CSW Annual Report and Audited Accounts 2024/25
Charity number: 281836 Company number: 1536426
**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
## Table of contents
**Organisational Details .................................................................................................... 3 Message from the Chair .................................................................................................. 4 Message from the CEO .................................................................................................... 5 About CSW .................................................................................................................... 6 Governance, Structure & Management ............................................................................. 7 Our commitment to safeguarding .................................................................................. 10 Environmental impacts ................................................................................................ 10 Gathering evidence. Exposing injustice. ......................................................................... 11 Equipping policymakers. Calling for change. .................................................................. 15 Empowering communities and individuals ..................................................................... 17 Financial Review ......................................................................................................... 21 Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Christian Solidarity International ........... 25 Statement of Financial Activities - Incorporating Income and Expenditure Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 ............................................................................................ 28 Balance Sheet – As at 31 March 2025 .............................................................................. 29 Statement of Cash Flows For the year ended 31 March 2025 ............................................. 30 Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025................................. 31**
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**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
## Organisational Details
## Directors
The Trustees of Christian Solidarity Worldwide (the operating name of Christian Solidarity International) are directors for the purposes of company law and Trustees for the purposes of charity law (hereafter referred to as the Trustees).
William Lowe, Chair from 11 September 2024[1 2 3] Ann Marie Agyeman[2] Helen Berhane Nuguse Victoria Butler Jenny Cornfield, Chair to 11 September 2024 (resigned 5 December 2024)[ 3] Jael Dharamsingh (resigned 20 March 2025) Simon George[1 2 ] Michael Gibbons[1 2 3] Nigel Grinyer Stuart Keir Fady Nassar Bill Rockett, Chair of ExCo from 13 March 2025[1 ] David Taylor
> 1 Executive Committee
> 2 Governance Committee
> 3 Remuneration Committee
## **Secretary** Scot Bower
## Strategic Leadership Team
Scot Bower CEO Mervyn Thomas CMG Founder President Tayo Folorunsho Finance Director (from 2 January 2025) Anne Tester Finance Director (to 8 November 2024) Dr Khataza Gondwe Joint Advocacy Director Anna-Lee Stangl Joint Advocacy Director Audrey Skervin Director of Fundraising Jane Bave Head of People and Culture Steven Selvaraj Asia Team Leader Kiri Kankhwende Press and Public Affairs Team Leader
## Registered office
Causeway House, 1 Dane Street, Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, CM23 3BT
CSW is a registered charity (registration number 281836) and a company limited by guarantee (registration number 1536426, England and Wales).
## Advisors
**Registered Auditors** : Price Bailey LLP Chartered Accountants, 3rd Floor, 24 Old Bond St, Mayfair, London, W1S 4AP
**Bankers** : National Westminster Bank plc, 10 South Street, Romford Town Centre Branch, Romford, Essex, RM1 1RD
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**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
## Message from the Chair
I look back on the last year and reflect that it has been a privilege to see CSW’s teams at work, publishing briefings on our 30 countries of focus, including in-depth reports on North Korea, Nicaragua and Cuba, delivering community support through our psycho-social project work and mobilising advocacy interventions at a time of heightened global uncertainty and humanitarian crises.
I continue to be humbled by the generosity and commitment of our staff, supporters, volunteers, and partners, without whom this work would not be possible.
I would also like to thank my fellow Trustees for all they have contributed to the life and work of CSW throughout the last year and the way they have continued to help navigate and support CSW through this season of uncertainty and challenge. I am particularly grateful to colleagues on the Executive Committee who have shared their skills and experience, working with our Strategic Leadership Team to ensure we have firm financial foundations during these uncertain economic times. It is a great honour to serve alongside each one of them, and I continue to be grateful for the many gifts and skills they bring to CSW.
I extend my heartfelt thanks to Jenny Cornfield, who stood down as Chair on 11 September 2024. I am particularly grateful to her and to Jael Dharamsingh for their unique perspectives and insights, and their valuable contributions to the life and work of CSW during their time on the Board.
Throughout the reporting period, we have continued to take vital steps to increase our impact as we seek to build a global movement for justice, balancing the need to respond to emerging global challenges and crackdowns with pushing forward with our strategic plans. It is a testament to our leadership, staff team and regional partners in the US, Nigeria and Impulso18 in Mexico that we have been able to continue to do so.
As ever, we are grateful to God for His provision, faithfulness, and wisdom in everything we do. It is our great privilege to see the ways in which God has used us to work for justice and defend the cause of the oppressed.
CSW remains committed to addressing the desperate injustices unfolding in many of the countries on which we work, and we look forward to all that God will do through us to bring about justice and freedom.
**Bill Lowe Chair of Trustees**
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**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
## Message from the CEO
At the heart of everything we do at CSW is our vision of a world where everyone is free to believe. Whilst the shifting geopolitical landscape of the past year has created fresh challenges to our work, the passion and commitment of our team, our supporters and our donors to the realisation of that bold vision, one that believes for freedom and justice for all, has enabled CSW to deliver greater impact for communities and individuals all around the world.
From North Korea to Nicaragua our expert reports have shone a light on countries with egregious human rights records, where persecution, harassment, torture and arbitrary detention are realities for far too many. Our person-centred approach to advocacy has helped hundreds experiencing the deep and long-lasting effects of religious persecution. It’s these brave individuals, including faith and community leaders, human rights defenders and journalists that motivate our desire to speak up for all of those who suffer injustice because of their religion or belief.
I remain humbled and grateful to lead an incredible team of staff and volunteers who steadfastly advocate and campaign for freedom and justice around the world. It is because of their persistence and determination that we have been able to celebrate moments of progress, such as the release of Pastor Lorenzo Rosales in Cuba this year.
Particularly, in this challenging economic context I am more thankful than ever for our committed and generous donors and partner churches, without whom this work would not be possible.
The reality is that there will always be more to do, and CSW will continue to rise to the challenge! Crises and crackdowns on freedom are likely to continue in the 25+ countries in which we work, but, as long as there are individuals and communities suffering injustice because of the faith or belief they have chosen, our team will not stop pursuing justice and freedom, for all faiths and none.
With the grace of God, the persistence of our teams, and the commitment of our faithful supporters, I have no doubt that we will, one glorious day, realise our vision of a world where everyone is free to believe.
## **Scot Bower CEO**
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**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
## About CSW
Although almost every country in the world is a signatory to international human rights legislation that includes the obligation to respect, protect and fulfil the right to freedom of religion or belief, the reality is that in many countries members of religious minority - and in some cases, religious majority - communities face discrimination, harassment, imprisonment, enforced disappearance, punishment, torture or even death because of their religion or belief.
CSW works to address the injustice faced by those around the world who are experiencing, mistreatment, marginalisation, discrimination, or persecution on account of their religion or belief.
## Charitable objectives and activities
As set out in the charity’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, CSW exists to redress injustice and stand in solidarity with those persecuted or discriminated against for their faith, and/or the promotion of the Christian religion, through research and advocacy, raising awareness and the provision of aid.
## **Vision**
Our vision is a world where everyone is free to believe.
## **Mission**
CSW is a Christian human rights organisation advocating for freedom of religion or belief. As Christians, we stand with everyone facing injustice because of their religion or belief.
## **Focus**
Our team of specialist advocates work on over 25 countries through regional advocacy teams, supported by Public Affairs, Campaigns, Communications, Fundraising and Finance teams to ensure that the right to freedom of religion or belief is upheld and protected. We seek to challenge and change the laws, behaviours and policies which facilitate the abuse of this fundamental right.
We address injustices arising from violations of the right to freedom of religion or belief by:
- Undertaking in depth research, evidence gathering and documentation.
- Providing our findings, analysis and recommendations to politicians, policymakers and international institutions.
- Promoting freedom of religion or belief for all.
- Challenging and assisting policymakers to promote, protect and fulfil freedom of religion or belief for all.
- Training and equipping networks of partners and members of victim communities, empowering them to become advocates for justice.
- Seeking to shape the public, political and media agendas on freedom of religion or belief concerns around the world.
- Raising awareness among UK Christians, encouraging them to call for justice on behalf of those facing harassment, mistreatment, discrimination and persecution.
- Actively raising awareness and educating the public about these issues.
- Mobilising prayer, campaigning and support for those facing injustice.
In assessing the public benefit of the activities undertaken, the Trustees confirm that we have complied with our duty under the Charities Act 2011, and have given due and proper regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on the delivery of public benefit.
Our charitable activities are strategically linked to our long-term vision, five-year strategy and annual operational planning to ensure that we continually deliver on our charitable objects and are as effective as possible in our mission.
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**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
## Governance, Structure & Management
## Governing body and governance
CSW is a charity registered with the Charity Commission and operates through a company limited by guarantee, and subject to its Memorandum and Articles of Association.
