111 I, ANNUAL REPORT KIDSRIGHTS UK 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Annual Report KidsRights UK 2025................................................................................................... 3 |
|---|
| Foreword............................................................................................................................................ 3 |
| Introduction............................................................................................................................................ 4 |
| Part 1: KidsRights Foundation............................................................................................................ 5 |
| The International Children’s Peace Prize......................................................................................... 6 |
| KidsRights Index............................................................................................................................... 10 |
| State of Youth.................................................................................................................................. 12 |
| Part 2: KidsRights UK........................................................................................................................ 15 |
| Structure, Governance and Management..................................................................................... 15 |
| Objectives and Activities................................................................................................................. 15 |
| Achievements and Performance.................................................................................................... 16 |
| Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities......................................................................................... 16 |
| Statement of Financial Activities.................................................................................................... 17 |
| Balance Sheet................................................................................................................................... 18 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements................................................................................................. 19 |
| Plans for Future Periods................................................................................................................. 22 |
ANNUAL REPORT KIDSRIGHTS UK 2025
Foreword
The world's children are facing challenges that feel both vast and urgent. Conflict, climate change, the mental health crisis, and deepening inequality do not stop at borders, and neither does the determination of young people to be heard, to lead, and to build something better. It is in that spirit that KidsRights UK was born.
Launching in the United Kingdom is part of something bigger. For KidsRights, establishing a presence here represents a significant step in growing our international reach - connecting our global mission to new audiences, new partners, and new supporters who share our belief that children's rights must be at the heart of how we build the world. The UK offers an extraordinary platform: a vibrant civil society, a global network of influence, and a strong tradition of international philanthropy. Being here allows us to amplify the work of KidsRights worldwide, and to bring more people (donors, advocates, policymakers and changemakers) into a movement that is already making a real difference.
But this is not only about reach. It is also about the young people across the UK who deserve to be part of that movement. We have already encountered children and young people here who are not waiting for permission to lead. They are speaking out on mental health, challenging inequality, and demanding that their voices carry real weight. KidsRights UK will be a home for them too.
We are building something here with real ambition and real excitement: partnerships, programmes, and a growing community of supporters who understand that investing in children's voices produces lasting change. Every connection we make in the UK strengthens the wider KidsRights mission: to ensure that children everywhere are heard, protected, and empowered to shape their own futures.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who has believed in this from the start. This is only the beginning and the potential ahead of us is extraordinary.
Because when children and young people are given the space, the tools, and the belief that their voices count, real and lasting change follows.
Marc Dullaert Founder, KidsRights
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INTRODUCTION
This report marks the first few months of activity for KidsRights UK, reflecting both our establishment as an independent UK charity and our place within the wider KidsRights movement.
To provide clarity and context, this report is structured in two parts.
Part One offers an overview of the broader KidsRights Foundation, established in the Netherlands. It introduces the organisation’s global mission to promote children’s rights and amplify the voices of young changemakers, alongside its flagship programmes: the International Children’s Peace Prize, the KidsRights Index, and State of Youth. This section provides important background on the international work and proven impact that underpin the KidsRights model, and which KidsRights UK is working to support, adapt and grow within the UK context over time.
Part Two presents the KidsRights UK Annual Report for 2025, outlining the charity’s activities, achievements and progress during its first few months of operation. As a newly established organisation, 2025 has been a foundational year focused on building the charity’s governance, operations, partnerships and foundations for programme delivery in the UK. This section clearly distinguishes KidsRights UK’s own activities, highlighting the steps taken to establish a sustainable platform for future growth and impact.
Together, these two sections demonstrate how KidsRights UK is both rooted in a wellestablished global movement and developing its own distinct role within the UK. While our direct delivery in 2025 has been intentionally focused on the set-up and early-stage, it lays the groundwork for future expansion — including strengthening UK engagement with and support for KidsRights’ global programmes.
