for their work as Trustees and continued support at SIDCN.
Compliance
Trustees are recruited to the board by invitation, open advertisement and through our network. Applicants complete a vetting and approval process with the existing board.
Volunteer Appreciation
As a volunteer-led organisation, we are ever grateful for the passion and energy that our volunteers provide throughout the year, whether it is a response to a peer query, supporting a short research project, sharing your skills and knowledge or regularly hosting virtual peer groups - we thank you for your time and skills.
However, we would like to shine a light on two volunteers of SIDCN, whose unwavering energy continues to amaze us. Claire Hardy and Julian Page, are two of our most active ‘Connect’ working group volunteers. They ensure weekly brag basket is shared and that our Friday morning meet ups run each week without fail, plus support major events such as SIDCN’s Festival hosting the lunchtime session with warmth and welcome, energy and joy. It is our volunteers that are the lifeblood of SIDCN, but also make it the wonderful network of support that it is.
New Partnerships and Collaborations
We want to make a special thank you to Chris Knott Insurance and Thrive recruitment for supporting our very first SIDCN Fest during Small Charity Week. We are also hugely grateful for our first 2 corporate sponsors and look forward to building on these collaborations in the future.
Lead sponsor: Chris Knott Insurance - Chris Knott Insurance is an independent insurance broker based in Hastings, East Sussex. Since 1983, their teams have been helping businesses and individuals across the UK to find tailored cover for their specific needs. As Charity Insurance specialists, the CKI team works closely with clients in order to find the right cover at the right price, so you can focus on supporting your cause. Find out more: www.chrisknott.co.uk/sidcn
Thrive Charity Recruitment - If you’re looking to recruit take a look at Thrive as an alternative to expensive Agency fees. Thrive’s service is like having your own in-house Recruitment Team. On average companies who use Thrive save around 60% on their hire costs. Find out more: www.thrivecharityrecruitment.com
Future Plans and Vision
Looking ahead, our members remain at the heart of everything we do, and their input will guide our future endeavours. Priority is given to actively listening to their valuable feedback and suggestions to shape our initiatives effectively. We want to hear from members and will issue an annual survey in the new year.
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Small International Development Charities Network
Year Ended 31[st] December 2023
Trustees Annual Report
We continue to enhance our digital presence with a new YouTube channel which holds recordings from the SIDCN Fest 2023 and education forum sessions. Few continue to update the Website and mailing list, enabling seamless access to information and resources. Our commitment to clear and transparent communication through a regular Newsletter, keeps our supporters informed and engaged. Increasing our social media presence on key platforms such as LinkedIn enables us to connect and influence a broader audience, extending our reach and impact. Engaging new supporters and building relationships within the wider sector continues to be integral to our commitment to raise the voice of smalls around the world.
We know that organisational resilience continues to be a challenge for smalls including SIDCN as a volunteer-led organisation. We continue to look for ways to engage more volunteers and partners to support our efforts.
www.sidcn.org
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Small International Development Charities Network
Year Ended 31st December 2023
Statement of Receipts and Payments
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted Funds |
Total Funds | |||
| Note | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Receipts | |||||
| Donations and legacies | 2 | 2,422 | - | 2,422 | 1,852 |
| Investments | 4 | - | 4 | 1 | |
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| Total Receipts | 2,426 | - | 2,426 | 1,853 | |
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| Payments | |||||
| Expenditure on charitable activities | 3 | 1,378 | - | 1,378 | 492 |
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| Total Payments | 1,378 | - | 1,378 | 492 | |
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| Net receipts/(payments) | 1,048 | - | 1048 | 1361 | |
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| Net movement in funds (Cash) | |||||
| Total funds (Cash) brought forward | 1,667 | - | 1,667 | 306 | |
| Transfers | - | - | - | - | |
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| Total funds (Cash) carried forward | 2,715 | - | 2,715 | 1,667 | |
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Small International Development Charities Network
Year Ended 31st December 2023
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| £ | ||
| Fixed assets | ||
| Tangible fixed assets | - | - |
| Current assets | ||
| Cash at bank | 2,715 | 1,667 |
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|
| Total assets held at year end 31st Dec 2021 | 2,715 | 1,667 |
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|
| Funds of the charity | ||
| Unrestricted funds | 2,715 | 1,667 |
| Designated | - | - |
| Restricted funds | - | - |
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| Total charity funds | 2,715 | 1,667 |
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These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees or SIDCN and signed by:
Name: AmberShotton ────────────────────────────────────────────────── Signed: ────────────────────────────────────────────────── 20/09/2024 Date of approval:
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Small International Development Charities Network
Year Ended 31st December 2023
Notes to the Financial Statements
1 Accounting Policies
Basis of Preparation
The financial statements have been prepared on a cash basis when receipts and payments take place through the bank account or petty cash.
Assessment of Going Concern
Preparation of the accounts is on a going concern basis. The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
Fund Accounting
Unrestricted funds comprise those funds which the trustees are free to use for any purpose in furtherance of the charitable objects. Unrestricted funds include designated funds where the trustees, at their discretion, have set aside resources for a specific purpose.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by the donor or the term of specific appeal.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the accounts.
Incoming Resources
All incoming resources are recognised once the charity has entitlement to the resources and the money has been paid.
Resources expended
Expenditure is recognised on an cash basis when payments have been made through the bank account or by petty cash.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
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Small International Development Charities Network
Year Ended 31st December 2023
Notes to the Financial Statements
| **2 ** | Analysis of Receipts | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total Funds | ||
| Funds | Funds | 2023 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Donations and legacies | ||||
| Donations | 570 | - | 570 | |
| Grants | 1,852 | - | 1,852 | |
| Investments | ||||
| Interest | 4 | - | 4 | |
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| Total Receipts | 2,426 | - | 2,426 | |
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| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total Funds | ||
| Funds | Funds | 2022 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Donations and legacies | ||||
| Donations | - | - | - | |
| Grants | 1,852 | - | 1,852 | |
| Investments | ||||
| Interest | 1 | - | 1 | |
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| Total Receipts | 1,853 | - | 1,853 | |
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Small International Development Charities Network
Year Ended 31st December 2023
Notes to the Financial Statements
| **3 ** | Analysis of Payments | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total Funds | ||
| Funds | Funds | 2023 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Operational cost | 183 | - | 183 | |
| Professional fees | - | - | - | |
| Advertising, marketing and communication | 1,111 | - | 1,111 | |
| Fundraising / stewardship | - | - | - | |
| Governance | 84 | - | 84 | |
| Other expenditure | - | - | - | |
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| 1,378 | - | 1,378 | ||
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| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total Funds | ||
| Funds | Funds | 2022 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Operational cost | 256 | - | 256 | |
| Professional fees | - | - | - | |
| Advertising, marketing and communication | 236 | - | 236 | |
| Fundraising / stewardship | - | - | - | |
| Governance | - | - | - | |
| Other expenditure | - | - | - | |
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| 492 | - | 492 | ||
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