The Directors of the company are also members of the board of Trustees, who are the governing body of the charity. The Board meets formally four times a year and administers the charity through an Executive Committee which meets four times a year. In addition, a Governance Committee and a Remuneration Committee meet annually. These committees are made up of members of the Board and operate under specific terms of reference from the Board.
Trustees are recruited based on the charity’s need for particular skills and experience and are appointed for an initial term of three years. CSW has implemented a maximum 3 term limit which a trustee may serve. All Trustees who served during the year are shown on page two of this report.
The Board, working through the Governance Committee, continually review the balance of experience and diversity of Trustees, actively recruiting to areas which are identified as in need of strengthening.
The Board carries out a performance review of retiring Trustees who present themselves for re-election. All members are circulated with invitations to nominate Trustees prior to the Annual General Meeting, advising them of retiring Trustees and requesting nominations for the meeting.
A formal induction and orientation process is followed for new Trustees, who receive training to equip them for undertaking their role as Trustee. This includes acquainting them with legal and statutory obligations as well as best practice guidance, as well as information regarding the operational setup and performance of the organisation, strategic plans, and meeting with key management personnel.
None of the members of the Board received remuneration for their work as Trustees. Details of Trustee expenses and related party transactions are disclosed in note 11 to the financial statements.
The key management personnel of the Charity are the Strategic Leadership Team (SLT) as listed on page two of this report, led by the CEO, this team is responsible for the running of the charity on a day-to-day basis. The remuneration of the CEO and Founder President is set by the Remuneration Committee, and the remuneration of the Strategic Leadership Team is set by the CEO.
## The CSW global network
CSW interacts widely with other organisations who work in associated fields, including with members of the international network, The Religious Liberty Partnership. Where appropriate CSW works collaboratively with other organisations to bring greater benefit to its beneficiaries.
The charity maintains close, but non-legally binding relationships with CSW entities in the United States, Mexico and Nigeria through the CSW Global Network. During the reporting period we continued with initiatives to strengthen and build these international partnerships. We have continued to build upon our strategy of building a global movement of campaigners and intercessors through authentic regional engagement, with a view to further expanding the international presence of the organisation. As well as strengthening our relationships with CSW in the US and Nigeria, we have further developed our relationship with Impulso18 in Mexico and strengthened our advocacy team in Latin America to better reach Spanish-speaking audiences.
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**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
## Trustees’ Responsibilities Statement
The Trustees (who are also directors of Christian Solidarity International for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' 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 directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they 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 directors are required to:
1. select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
2. observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP FRS102 (2019);
3. make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
4. state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
5. prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charitable company's transactions and 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.
- Each of the persons who are trustees at the time when this Trustees’ Report is approved has confirmed that:
- so far as that Trustee is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charity’s auditors are unaware; and
- that Trustee has taken all the steps that ought to have been taken as a trustee in order to be aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Charity’s auditors are aware of that information.
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.
## Principal Risks and Uncertainties
CSW operates a risk management process where the Trustees and SLT together identify and review the strategic and operational risks to the organisation. The Risk Register, which is reviewed by Trustees annually and monitored by the Executive Committee and the SLT, captures the probability of occurrence and the potential impact to the organisation, as well as actions taken to mitigate or eliminate the risk. The SLT are responsible for ensuring the Register is regularly updated and that action plans, protocols and standards are implemented.
The significant risks and steps taken to mitigate them:
**Financial** (including financial controls and income generation) and sustainability of general giving.
- Quarterly reviews of the fundraising strategy and performance across the income portfolio, and monthly reporting to the Executive Committee, enable the organisation to regularly review performance against fundraising targets. At the same time a robust budget management and quarterly review of expenditure enable the SLT to manage cashflow and financial performance.
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**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
**Reputational** (including issues of compliance and good governance)
- Regular monitoring and timely submission of all returns, including annual Fundraising levy, along with appropriate policy implementation and review ensure that CSW remains compliant in all relevant areas. The regular meetings of the Executive Committee and Governance Committee ensure oversight from Trustees.
- **Operational** (including personnel and health and safety)
- Compliance with, and review of, relevant operational and staff policies mitigate operational risks.
- **Technological** (including systems integrity and vulnerability to attack)
- Disaster recovery plan, including virtual servers and multi-backups, ensures business continuity. Crossorganisational security group meets regularly to identify and address risk areas, with the input of external experts, to ensure the organisation is not vulnerable to attack.
**Overseas Travel** (issues arising on assignment including kidnap and ransom scenarios)
- Appropriate and adequate insurance, including kidnap and ransom insurance, is in place covering all travel on behalf of the organisation. Robust travel process, country risk monitoring, pre-travel assessments and consultations with in-country partners enable assignments to be planned accordingly.
The current strategic risks to the organisation, and steps taken to mitigate them:
- A data breach carried out by a malicious actor compromises the security and safety of CSW staff and/or contacts. Upgrades to hardware and software, as well as established processes mitigate both the possibility of an attack and its potential impact. Specialist advice has been sought to improve processes in this area, along with comprehensive data security and GDPR training being delivered to all staff.
- Issues arising on overseas assignment. Established risk assessment processes and travel policy ensures that everything possible is done to understand and reduce risks before an assignment and emergency response protocols are in place should the need arise.
- The adverse economic impact on UK supporters arising from the increase in the cost of living. Continued investment in fundraising and diversifying our income portfolio including from supporters outside the UK has been prioritised.
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**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
## Our commitment to safeguarding
## **CSW is committed to maintaining the highest possible standards of integrity, accountability and openness as an organisation.**
Our staff are obliged to conduct themselves in keeping with these high standards.
As Christians, we believe that every human has immeasurable value and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.
CSW is committed to providing a safe environment which safeguards and protects anyone coming into contact with us, including all beneficiaries, staff, volunteers and supporters.
We want all beneficiaries, staff, volunteers, and supporters to know and experience CSW as a safe and trusted organisation.
We want all organisations who work with us, or who provide funding or other support to us, to have confidence in CSW and recognise that we are a safe organisation. We will achieve this by having effective and rigorous safeguarding policies, practices, and procedures and by following all relevant local, national and international guidance and regulation.
Our safeguarding policies and practices are reviewed every year to ensure that they remain relevant and effective.
All concerns raised or reported are shared with CSW at a senior executive level, reported to the trustee safeguarding lead, investigated thoroughly, and action taken in line with CSW’s policies.
## Environmental impacts
CSW recognises that we need to be good stewards of creation and that many of the communities we serve are already being affected negatively by the climate emergency, the competition for resources and other environmental factors.
A working group of staff and trustees are tasked with identifying the charity's environmental impacts and consider ways to reduce these. Work is underway to understand the full extent of CSW’s environmental impact (such as use of energy and consumables, transport etc) and mitigating factors are being introduced to reduce that impact.
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**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
## Gathering evidence. Exposing injustice.
**Through in-depth research and advocacy, CSW compiles and analyses evidence of freedom of religion or belief violations, raises awareness, calls on nations where violations occur to uphold this right in accordance with international, national or constitutional obligations, and urges other members of the international community to hold them accountable. Our teams regularly visit the countries we work on to gather first-hand evidence of FoRB violations, which is also supplied by our offices in two regions.**
## **Our research and analysis are accessed by the media, politicians, policymakers and international institutions around the world.**
Fact-finding research assignments to the countries on which we work continue to provide the foundation for our advocacy, however we also prioritise innovative methods of gathering evidence, including effective use of emerging technology. CSW relies on a global network of partners formed over many years, enabling us to continue exposing the injustices faced by many religious, belief and ethnic communities, and to disseminate this information, including by organising, chairing, co-hosting or contributing expert testimony to webinars on thematic or country FoRB-related issues.
In addition to the regular briefings, reports and case summaries we would normally produce in a given year, we have also gathered evidence on emerging global challenges, from civil conflicts to nationwide crackdowns on citizens.
## North Korea: We cannot look away
North Korea is often viewed with curiosity; a mysterious country that few get to visit. Even fewer get to really see what goes on behind the Kim Dynasty curtain. This creates genuine interest in the unknown, but with this fascination comes a danger of dehumanising the people that live there under constant fear and tyranny.
In 2024, we launched a new report on North Korea, _We Cannot Look Away_ , highlighting the human cost of the crimes committed in the most closed, isolated and repressive country in the world.
_We Cannot Look Away_ was commissioned to mark ten years since the landmark United Nations Commission of Inquiry (COI) report. The COI report found evidence of ‘unspeakable atrocities’ against the North Korean people, and played a crucial role in bringing human rights violations into
_Illustration: Emily Paik_
conversations about North Korea – broadening the narrow focus of previous conversations on nuclear proliferation.
Ten years since this landmark report – 25 years since our research began – the human rights situation in North Korea remains one of the worst in the world.
It is a challenging and complicated context to work in. Political will, public attention and resources are understandably drawn to other crises, like those in Palestine, Syria and Ukraine. But we remain committed to pursuing justice for the people of North Korea.