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PART 1: KIDSRIGHTS FOUNDATION
KidsRights has been working worldwide for the rights of the child for more than twenty years. Based on the conviction that children and young people not only deserve protection but are also powerful changemakers, we are building a world in which their voice has genuine influence. That mission is more urgent than ever.
At KidsRights, we believe that children have the right to be heard and actively involved in decisions that affect their lives and future, but also the right to express themselves and take action. These principles are enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and form the starting point for everything we do.
WATCH THE STORY OF OUR LAUREATES
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THE INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S PEACE PRIZE
The International Children's Peace Prize has grown over more than twenty years into the world's most important youth award. Since its founding in 2005 by Marc Dullaert and the official launch at the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates under the leadership of Mikhail Gorbachev, the prize has grown into a global platform for young changemakers who, with courage, vision and determination, stand up for children worldwide.
Desmond Tutu Study & Care Fund
To support winners in their personal and social development, KidsRights established the Desmond Tutu Study & Care Fund, named after patron Desmond Tutu. Through this fund, KidsRights supports laureates in accessing education and academic development. The fund also provides support to the winners' siblings.
Each year, KidsRights receives hundreds of nominations from around the world. An independent international expert committee selects the winner based on impact, courage, leadership and commitment to children's rights. The prize is traditionally presented by a Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
With this, KidsRights invests not only in the social impact of today's young leaders, but also in their long-term future. Previous winners show what lasting impact looks like — they are building organisations and human rights platforms worldwide that reach hundreds of thousands of children.
The prize gives winners international visibility and concrete support to further develop their social initiatives. The winner receives the iconic Nkosi statue and a project fund of €50,000 for concrete initiatives that contribute to the position of children.
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The International Children's Peace Prize 2025
In 2025, we awarded the International Children's Peace Prize for the 21st time. This year the prize went to Bana Alabed, a 15-yearold Syrian living in Turkey who courageously gives a powerful voice to children in war zones. Worldwide, she drew attention to the suffering of Syrian children during the war, giving a voice to thousands of displaced children. Thanks to her tireless commitment, the International community was put under pressure to address the impact of war on children, and she was able to reach world leaders including President Macron, convincing them to advocate for ceasefires, protection of civilians and humanitarian solutions.
The ceremony was organised in collaboration with the Global Child Forum, founded in 2009 by the Swedish Royal Family.
The three finalists of this year were:
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Aeshnina (Nina) Azzahra Aqilani (17, Indonesia) fights against 'plastic colonialism' and advocates for environmental justice worldwide.
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Divyansh Agrawalkoos (16, United States) mobilises thousands of young people for climate policy, driving force behind 18 environmental laws.
The Ceremony
- Bana Alabed (15, Syria) has become the voice of children in conflict zones, drawing on her own war experiences.
The award ceremony took place in Stockholm City Hall. Guests from all over the world attended, including Her Royal Highness Princess Laurentien of Orange and Countess Eloise of Orange, representatives of children's rights organisations, diplomats, youth leaders and international media.
WATCH THE CEREMONY
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Peace is not a luxury. The world must listen to us. Our childhood has been stolen due to wars and conflicts. We want to live safely in our own country. We want peace. And to those children who are suffering in wars: you are not alone.“
BANA ALABED Winner, International Children’s Peace Prize 2025
Winner 2025 - Bana Alabed
In her acceptance speech, Bana spoke emotionally about her childhood in Aleppo, the loss of loved ones and her determination to stand up for children without a voice. Her words drew prolonged standing ovations. Through international media, Bana's message reached more than 1.5 billion people around the world.
Bana grew up in the war and endured the siege of Aleppo in 2016, a period full of fear, loss and constant uncertainty. From a young age, she documented daily life in wartime through diaries, social media and her campaign 'Stand with Aleppo', which grew into a global movement with millions of participants.
She continues to focus her work on the devastating impact of war on children: lack of education, constant fear, trauma, insecurity and the loss of future prospects. Bana also continues to work tirelessly for the missing children in Syria, bringing hope and justice to families who have been living in uncertainty for years.
In addition to her activism, Bana is a respected young author and speaker. Through her books, articles, workshops and visits to refugee camps, she inspires young people worldwide to use their voices for peace, equality and protection of children's rights.
Bana's message has been widely taken up. From the Syrian government to the EU, Bana has been invited to speak. She recently spoke at the ECOSOC Youth Forum of the United Nations in New York, representing the voice of children and young people living in conflict zones.
Outside international policy forums, Bana's impact remained visible. Sky News made the documentary World. War. Me., in which Bana shows how war affects the lives of children. The documentary won a BAFTA TV Award in May 2026 in the category Children: NonScripted.
WATCH WORLD.WAR.ME
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THE KIDSRIGHTS INDEX
Children's rights form the foundation for the safe, healthy and just development of every child. With the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), virtually all countries in the world have committed to protecting and realising these rights. At the same time, practice shows that compliance with children's rights still varies greatly worldwide, and that millions of children are confronted daily with inequality, violence, poverty, limited access to education and healthcare, and insufficient opportunities to make their voices heard.
Driven by the conviction that children's rights must not only be enshrined but also genuinely upheld and strengthened, we developed the KidsRights Index. The KidsRights Index is the first and only global ranking that provides insight into how countries perform on children's rights, contributes to awareness, and encourages governments to place children's rights structurally higher on the political and social agenda.
In doing so, it looks at the most important aspects of children's lives for which comparable data are available worldwide.
In addition, the KidsRights Index makes use of recommendations from the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, which monitors the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Committee assesses fifteen to twenty countries annually and makes recommendations on how countries can better protect, realise and embed children's rights in policy and practice. These recommendations are incorporated into domain 5 of the KidsRights Index.
The KidsRights Index is an initiative of the KidsRights Foundation, in collaboration with Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Erasmus School of Economics and the International Institute of Social Studies. In 2025, the KidsRights Index was published for the 13th time. This year, 194 countries are included.
The KidsRights Index offers concrete, evidence-based recommendations on how governments can improve their policies and performance on children's rights. The KidsRights Index is based on the nearuniversally ratified United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and provides an overview and ranking of the performance of countries that are party to the Convention.
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194 TOP 3
COUNTRIES
1 - Greece
20 2 - Iceland
INDICATORS
3 -
Luxembourg
192 -Centr
African Republic
193 - South
Sudan
194 -
Afghanistan
5 DOMAINS
(Life, Healthcare, Education,
Protection, Child Rights, BOTTOM 3
Environment)
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I hope that all the stakeholders - especially governments, policymakers, child rights defenders, businesses, financial institutions and the international community, will continue to use the KidsRights Index to prioritise children’s rights”
MARC DULLAERT Founder, KidsRights
STATE OF YOUTH
In addition to global awareness-raising and advocacy through the International Children's Peace Prize and the KidsRights Index, we believe that lasting change comes from below. The UNCRC emphasises not only the right of children to protection and development, but also their right to be heard and actively participate in decisions that affect their lives.
State of Youth Chapter @ Refugee Empowerment Network
State of Youth Chapter @ BARMM
Based on that conviction, we developed State of Youth: a global youth movement in which young changemakers work together on social change within their communities. With State of Youth, KidsRights invests not only in participation, but above all in leadership, ownership and the power of young people to set change in motion themselves..
State of Youth Chapter @ Revivals Egypt
State of Youth Chapter @ DU Bangladesh
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State of Youth International
State of Youth is the international changemaking community of KidsRights. Since the launch in 2019 at the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Mexico and the UN General Assembly in New York, State of Youth has grown into a global network in which young people themselves organise social change.
The strength of State of Youth lies in ownership: young people determine the agenda themselves.
Of all Chapter activities, 90 percent now take place in rural and disadvantaged areas. Between 2019 and 2025, State of Youth grew into a network of more than 700 Chapters in over 70 countries.