We have seen and confirmed without doubt that crimes against humanity are occurring in North Korea. The threats are particularly real for religious groups, especially Christians who are forced to operate in total secrecy and face imprisonment, torture, re-education if they are caught practising their faith.
We cannot look away.
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**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
## **Advocacy in action:**
In September 2024, high level members of the Korean government attended our launch event in Seoul, as did a number of influential civil society organisations. We met with North Korean refugees, and also held meetings with the Ministry of Unification, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the British embassy.
Our advocacy did not stop there. The CSW team continued to bring our research, analysis and recommendations from the report into corridors of power around the world, including at the United Nations and European Union.
## **UK government:**
- There was a strong turnout for Members of Parliament at the UK launch of the report in October 2024. We are grateful to supporters in the UK who emailed their MPs.
## **Press and Media:**
- At least 17 different media outlets covered our report. Our CEO Scot Bower had an article published by Christian Today, while our lead advocate for North Korea was interviewed on UK and US radio and TV, including CBN News, Premier and UCB.
## **United Nations:**
- In November 2024, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention adopted an opinion on the case of Kim Cheol-ok. She is a North Korean refugee who was sent back to North Korea from China in 2023. We submitted her case to the group in January 2024 and have been advocating consistently ever since.
## **European Union**
- Following three days of advocacy, the two largest groups in the European Parliament accepted our findings from the report, and included four of our individual cases in a European Parliament resolution on North Korea. Two weeks later, the largest group in the parliament also proposed an Urgency Resolution on the issues and cases we raised, for the December plenary session (ultimately not selected by the Conference of Presidents). The Chair of the European Parliament Delegation to the Korean Peninsula, Cesar Luena MEP, also agreed to address a written question on the issues and cases, to the EU’s chief diplomat.
_CSW would like to formally acknowledge the individual supporters and organisations who have generously funded this report. Two of these are the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy and Stefanus Alliance International._
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**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
## The Disappeared: Out of sight, but not out of mind
_‘It's terrible to be taken and killed or unjustly put in prison. But to be disappeared is to be left with this big question mark... With a disappearance, there's always a possibility that they're alive.’_
Across the world, people are being disappeared because of their religion or belief. When someone is disappeared – such as a pastor or human rights defender – they may be detained somewhere, without charge or trial, but their whereabouts are unknown.
It is a tactic used by governments as well as armed groups - a way of targeting not just
one person, but also their extended family, their loved ones or even their entire community. If people are disappearing, it puts everyone on alert that they could be next. And all the unknowns can cause huge emotional stress and trauma to those who are trying to find them, who don’t know whether to believe the worst, or hope for the best.
In 2025, CSW launched the Disappeared campaign, highlighting cases of enforced disappearance in some of the countries we work on, including China, Eritrea, Laos, Nicaragua and North Korea.
Cases like Carmen and Lesbia, two religious leaders in Nicaragua who were detained on 10 August 2024 and haven’t been seen or heard from since. They are believed to be being held in the La Esperanza Prison in Managua Department. Neither woman has committed any crime, yet they have been treated as criminals for serving their communities through the Roman Catholic Church, inspired by their faith.
It is part of the Nicaraguan government’s continued onslaught against religious leaders, human rights defenders, and other independent voices, as detailed in CSW’s 2025 report, _Total Control: the eradication of independent voices in Nicaragua._
CSW’s supporters have joined our call for the Nicaraguan government to provide an urgent proof of life for Carmen and Lesbia and to free them immediately and without condition. So far, 300 MPs have been emailed about Carmen and Lesbia’s case; some of them multiple times. Meanwhile, CSW’s advocates continue to gather evidence and raise their case, and many others, with national and international authorities.
To complement the campaign, CSW produced a compelling video, _The Disappeared_ , which explains enforced disappearance, and highlights the plight of people who have been disappeared and the toll on their families and communities. The film has been shown in churches and received over 1,200 views on YouTube so far.
## A dive into the educational landscape of Pakistan: trends, challenges and solutions
The promotion and defence of FoRB is not only about legal protections, but also about the everyday realities people face. This includes what children are taught in schools and how they experience discrimination in educational settings on account of their religion or belief, the main theme of our 2018 report and campaign, _Faith and a Future_ .
In 2025, CSW and The Cecil and Iris Chaudhry Foundation (CICF) collaborated on a report that examines Pakistan’s language and social studies curricula, showing how education policy, curriculum development and textbook production intersect with the everyday experiences of religious minorities in Pakistan. _A Dive into the Education Landscape of Pakistan 2025_ is a meticulous analysis that exposes how religious bias, historical distortions, and discriminatory narratives are embedded in classrooms.
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## **CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
One of the most notable findings of this research is how common religious content is in subjects where it is not contextually relevant, with textbooks in Urdu, English, Pakistan Studies, History, Social Studies, and General Knowledge containing Islamic teachings, Quranic verses, and moral lessons rooted in Islamic scriptures. For students belonging to religious minority communities, this is a violation of their constitutional right under Article 22 (1) of Pakistan’s constitution.
The report also uncovered multiple instances of biased, exclusionary and discriminatory language when religious minorities are depicted in the curriculum; in other instances, their contributions to Pakistan’s developments in various fields are ignored entirely. This often sits alongside a gender bias in the curriculum. Researchers also found regional variations in ideological content in the curriculum and that these biases persist despite government attempts at reform over the years.
‘If we are to build a Pakistan that truly embodies justice, equality and peace, we must begin by reforming what we teach our children. Education should enlighten, not indoctrinate; it should empower every child to see themselves as valued, equal participants in our shared future.’
Pakistan’s failure to comply with its own laws and international commitments is outlined in detail. The report also points to a practical path forward based on local context and global best practices, towards an education system that respects diversity, protects minority rights, and nurtures a generation of students who will shape a more inclusive and equitable society in Pakistan.
_A Dive into the Education Landscape of Pakistan 2025_ is both a body of evidence and a call to action for policymakers, educators, civil society, and international actors committed to upholding human rights, constitutional guarantees, and fair and inclusive education.
CSW extends our thanks and commendation to The Cecil & Iris Chaudhry Foundation (CICF), as well as the researchers, authors and content analysts of this report, for their dedication and contributions.
**Michelle Chaudhry (President, CICF)**
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**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
## Equipping policymakers. Calling for change.
## **At the heart of everything CSW does is the pursuit of justice for victims of violations, and the protection of their fundamental rights. We challenge the laws, behaviours and policies which lead to the abuse of the right to freedom of religion or belief, making concrete recommendations for change. We work to hold governments accountable to their responsibility to respect, protect, and fulfil this right for all citizens.**
For over 40 years CSW has raised awareness about freedom of religion or belief around the world and advocated for this right nationally and internationally, including with the governments of the UK and the US, with the European Union and at the United Nations.
## UK Government: Briefing Parliamentarians
In 2024, CSW welcomed the appointment of David Smith MP as the UK Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief and has continued to work closely with him as he focuses on his strategic priorities in post. We continue to brief parliamentarians on FoRB issues and cases, and to engage with All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) including the APPG for International Freedom of Religion or Belief (APPG-FoRB) and APPG North Korea, among others. CSW also shares our research with officials at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and UK embassies worldwide.
CSW’s Founder President, Mervyn Thomas CMG, continues to play a pivotal role in advocacy for freedom of religion or belief in the UK and globally. Appointed as Chair of the UK FoRB Forum, he works closely with the UK Special Envoy and is actively involved in the International Freedom of Religion or Belief Alliance, contributing to the global advancement of freedom of religion or belief.
## European Union: Spotlight on a conflict ‘marked by insidious disregard for human life’
For almost 30 years CSW has maintained an advocacy office in Brussels to advocate at the European Union (EU), promote FoRB as a key human right and draw attention to human rights violations internationally. CSW’s engagement at the European Union is a key strand of our public affairs work.
Against the backdrop of Sudan’s brutal civil conflict, and the potential impact that further international sanctions could make for the future of the country, CSW took several steps encouraging the EU in this direction. First, we were involved in initiating a parliamentary question which was co-signed by MEPs from multiple groups, confirming their position in favour of sanctions on both military leaders; secondly, we wrote a blog piece explaining the strategic rationale of this, which we distributed widely; and thirdly, within a European Parliament Urgency Resolution on Sudan, we made the case for including specific reference to sanctions on the military leaders, which was ultimately included. Finally, we called for a hearing on Sudan at the European Parliament Human Rights Subcommittee (DROI), scheduled for September 2025 with CSW’s Sudan expert provisionally invited to be an expert panellist.
Sudan’s civilians continue to bear the brunt of violence ‘marked by an insidious disregard for human life,’ with at least 150,000 people killed in the conflict between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), headed by General Abdel Fattah al Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF, formerly the Janjaweed militia) led by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti. The violence began just days before they were due to merge as part of a planned transition to democracy.
In the time since then, it is Sudan’s civilians who have suffered most, bearing the brunt of air strikes and some of the gravest crimes under international law.
At CSW’s recommendation, for the first time multiple major groups in the European Parliament called for sanctions explicitly on both Burhan and Hemedti.
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**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
## At the United Nations: Calling the world to action.
CSW gained the highly acclaimed UN ECOSOC Special Consultative Status in 2017, in recognition of our specialist expertise on the right to freedom of religion or belief and valuable contributions to the UN in this field. This gives us a critical platform to raise awareness of those marginalised and targeted on account of their religion or belief, and to hold world leaders accountable for protecting and upholding this fundamental freedom.
CSW has a full-time staff member dedicated to engagement with United Nations human rights mechanisms.
Between April 2024 and March 2025, we were able to travel to Geneva for three sessions of the Human Rights Council (HRC), in June and September 2024 and in March 2025. Face-to-face advocacy continues to facilitate a depth of discussion that is not otherwise possible.
Providing strong recommendations to improve the situation of FoRB in country-specific contexts is important in our UN work. The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process, a State-to-State peer-review process by which every UN member state has its human rights record reviewed in approximately four and a half year cycles is one such opportunity. In the reporting period, CSW made submissions on FoRB in Egypt, Iraq, Türkiye and Iran, among others.
CSW also contributed to interactive dialogues on countries of concern, including on Colombia, Myanmar and the Central African Republic, in addition to submitting written statements on countries and individual cases of people experiencing FoRB violations.
We also made a submission in response to a call for input into the UN Special Rapporteur on FoRB’s 2025 report to the UN General Assembly on FoRB, migrants, internally displaced persons and refugees.
## **Bringing our expertise**
In 2024/25 our specific expertise continued to set us apart at the UN, as one of the leading voices on the right to freedom of religion or belief globally; for example, we co-sponsored and spoke at a side event on the situation for human rights in Eritrea, marking the 10th anniversary since the first report of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) on Eritrea was published.
We shared our experience and expertise with human rights defenders, training and equipping them to engage directly with the UN system and its mechanisms.
The status also enables us to provide those marginalised on account of their religion or belief with an international platform. For example, we hosted several delegations and side events at the UN, enabling HRDs and religious leaders who have experienced violations first hand to give testimony at the UN.
There are many more ways our accreditation has enabled us to advance our work, even if not every achievement can be shared publicly.
Although we may not always see the long-term change we desire in every case or country, each interaction at the UN helps build momentum and is a vital step towards ensuring freedom of religion or belief for all.
Our team continues to make use of every opportunity to protect, promote and uphold the right to freedom of religion or belief on the international stage.
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Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
## Empowering communities and individuals
CSW continues to pursue a holistic approach to advocacy which places the survivor at the centre of our response. This has always included detailed research and targeted advocacy, and is supplemented with limited aid and emergency relief when appropriate. Since 2022, in response to unaddressed and continuing trauma experienced by many of the individuals and communities our team encounters, CSW has formulated and delivered bespoke psychosocial support programmes in several countries.
It was a privilege to build on psychosocial workshops CSW has provided in regions of Africa and the Middle East, providing training on aspects of trauma and self-care, and to roll out more of this life-changing help in Colombia in 2024.
## Colombia: Psychosocial support
A five-day workshop was designed for both human rights defenders and those who have survived severe human rights violations. It is important to remember that those who defend human rights have also likely experienced trauma themselves, since they live in the same challenging context as those they are supporting.
At the beginning of the workshop, the participants were nervous and tense. Yet as the workshop progressed, a sense of fellowship developed. They felt increasingly free to speak openly, although some chose to share their stories privately or anonymously to CSW, because of the risks they face.
## **'A breath of fresh air’**
Pastor Jairo, whose name has been changed for his safety, is known as a highly dedicated religious leader. He has served his community for five years, without even taking a vacation.
The pastor said: ‘This workshop is like a breath of fresh air for me. I feel pressure from all sides. I have received practical and theoretical tools here, but I also feel important because you are listening to me… I didn’t know I had trauma and need help. I just felt pain and was directionless, but listening to this workshop, I realize I can heal. I feel hope.’
‘I didn’t know I had trauma and need help… but listening to this workshop, I realize I can heal.’
## **A violent context**
Among the 23 participants was one girl under the age of 18, and two women over 80 years old. The two most elderly participants were mourning the loss of their children due to Colombia’s complex internal conflict. The conflict dates back to 1958 and involves multiple far-left and far-right illegal armed groups, criminal groups and government forces. A peace agreement with the largest left-wing guerrilla group was approved by the Colombian Congress in November 2016.
However, a number of factors – including the slow and inconsistent implementation of the agreement – has meant that the situation for Colombians in many parts of the country is unchanged. Fear and violence remain, as illegal armed groups and criminal organisations have driven a new phase of the conflict. They hold significant influence over some parts of the country, vying for control. ‘As human rights defenders, we need this kind of training because there is so much violence and pain in our region, and we do not have clear tools to understand and support the victims.’
## **What is the impact on religious leaders?**
Religious leaders are not simply caught in the crossfire of those fighting for territorial control. They are directly targeted for their religious work and for supporting other victims. In some parts of the country, they are forbidden from moving freely in order to preach. Some are essentially held hostage – restricted to moving only 200 or 300 metres around their place of residence – which is typically next to their church. This limits them to ministering only to existing members of their congregations, and they are unable to evangelise or disciple new followers.
Churches are regularly subjected to extortion from armed groups on both the right and left, as well as organised criminal groups. Over the course of the conflict, thousands of religious leaders have been targeted for assassination for defying
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Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
these restrictions and continuing their work.
## **‘Restored by God’s grace’**
It was incredibly moving to hear that the knowledge and tools we provided have had a profound impact already: ‘When I arrived at this place, my life felt completely empty and hopeless; I thought there was no reason to live. But when the workshop began, everything changed. It turned my life around, and I leave here restored by God’s grace.’
## **Quotes from participants:**
‘I found freedom and received excellent guidance through this workshop. A thousand thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience with us. I felt like part of a family.’
‘We felt loved, well cared for, and understood. We are sure to apply this knowledge in our lives and use it to help those whom God brings into our paths.’
‘Thank you for dedicating your time and knowledge. Your training has equipped us with tools to keep moving forward amid the harsh conflict we are experiencing…’
‘I feel freer, happier, with more self-esteem and joy.’
‘Today I feel more equipped to continue the work of helping, comforting, and encouraging others to move forward on this path. I will pray to God for you, that He may help you continue bringing these workshops to many more in need.’
CSW expect to expand delivery of its psychosocial support programme to other countries and regions in the coming years.
_CSW would like to thank the Musk Burton Family Trust for making this training possible._
## Cuba: Pastor Lorenzo freed!
On Friday 17 January at 8am, Pastor Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo walked out of prison with a smile on his face and release papers in his hand. He was met at the gates by his wife Maridilegnis, son David and daughter Lorena. This was the family reunion we had all been waiting for since 11 July 2021, when the Cuban pastor was unjustly arrested for peacefully protesting.
On 11 July 2021, we watched live footage of Cubans peacefully taking to the streets and calling for change and freedom. Initial optimism soon turned to horror as Cuban president Miguel Diaz Canel called for the protestors to be met with violence, sent paramilitary groups out into the streets, and began arresting those protesting en masse.
CSW started to receive reports of the arbitrary detentions of religious leaders; Protestant, Roman Catholic, and those holding Afro-Cuban religious beliefs. We began the work of documenting the cases, tracing their whereabouts, and establishing contact with their families.
While most detained religious leaders were released within a matter of days or weeks, Pastor Lorenzo was transferred to a maximum-security prison. He was clearly being targeted for his independent church leadership, and this was not the first time. In 2009, the family home (which also served as their church) was confiscated.
His release from prison on 17 January 2025 was part of an agreement negotiated by President Joe Biden, the Vatican and the Cuban government. Afro-Cuban Yoruba religious leader, Donaida Pérez Paseiro was also set free. Unfortunately, on 11 June, Donaida Pérez Paseiro travelled to the prison where her husband Loreto Hernández García is currently being held,
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Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
## **CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
having been led to believe that he was to be released. Instead, she was warned that if she continued to make public statements critical of the government, she would be re-imprisoned as well. Ms Pérez Paseiro stated her intention to stay there, and was subsequently arrested. CSW continues to conduct international advocacy on their cases.
## **‘I could not have done it alone’**
Pastor Lorenzo’s case is also not over. Although he is out of prison and with his family, they are under intense pressure to leave Cuba and go into exile. His ability to work as a pastor will be restricted as the government continues to fear his influence. He has already been subjected to harassment and threats from Cuban security officials, who are trying to intimidate and socially isolate him.
However, Pastor Lorenzo and his family understand something that the Cuban government cannot: they know they are not and will never be alone.
CSW is grateful to our supporters for their steadfast solidarity with Pastor Lorenzo and his family, for their prayers throughout his detention, especially when he was held incommunicado and subject to inhumane treatment, and for those who joined us in protests outside the Cuban embassy in London - and watched as they pushed our torn-up petition back out from under the door. We are especially grateful for their provision for our work through their generous gifts.