Young people between the ages of 12 and 29 start local Chapters, committing themselves to themes that directly affect their lives and future, ranging from climate and education to mental health, gender equality and children's rights.
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The global network of State of Youth connects hundreds of young leaders who are passionate about the most diverse themes. It is a place to exchange ideas, share best practices and learn from each other's successes and challenges.“
AYA, State of Youth @Speak Out Youth, Indonesia
PART 2: KIDSRIGHTS UK
Structure, Governance and Management
KidsRights UK is a registered charity (Charity Number 1213017), established in 2025 as the United Kingdom affiliate of Stichting KidsRights in the Netherlands. Registered office: 167-169 Great Portland Street, 5th Floor, London, W1W 5PF.
The charity is governed by a Board of Trustees, responsible for the strategic direction, governance and oversight of the organisation. The Trustees during the period were Marc Dullaert (Chair), Sandip Shah (Treasurer), Karolina Joynathsing and Jade Raad.
Day-to-day operations are led by the Country Director, Monique Surridge, who was appointed in September 2025.
As this was the charity’s initial period of operation, the focus was on establishing appropriate governance structures, financial controls and compliance systems in line with UK regulatory requirements. Key administrative functions, including banking, financial reporting processes and charity governance procedures, were put in place during the period.
Objectives and Activities
The object of the charity is to promote and protect the rights of children and young people, in accordance with the principles set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
KidsRights believes that children are not only vulnerable individuals who require protection, but also powerful changemakers capable of contributing to positive societal change.
To deliver its mission, KidsRights works across three interconnected pillars:
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Advocacy – raising awareness of children’s rights globally, including through the International Children’s Peace Prize
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Research – generating evidence-based insights through initiatives such as the KidsRights Index
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Action – empowering children and young people to drive change through programmes such as State of Youth
The Trustees confirm that they have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance when planning and carrying out the charity’s activities.
During the period under review, activities focused on establishing the UK entity and contributing, where appropriate, to the international work of KidsRights.
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Achievements and Performance
This reporting period covers the charity’s first phase of operation, from mid September to December 2025. In advance of UK programme delivery, a number of important foundations were established
Key achievements during the period included:
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Fundraising and positioning groundwork . The charity initiated early discussions with prospective donors and partners to establish future funding opportunities. Work also began on positioning KidsRights within the UK landscape as a credible and distinctive children’s rights organisation.
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Establishment of KidsRights UK. The UK office was formally established as part of KidsRights’ international expansion, strengthening its presence and enabling engagement with stakeholders in the United Kingdom.
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Operational set-up and capacity building . The recruitment of the Chief Executive Officer and establishment of basic operational systems enabled the charity to begin functioning effectively and to prepare for growth in 2026.
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Contribution to the International Children’s Peace Prize (ICPP) . During the period, KidsRights UK supported the international promotion of the International Children’s Peace Prize by engaging contacts and networks in the UK. This included raising awareness of the Prize among potential partners, supporters and relevant stakeholders, contributing to the visibility and reach of the initiative.
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Early stakeholder and partnership engagement. Initial outreach was undertaken to organisations within the UK children’s rights, youth and education sectors to explore opportunities for collaboration. These early conversations focused on building relationships that will support future programme delivery and impact.
Given the short reporting period, the Trustees recognise that measurable impact in the UK is limited at this stage. However, the activities undertaken represent important early steps in building a sustainable organisation capable of delivering public benefit in future periods.
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (UK GAAP). The trustees are required to prepare financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of its incoming resources and application of resources for that period.
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Statement of Financial Activities
For the period ended 31 December 2025
| 2025 £ | ||
|---|---|---|
| INCOME | ||
| Donations (note 2) | 13,902 | |
| Total Income | 13,902 | |
| EXPENDITURE | ||
| Other expenditure (see note 3) | 24,317 | |
| Total Expenditure | 24,317 | |
| Net Income / (Expenditure) | (10,415) | |
| Fund balances brought forward | 0 | |
| Fund balances carried forward | (10,415) |
All income and expenditure arises from continuing activities. There are no recognised gains or losses other than those disclosed above.