Pastor Lorenzo gave us a message to pass on:
‘You are very good brothers and great friends… I could not have done it alone, thank you, thank you. I am actually crying at these moments of so much joy, remembering all the work that you have done and are doing in our favour. THANK YOU and thank you LORD.’
## **A snapshot of our collective action:**
## **Public campaigning**
The Cuban Ambassador in the UK received over 5,000 emails about the case, and we held two protests outside the Cuban Embassy in London.
## **In the media**
Pastor Lorenzo’s case was covered in over 27 different media outlets using our case materials. His story has been told across blogs, TV interviews, podcasts and radio interviews.
## **UK Parliament**
As a result of our advocacy, the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief published a statement condemning the Cuban government’s targeting of religious leaders, including Pastor Lorenzo.
The Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, wrote to Pastor Lorenzo on Human Rights Day 2024. He expressed the UK government’s solidarity and continued commitment to advocating for the pastor’s release.
## **The United States**
After we briefed staff on his case, Pastor Lorenzo was added to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom’s (USCIRF) FoRB Victims List.
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Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
## **United Nations**
We raised his case regularly at the UN, including giving a statement at the Human Rights Council calling for Pastor Lorenzo’s unconditional release.
## **Europe**
We briefed European diplomats, which led to the EU Delegation raising Pastor Lorenzo’s case directly with the Cuban authorities. The Embassy of the Netherlands also later hosted David (Pastor Lorenzo’s son) at a meeting with European diplomats.
It took 1,286 days to free Pastor Lorenzo. CSW will continue speaking out for other people around the world facing FoRB violations until they see freedom and justice.
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Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
## Financial Review
## Overview
The 2024–25 financial year was a period of growth and restoration for CSW. Our bold and unwavering commitment to global development was supported by an 11% increase in income compared to 2023–24.
In 2023–24, income levels proved insufficient to meet expenditure. However, the measures introduced during that year were sustained throughout 2024–25, resulting in stronger financial performance. As a result, our financial position was stabilised, and our reserves were restored to £89k above the minimum level required under our reserves policy.
Individual donations increased by 11%, while legacy income rose by 7%, both contributing significantly to our overall income growth.
The proportion of income from institutional grants grew from 16% in 2023–24 to 18% in 2024–25. At the same time, grant income from trusts and foundations declined from 7% to 4%. Overall, the proportion of total income derived from grants decreased slightly from 23% to 22%.
Unrestricted donations represented 74% of total income (2022–23: 73%), which is broadly consistent with previous years. However, we anticipate some year-on-year decline in future periods.
The leadership also took the decision to designate £103k of previously undesignated funds (2023–24: £103k) to international development. This aligns with our strategy of global regionalisation, a key priority that will be advanced when unrestricted funding levels allow.
Total expenditure for the year was £2,431k, representing a 1% increase on the prior year (2023–24: £2,398k). This modest rise reflects the cost-saving measures and sacrifices implemented during 2024–25, which were instrumental in restoring the organisation’s financial balance.
## How we raised funds
CSW is only able to collect crucial evidence of FoRB violations, advocate in places such as the UN and provide practical and emotional support to victims because of the generosity of its supporters. Each year, individuals, congregations, trustees and heads of institutions make donations and grants to help people who are targeted for their beliefs. Without these gifts, CSW wouldn’t be able to help the thousands of people that we do each year.
We’re keen for supporters to understand the difference their generosity makes, and we illustrated this through articles in our quarterly magazine, e-newsletters, thank you letters, meetings with church leaders and an online event. We also use videos and events to inform our supporters of the contexts and challenges faced by different religious minorities. For example, our Communications team produced videos on the FoRB situation in North Korea, which we used in speaking engagements. We provide many ways for supporters to update their communication preferences – it’s important to us that individuals receive the materials they want from us at a frequency that they’re happy with.
This year, our fundraising activities included direct mail and e-appeals and a matched giving campaign. One of our trustees took part in a sponsored half marathon, the Big Half, and raised over £2,500 for CSW. We submitted funding proposals and grant applications to individuals, trusts and institutions which, when successful, helped to fund research and advocacy work on specific countries, as well as vital trauma therapy for survivors of religious freedom violations. We continued to give talks about our work in churches across the country - including short tours to Belfast, Portstewart and Inverness - and presentations to law firms.
Our Fundraising team seek to observe the Fundraising Promise and adhere to the Fundraising Code of Practice and the guidance in the Chartered Institute of Fundraising’s _Treating Donors Fairly: Fundraising with donors in vulnerable circumstances_ . We always seek to ensure that individuals are fully aware and able to make donations before accepting them. We are signed up to the Fundraising Preference Service – one person contacted us through this platform requesting that we update our records following a loved one’s passing. We received no complaints about our fundraising this year.
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Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
Comparative income breakdown for 2024-25: Donations from Individuals 55%; Grants 22%; Donations from Trusts and Foundations 11%; Donations from Churches 4%; Legacies 5%.
## What we spent it on
Total unrestricted income of £1,759k and 672k of restricted income was spent across our three strategic charitable activities and on fundraising as follows: Research & Advocacy £1,601k (65.9%); Raising Awareness £638k (26.2%); Provision of Aid £4k (0.2%) and Raising Funds £188k (7.7%). In comparison, the 2023-24 spendings were as follows: Research & Advocacy £1,413k (58.9%); Raising Awareness £741k (30.9%); Provision of Aid £5k (0.2%) and Raising Funds £239k (10%).
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Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
The Research & Advocacy expenditure is split across our three regional teams in this order: Africa/Middle East £310k (26.4%), Americas £324k (27.6%), Asia £540k (46%). Comparative 2023-24 expenditures were: Africa/Middle East £321k (27%), Americas £314k (26%), Asia £559k (47%).
## Reserves policy and position
The Trustees (at meetings of the Executive Committee) regularly review and update the reserves policy, following continual review of the reliability of our income streams, our commitment to future expenditures, and the risks we face as a fully non-trading charity.
Our approved reserves policy aims to hold free reserves within the range of £380,000 to £480,000.
The lower end of the range is intended to provide sufficient reserves to cover 25% (three months’ worth) of budgeted payroll costs for the year ahead, in consideration of the company’s notice period to staff in case of winding up.
The upper end of the range is intended to cover 25% (three months’ worth) of our fixed core costs for the year ahead, comprising staff costs, office costs and contracted ancillary services.
The free reserves as of 31 March 2025 stood at **£469k** (2024: £322k), representing a position £89k above the lower end of our reserves policy range. The Board has been monitoring this position closely since October 2023 and has approved a 2025–26 budget designed to sustain reserves and ensure continued progress towards the agreed policy range.
## Investment policy
Under its Memorandum and Articles of Association, the charity (through its trustees) has the power to invest in such stocks, shares, investments, and property in the UK as deemed fit. The charity currently holds only deposit investments, and no social investments.
The trustees, having regard to the company’s liquidity requirements have operated a policy of investing surplus funds in appropriate interest-bearing deposits at the optimum market rate (preferably exceeding inflation, as measured by the consumer prices index).
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Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
## **CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
In the reporting period, in order to increase our investment income, the company increased the number of interestbearing deposits from two totalling £160k to three, totalling £255k.
Investment income of £15k (2023-24 - £13K) (all within the United Kingdom) was received in the period.
## Funds in deficit
All funds positions are shown in Notes 16 and 17 to this report.
Where expenditure on activities for which restricted funding has been received exceeds the restricted funds available, unrestricted funding is used to continue with the activities where they are part of our core charitable purpose. In 2023-24 the practice of treating this overspend as a transfer between funds was discontinued, and no funds were allowed to remain in a deficit position. The only transfers between funds in the current financial period were those required to eliminate the deficit funds balances at the beginning of the financial year.
## Financial Risk
Whilst the level of free reserves on 31 March 2025 is above the lower end of the Reserves Policy (£380k to £480k), the trustees are satisfied that the financial risk is under control and being addressed in a measured way.
## Auditors
Price Bailey LLP have expressed their willingness to continue as the auditors to our company, and a resolution to that effect was approved at the Annual General Meeting on 11 September 2024.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act relating to small companies.
The Trustees’ Report was approved by the Board of Trustees on 28 November 2025 and signed on their behalf by
## **Bill Lowe Chair of Trustees 28 November 2025**
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Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
## Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Christian Solidarity International
## **Opinion**
We have audited the financial statements of Christian Solidarity International (the ‘charitable company’) for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement and 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).
In our opinion, the financial statements:
- give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company’s affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;
- have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
- have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
## **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 financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the 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 the charitable company’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.
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 financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the trustees’ annual report. Our opinion on the 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 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 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.
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Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
## **Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006**
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
- the information given in the trustees’ report, which includes the directors’ report prepared for the purposes of company law, for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
- the directors’ report included within the trustees’ report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
## **Matters on which we are required to report by exception**
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report or the directors’ report included within the trustees’ report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
- adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
- the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
- certain disclosures of trustees’ remuneration specified by law are not made;
- we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
- the Trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies’ regime and take advantage of the small companies’ exemptions in preparing the directors’ report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.
## **Responsibilities of trustees**
As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement, the trustees (who are also the directors of the 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 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 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**
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.
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 is detailed below:
We obtained an understanding of the charitable company and the sector in which it operates to identify laws and regulations that could reasonably be expected to have a direct effect on the financial statements. We obtained our understanding in this regard through discussions with management, sector research and application of cumulative audit knowledge and experience.
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Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
## **CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
We determined the principal laws and regulations relevant to the charitable company in this regard to be those arising from the Companies Act 2006, Charities Act 2011, and the Charities SORP.
The risks were discussed with the audit team and we remained alert to any indications of non-compliance throughout the audit. We carried out specific procedures to address the risks identified. These included reviewing minutes of Trustee Board meetings; agreeing the financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation; enquiring of management, including those charged with governance.
To address the risk of management override of controls, we carried out testing of journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness. We also assessed management bias in relation to the accounting policies adopted and in determining significant accounting estimates.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all 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 for the audit of the financial statements is located 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 members in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. 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
Michael Cooper-Davis FCCA ACA (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of Price Bailey LLP 3rd Floor, 24 Old Bond St London W1S 4AP
Date: 9 December 2025
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Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
Statement of Financial Activities - Incorporating Income and Expenditure Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025
|||**Unrestricted Funds**|**Unrestricted Funds**|**Restricted**
**Funds**|**Total Funds**
**2024-25**|**Total Funds**
**2023-24**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||General|Designated||||
||**Note**|**£'000**|**£'000**|**£'000**|**£’000**|**£'000**|
||||||||
|**Income**|||||||
|**Donations and legacies**||1,774|50|106|1,930|1,769|
|**Investments: UK bank interest**||15|-|
-|
15|13|
|**_Charitable activities_**|||||||
|**Grants**||-|
-|
574|574|535|
|**Other resources**||57|-|
-|
57|10|
||||||||
|**Total income**||1,846
50
680
2,576
2,327|||||
|||188
-
188
239|||||
|**Expenditure**|||||||
|**_Raising funds_**|3||||||
||||||||
|**_Charitable activities_**|||||||
|**Provision of Aid**|4|-|
-|
4|4|5|
|**Raising Awareness**|5|600|38|-|
638|741|
|**Research and Advocacy**|6|906|23|672|1,601|1,413|
||||||||
|**Total expenditure**||1,694|61|676|2,431|2,398|
||||||||
|**Net income/(expenditure)**||152|(11)|4|145|(71)|
||||||||
|**Transfers between funds**|16,17|(6)||6|-|
-|
||||||||
|**Net movement in funds**||146|(11)|10|145|(71)|
||||||||
|**Funds brought forward at**
**1 April 2024**||259|115|186|560|631|
||||||||
|**Funds carried forward**
**at 31 March 2025**||405|104|196|705|560|
All the above results are derived from continuing activities.
All the recognised gains and losses are included in the above Statement of Financial Activities.
Movements in funds are disclosed above and in Notes 16 and 17 to the financial statements.
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Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
## Balance Sheet – As at 31 March 2025
|**Note**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible
12
**Current assets**
Debtors
13
Short-term deposits
Cash at bank and in hand
**Creditors:**amounts falling due within one year
14
**Net current assets**
**Total assets less current liabilities**
**Creditors:**amounts falling due after one year
15
**Net assets**
**Funds**
Unrestricted funds
_General funds_
_Designated funds_
Restricted
_Research and advocacy funds_|**2025**
**2024**
**£'000**
**£'000**
40
52|
|---|---|
||40
52
204
216
255
165
498
440|
||957
821
(292)
(313)|
||665
508|
||705
560
-
-|
||705
560|
||405
374
104
196
186|
||705
560|
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part XV of the Companies Act 2006, relating to small companies and were approved by the Board and signed on their behalf by:
**Bill Rockett Trustee 28 November 2025**
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Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
## Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended 31 March 2025
||**Note**||**2025**||**2024**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**£**||**£**||
|**Cashflows from operating activities:**||||||
|Net cash generated by operating activities|(i)||145||(76)|
|**Cash flows from investing activities**||||||
|Interest received|||15||13|
|Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets|||(12)||(8)|
|Proceeds on sale of tangible fixed assets|||-||1|
|Proceeds on sale of fixed asset investments|||-||-|
|**Cash provide by/(used in) investing activities**|||3||6|
|**Cash flows from financing activities**||||||
|**Net cash inflow**|||148||(70)|
|Cash and cash equivalents at 1 April 2024|||605||674|
|**Cash and cash equivalents at 31 March 2025**|||753||604|
|**Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities**||||||
|**Net (expenditure)/income**|||145||(71)|
|Interest paid shown in financing activities|||-||-|
|Interest received shown in investing activities|||(15)||(13)|
|Depreciation|||23||29|
|(Gain)/loss on disposal of tangible fixed assets|||-||-|
|Decrease/(Increase) in debtors|||13||(35)|
|Increase in creditors|||(21)||13|
|**Net cash generated by operating activities**|||145||(77)|
|**Analysis of changes in net debt**||||||
||||**2024**||**2023**|
||||**£**||**£**|
|Cash and cash equivalents at 1 April 2024|||604||674|
|Cashflows|||149||(70)|
|Other non-cash changes|||-||-|
|Cash and cash equivalents at 31 March 2025|||753||604|
|The notes on pages 29 to 45 form part of these financial statements.||||||
Page | 30
Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
## Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025
## Accounting Policies
The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation of uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:
## **1.1 Basis of preparation**
The financial statements have been prepared under the Companies Act 2006 and in accordance with the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and Financial Reporting Standard 102 (FRS 102). The financial statements are drawn up on the historical cost basis of accounting, as modified by the revaluation of investment properties and other investments. The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary accounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest thousand £.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide is a company limited by guarantee (No 1536426), a charity registered in England & Wales (No 281836) and meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.
## **Going concern**
After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The Trustees have considered the level of reserves alongside income trends, future plans for the Charity, the cash balances, and opportunities for future reductions in fixed costs, and are satisfied that the Charity can meet its commitments and liabilities as they fall due. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
## **1.2 Accrued staff holiday pay**
The year’s liability recognised for accrued staff holiday pay was £19k (2024: £13k).
## **1.3 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation**
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost or Trustees’ estimate of market value less depreciation. Only tangible fixed assets over £100 are capitalised. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives at the following rates:
- Furniture & Fittings/Office Equipment/Computers 33.3%
- Leasehold Improvements Over the period of the lease
- Computer Software 33.3%
## **1.4 Investments**
Investment assets are stated at market value at balance sheet date or the Trustees’ best estimate of market value at that date. The Statement of Financial Activities includes the net gains and losses on revaluations and disposals in the year.
Page | 31
Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
## Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 (cont.)
## **1.5 Debtors**
Grants receivable and other debtors are included at the settlement amount due. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid.
## **1.6 Cash at bank and in hand**
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of opening of the deposit.
## **1.7 Creditors and provisions**
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation arising 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 recognised at their settlement amount.
## **1.8 Financial instruments**
The charity only has financial assets and liabilities of the kind that qualify as basic financial instruments:
- Investments measured at their fair value as at the balance sheet date;
- Fixed assets are measured at amortised cost; and
- All other assets and liabilities are held at cost.
## **1.9 Income**
Voluntary income and donations (including legacies) are accounted for once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable the income will be received, and the amount of income receivable can be reliably measured. The income from fundraising is shown gross, with the associated costs included in fundraising costs. Where material assets are donated to the company for its use, these are capitalised at the estimated market value at the date of the gift and included under income. Assets given for distribution by the charity are received as income when distributed and stated in the accounts at the Trustees’ estimated market value at the time of receipt.
## **1.10 Expenditure and the basis of allocation of costs**
Expenditure is accrued as soon as a liability is considered probable, discounted to present value for longer term liabilities. The majority of costs are directly attributable to specific activities. Staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent by staff on each activity. Office costs, including rent of premises, are charged directly to the activity when incurred.
## **1.11 Support and governance costs**
Support costs comprise those costs which are incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objectives of the charity. They include governance cost, Finance/IT and office costs, depreciation of assets, audit fees, financial charges and loss or gain on currency revaluation.
Support costs include irrecoverable VAT.
Page | 32
Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
## Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 (cont.)
Support costs are allocated to each of the charitable activities on the consistent basis of staff time spent in supporting each activity in the year.
## **1.12 Value Added Tax**
Value Added Tax is not recoverable by the company, and as such is included in the relevant costs in the Statement of Financial Activities.
## **1.13 Fundraising costs**
These comprise the salaries of UK staff directly involved in promoting the charity and expenditure incurred in inducing people and organisations to contribute financially to the charity’s work. Also included are the costs of advertising and the staging of special fundraising events.