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Balance Sheet
As at 31 December 2025
| 2025 £ | ||
|---|---|---|
| FIXED ASSETS | ||
| Total Fixed Assets | 0 | |
| CURRENT ASSETS | ||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 1,809 | |
| Total Current Assets | 1,809 | |
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year |
(3,674) | |
| Net Current Assets | (1,865) | |
| Creditors: amounts falling due after one year |
(8,550) | |
| Total Net Assets | (10,415) | |
| THE FUNDS OF THE CHARITY | ||
| Unrestricted funds (free reserves) |
(10,415) | |
| Total Charity Funds | (10,415) |
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities SORP (FRS 102).
Approved by the Board of Trustees and signed on their behalf on 1ST July 2026:
Signed: _________
Sandip Shah Treasurer
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Notes to the Financial Statements
Note 1 – Accounting Policies
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Basis of preparation - The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. They have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) and FRS 102.
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Income recognition - 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 the amount can be measured reliably.
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Expenditure recognition - 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.
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Fund accounting - Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors. Designated funds are set aside by the trustees for specific purposes.
Note 2 – Income from Donations and Legacies
| 2025 £ | ||
|---|---|---|
| Individual donations | 13,902 | |
| Total | 13,902 |
Note 3 – Analysis of Expenditure
| 2025 £ | ||
|---|---|---|
| Staff costs | 21,026 | |
| IT equipment and management |
1,173 | |
| Fundraising consultancy | 1,150 | |
| Travel and accommodation | 756 | |
| Accountancy services | 200 | |
| Bank charges for foreign currency translation |
12 | |
| Total | 24,317 |
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Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Note 4 – Staff Costs
| 2025 £ | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wages and salaries | 18,500 | |
| Social security costs (NIC) | 2,526 | |
| Pension contributions | 0 | |
| Total | 21,026 |
The average number of employees (headcount) during the year was: 1 full-time.
No employee received emoluments in excess of £60,000. No trustee received any remuneration (prior year: nil).
Note 5 – Debtors
| 2025 £ | ||
|---|---|---|
| Total | 0 |
Note 6 – Creditors (amounts due within one year)
| 2025 £ | ||
|---|---|---|
| Trade creditors | 1,929 | |
| Tax and social security | 1,745 | |
| Total | 3,674 |
Note 6 - Creditors (amounts due after one year)
| 2025 £ | ||
|---|---|---|
| Loans (Euro 10,000) | 8,550 | |
| Total | 8,550 |
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Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Note 7 – Movement in Funds
| Fund | Opening £ | Income £ | Expend. £ | Closing £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted (free reserves) |
0 | (10,415) | (10,415) | |
| Total | (10,415) | (10,415) |
Note 8 – Related Party Transactions
KidsRights Foundation provided a loan due in 2030 of £8,550 (Euro 10,000).
Note 9 – Post Balance Sheet Events
There are no post balance sheet events to disclose.
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Plans for Future Periods
In 2026, KidsRights UK will move from establishment to delivery, with a focus on building impact within the United Kingdom while contributing to KidsRights’ global mission.
Key priorities include:
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Expanding partnerships across the UK children’s rights, youth and education sectors
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Supporting and amplifying global programmes, including the International Children’s Peace Prize, KidsRights Index and State of Youth
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Developing UK-based activities that enable children and young people to participate as changemakers
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Securing funding through trusts, foundations, corporate partners and individual donors
Strengthening awareness and positioning of KidsRights within the UK
These priorities are intended to build a sustainable and impactful UK organisation that contributes to improving the lives and rights of children.
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Bankers: CAF Bank Limited, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4JQ
For more information please contact:
info@kidsrights.org.uk www.kidsrights.org.uk
KidsRights UK is a registered charity in England & Wales 1213017. Registered office: 167-169 Great Portland Street, 5th Floor, London, W1W 5PF.