## **1.14 Grants Payable**
Grants payable are recognised in the year as they fall due to the recipient. In cases where the payment of the grant is conditional, such grants are included as expenditure when the conditions attaching are fulfilled. These grants are stated in the Notes to the Accounts as commitments at the year end. There were no such outstanding conditional payments at 31 March 2025.
## **1.15 Grants Receivable Contracts**
Grants are recognised as receivable restricted income on the date the contract agreement is signed where meeting the terms or conditions are within the charity’s control and there is sufficient evidence that they have been or will be met.
Where grant contract agreements contain certain conditions that specify the services to be performed in receipt of a grant, income is recognised to the extent that the charity has provided the specified good or services.
Outgoings are reflected as ‘Expenditure on Grants received’ (Note 6).
Any balance of restricted unspent grant (for spending in future years) reflects as restricted reserves (Note 17).
## **1.16 Costs of Governance of the charity**
Governance Costs include all direct expenditure of governance (Board Members’ expenses, audit fees, financial charges, exchange rate variances) and costs of governance-related international conferences and partners’ meetings. These have been allocated between fundraising costs and charitable activities according to staff time.
## **1.17 Fund accounting**
Funds held by the charity are:
- Unrestricted general funds – These are funds which can be used in accordance with the charity’s objects at
- the discretion of the Trustees.
- Designated funds – These funds are set aside by the Trustees for specific projects.
Page | 33
Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
## Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 (cont.)
� Restricted funds – These can only be used for particular purposes within the objects of the charity as they have been raised specifically for those purposes.
## **1.18 Foreign currency translation**
Foreign currency transactions are translated into the company’s records using the exchange rates prevailing on the dates the transactions occur; however, if the rates do not fluctuate significantly, an average rate for the period is used as an approximation. At the balance sheet date, all monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated using the rates of exchange ruling at that date. Exchange gains or losses arising are recognised as income or expenditure for the year.
## **1.19 Pensions**
The charity contributes to employees' personal pension plans. These are defined contribution schemes, the assets of which are held separately from those of the charity. Contributions are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on an accruals basis.
## **1.20 Operating leases**
Operating lease payments are recognised as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
## **1.21 Legacies**
Legacies are recognised at the earlier of actual receipt or on receipt of final estate accounts which confirm the charity’s entitlement to receive the legacy, the probability of receipt and provide an accurate measure of the legacy. If the legacy is in the form of an asset other than cash or an asset listed on a recognised stock exchange, recognition is subject to the value of the asset being able to be reliably measured and title to the asset has passed to Christian Solidarity Worldwide.
## **1.22 Judgements and key sources of uncertainty**
No judgements (apart from those involving estimates) have been made in the process of applying the above accounting policies.
The key assumptions concerning the future and key sources of estimation of uncertainty at the key reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year include:
- Estimation of the useful economic life of buildings, furniture and office equipment, and IT equipment.
Page | 34
Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
## Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 (cont.)
## 2. Income
|
**Donations and legacies**
Donations from Individuals
Donations from Trusts and Foundations
Donations from Churches
Legacies
**Charitable activities**
Government grants
Other grants|**Unrestricted Funds**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Total Funds**
**2024-25**
General
Designated
**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
1,352
-
71
1,423
191
50
35
276
102
-
-
102
129
-
-
129|
|---|---|
||1,774
50
106
1,930|
||-
-
463
463
-
-
111
111|
||-
-
574
574|
|**Donations and legacies**
Donations from Individuals
Donations from Trusts and Foundations
Donations from Churches
Legacies
**Charitable activities**
Government grants
Other grants|**Unrestricted Funds**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Total Funds**
**2023-24**
General
Designated
**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
1,223
-
60
1,283
107
115
24
246
118
-
-
118
121
-
-
121|
|---|---|
||1,569
115
84
1,768|
||-
-
370
370
-
-
165
165|
||-
-
535
535|
Government and other grants income relate to the conditions-fulfilled work on 13 grants (2023-24: 13) mainly on the defending and education, training and promotion of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) in 3 (2023-24: 3) regions in the world. There were no unfulfilled conditions in the incomes recognised.
The government grants were from 3 (2023-24: 3) government agencies in 2 (2023-24: 2) countries.
Page | 35
Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
## Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 (cont.)
## **Investment and other incomes**
|**Investments**
Interest from UK banks
**Other resources**|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**Designated**
**Funds**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Total Funds**
**2024-25**
**Total Funds**
**2023-24**
**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
15
-
-
15
13|
|---|---|
||57
-
-
57
10|
## 3. Raising funds
|Fundraising and sponsorship
Staff costs
Appeal costs (direct mail, trust applications, dinners)
Support and governance costs (apportioned per note 7)
Fundraising and Sponsorship
Staff costs
Appeal costs (direct mail, trust applications, dinners)
Support and governance costs (apportioned per note 7)|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**Designated**
**Funds**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Total Funds**
**2024-25**
**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
7
-
-
7
127
-
-
127
19
-
-
19|
|---|---|
||153
-
-
153
35
-
-
35|
||188
-
-
188|
||**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**Designated**
**Funds**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Total Funds**
**2023-24**
**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
9
32
-
41
138
-
-
138
22
-
-
22|
||169
32
-
201|
||38
-
-
38|
||207
32
-
239|
Page | 36
Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
## Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 (cont.)
## 4. Provision of aid
|Third Party Aid
Special (JR) Fund for the Persecuted|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2024-25**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2023-24**
**£'000**
**£'000**
2
2
2
3|
|---|---|
||4
5|
## 5. Raising awareness
|Staff costs
Office costs
Travel costs
Response magazine/website/leaflets
Campaigns, advertising and video/audio
Support and governance costs
(apportioned per note 7)
Staff costs
Office costs
Travel costs
Response magazine/website/leaflets
Campaigns, advertising and video/audio
Support and governance costs
(apportioned per note 7)|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**Designated**
**Funds**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Total Funds**
**2024-25**
**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
145
16
-
161
48
-
-
48
2
21
-
23
40
-
-
40
4
1
-
5|
|---|---|
||239
38
-
277
361
-
-
361|
||600
38
-
638|
||**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**Designated**
**Funds**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Total Funds**
**2023-24**
**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
188
34
-
222
39
-
-
39
-
14
-
14
54
-
-
54
25
1
-
26|
||306
49
-
355
386
-
-
386|
||692
49
-
741|
Page | 37
Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
## Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 (cont.)
## 6. Research and advocacy
|Staff costs
Office costs
Public Affairs advocacy campaigns
Travel costs
Advocacy, fact-finding, and research
Nigeria Partnership Support
Non-staff expenditure on grants received
Support and governance costs
(apportioned per note 7)|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**Designated**
**Funds**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Total Funds**
**2024-25**
**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
572
-
248
820
2
-
-
2
13
-
-
13
2
-
22
24
38
-
-
23
18
-
56
23
-
-
354
354|
|---|---|
||627
23
642
1,292
279
-
30
309|
||906
23
672
1,601|
The Directors have taken advantage of the exemption applicable to disclosure of grants to institutions and individuals on the grounds of serious prejudice, owing to the nature and location of the projects funded.
All the 13 (2023-24: 13) projects fall under this category.
|Staff costs
Office costs
Public Affairs advocacy campaigns
Travel costs
Advocacy, fact-finding, and research
Expenditure on grants received
Support and governance costs
(apportioned per note 7)|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**Designated**
**Funds**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Total Funds**
**2023-2024**
**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
405
2
-
-
170
-
575
2
13
-
-
13
14
-
4
18
134
-
88
222
-
-
265
265|
|---|---|
||568
-
527
1,095
297
-
21
318|
||865
548
1,413|
Page | 38
Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
## Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 (cont.)
## 7. Support costs
|Administrative costs
Depreciation of assets
(Gain)/Loss on sale of assets
Executive department costs
Board Members'/meeting expenses
Audit fee
Financial charges
Conferences and International Partners' Meetings
(Gain)/Loss on currency revaluation
Fundraising and advertising
Raising awareness
Research and advocacy|**Support costs**
**Governance**
**costs**
**£'000**
**£'000**
398
-
23
-
-
-
241
-
-
-
-
22
-
12
-
3
-
6|**2024-25**
**£'000**
398
23
-
240
-
22
12
3
6|
|---|---|---|
||662
43|705|
|||35
361
309|
|||705|
|Administrative costs
Depreciation of assets
(Gain)/Loss on sale of assets
Executive department costs
Board Members'/meeting expenses
Audit fee
Financial charges
Conferences and International Partners' Meetings
(Gain)/Loss on currency revaluation
Fundraising and advertising
Raising awareness
Research and advocacy|**Support costs**
**Governance**
**costs**
**£'000**
**£'000**
401
-
29
-
-
-
265
-
-
3
-
18
-
13
-
2
-
11|**2023-2024**
**£'000**
401
29
-
265
3
18
13
2
11|
|---|---|---|
||695
47|742|
|||38
386
318|
|||742|
Note: Executive salaries previously classified as Governance Costs have been reclassified into Administrative costs and Advocacy costs.
Page | 39
Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
## Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 (cont.)
## 8. Net income/(expenditure) for the year is stated after charging/(crediting)
|Depreciation
Loss on sale of assets
Trustees' Indemnity Insurance
Auditors’ remuneration
Operating lease - Land & Building
Operating leases - Plant & Machinery
Loss/(Gain) on currency revaluation|**2024-25**
**2023-24**
**£'000**
**£'000**
23
29
-
-
-
2
22
18
67
67
2
3
6
11|
|---|---|
## 9. Taxation
The charity is exempt from corporation tax as all its income is charitable and all is applied for charitable purposes.
## 10. Analysis of staff costs
|Salaries
Social security costs
Pension contributions
The average number of employees during the year (period) was:
Executive
People & Culture
Advocacy
Communications
Finance|**2024-25**
**2023-24**
**£'000**
**£'000**
1,337
1,324
101
101
117
138|
|---|---|
||1,555
1,563|
||**2024-25**
**2023-24**
2
3
1
1
19
22
8
9
5
4|
||35
39|
The actual number of paid staff working as at 31 March 2025 was 35 (2024: 38).
The number of employees whose total employee benefits excluding pensions contributions exceeded £60,000 in the 15 months’ reporting was:
|||**2024-25**|**2023-24**|
|---|---|---|---|
|Between £60,000|and £70,000|1|2|
|Between £70,001|and £80,000|2|-|
|Between £80,001|and £90,001|-|1|
|Between £90,001|and £100,000|-|-|
If annualised, only one (1) employee’s benefits was between £60k-70k and two (2) employee's benefits between £70k80k. Pensions contributions for higher paid employees totalled £49k (2023-24: £23k).
Page | 40
Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
## Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 (cont.)
## Pensions Costs
The charity operates a defined contribution pension plan for its employees.
Eligible staff members are auto enrolled into the group pension scheme into which all contributions due from the charity in the current and preceding years were duly settled.
## Volunteers
Six (2023-24: ten) unremunerated volunteers rendered about 306 (2023-24: 236) workdays in three (2023-24: three) departments of the company.
## Key Management Personnel
The charity considers its key management personnel to be its trustees and the members of the Strategic Leadership Team (SLT).
The total employee benefits of the Key Management Personnel of the charity as listed on page 1 were £490k (2023-24: £551k).
## 11. Related Party Transactions
The Trustees are not remunerated. £54 (2023-24: £1k) was reimbursed to 1 (2023-24: 4) director for travel and expenses incurred for Board meetings.
A total of unrestricted and unconditional donations of £123k (2023-24: £133k) was received from seven (2023-24: seven) trustees in the year.
About £1k (2023-24: £1k) which would otherwise have been reimbursed to the Directors (for travelling to speaking engagements and seven trustee meetings) was waived by those Directors.
There were no other related-party transactions in the year (and there were also no other related-party transactions in 2024-25).
Page | 41
Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
## Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 (cont.)
## 12. Tangible fixed assets
||**_Furniture_**|**_Computer_**|**_Office equip/_**|**_Leasehold_**||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**_and fittings_**|**_software_**|**_computers_**|**_improvements_**|**_Total_**|
||**£'000**|**£'000**|**£'000**|**£'000**|**£'000**|
|**Cost**||||||
|At 1st April 2024|17|2|79|159|257|
|Additions|-|-|12|-|12|
|Disposals|-|-|(3)|-|(3)|
|At 31st March 2025|17|2|88|159|266|
|**Depreciation**||||||
|At 1st April 2024|17|2|65|121|205|
|Charge for year|-|-|10|14|24|
|Released on disposals|-|-|(3)|-|(3)|
|At 31st March 2025|17|2|72|135|226|
|**Net book value**||||||
|At 31st March 2025|-|-|16|24|40|
|At 31st March 2024|-|-|14|38|52|
## 13. Debtors
|Grants receivable
Other debtors
Prepayments|**2025**
**2024**
**£'000**
**£'000**
41
1
122
132
41
83|
|---|---|
||204
216|
Page | 42
Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
## Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 (cont.)
## 14. Creditors
## **Amounts falling due within one year:**
|Trade creditors
Other taxes and social security
Deferred grants income
Other creditors
Accruals and provisions|**2025**
**2024**
**£'000**
**£'000**
7
48
39
21
217
209
4
3
25
32|
|---|---|
||292
313|
## **b) Deferred income reconciliation**
|Balance brought forward
Amount recognised in the year
Amount returned to funder in the year
Amount deferred in the year
**Balance carried forward**|**2025**
**2024**
**£'000**
**£'000**
209
237
(494)
(370)
5
(64)
497
406|
|---|---|
||217
209|
Page | 43
Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
## Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 (cont.)
## 15. Net assets
|||**_Net current_**|**_Long-term_**||
|---|---|---|---|---|
||**_Fixed assets_**|**_assets_**|**_liabilities_**|**_2025 Total_**|
||**£'000**|**£'000**|**£'000**|**£'000**|
|Unrestricted funds - general|40|365|-|405|
|Unrestricted funds - designated for|||||
|international development|-|104|-|104|
|Restricted funds|-|196|-|196|
||40|665|-|705|
|||**_Net current_**|**_Long-term_**||
||**_Fixed assets_**|**_assets_**|**_liabilities_**|**_2024 Total_**|
||**£'000**|**£'000**|**£'000**|**£'000**|
|Unrestricted funds - general|52|322|-|374|
|Unrestricted funds - designated for|||||
|international development|-|-|-|-|
|Restricted funds|-|186|-|186|
||52|508|-|560|
## 16. Unrestricted funds
|Designated for international development
General
Designated for international development
General|**_Balance at_**
**_1.4.24_**
**_Income_**
**_Expenditure,_**
**_gains and_**
**_losses_**
**_Transfers_**
**_Balance at_**
**_31.03.25_**
**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
115
50
(61)
-
104
259
1,846
(1,694)
(6)
405|
|---|---|
||374
1,896
(1,755)
(6)
509|
||**_Balance at_**
**_1.1.23_**
**_Income_**
**_Expenditure,_**
**_gains and_**
**_losses_**
**_Transfers_**
**_Balance at_**
**_31.03.24_**
**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
81
115
(81)
(115)
-
456
1,592
(1,764)
90
374|
||537
1,707
(1,845)
(25)
374|
The management designated two donations from one trust of £50k in the year (2023-2024: two donations from two trusts of £115k) for international development, in pursuit of our global regionalisation strategy.
Page | 44
Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
## Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 (cont.)
## 17. Restricted funds
|**_Research and Advocacy_**
Asia
Africa/Middle East
Latin America
Others
Grants
Special Funds|**_Balance at_**
**_01.04.24_**
**_Income_**
**_Expenditure,_**
**_gains and_**
**_losses_**
**_Transfers_**
**_Balance at_**
**_31.03.25_**
**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
46
60
(34)
(1)
71
-
45
(10)
5
40
1
19
(6)
-
14
1
-
-
-
1
126
541
(626)
-
41
13
15
1
-
29|
|---|---|
||187
680
(675)
4
196|
‘Grants’ represents restricted activities on the defending and education, training and promotion of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) in three (2023-24: three) regions in the world.
‘Special Funds’ represents a special relief fund disbursed to persecuted Christians as deemed appropriate.
The transfers from general funds were made to meet expenditures which exceeded restricted donations, where the directors were not confident that future receipts will cover these deficits.
|**_Research and Advocacy_**
Asia
Africa/Middle East
Latin America
Others
Grants
Special Funds|**_Balance at_**
**_01.01.23_**
**_Income_**
**_Expenditure,_**
**_gains and_**
**_losses_**
**_Transfers_**
**_Balance at_**
**_31.03.24_**
**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
**£'000**
45
51
(54)
3
46
(1)
19
(31)
13
-
(2)
5
(6)
4
1
1
-
-
-
1
45
530
(455)
6
126
5
15
(7)
(1)
12|
|---|---|
||94
620
(553)
25
186|
## 18. Share Capital
The company is limited by guarantee and therefore has no share capital.
The company had fifteen members at the end of the year (2023-24: seventeen).
Each member is under covenant to contribute a sum not exceeding twenty-five pence under certain circumstances as set out in Clause 6 of the Memorandum of Association.
Page | 45
Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
**CSW Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25**
## Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 (cont.)
## 19. Operating Leases
The total future minimum lease payments that are payable under non-cancellable operating leases are:
|Land & Building:
Within one year
After one year but within five years
Plant & Machinery:
Within one year
After one year but within five years
The operating lease charges for the year were:
Land & Building
Plant & Machinery|**2024-25**
**2023-24**
**£'000**
**£'000**
67
67
50
117
1
1
-
1|
|---|---|
||118
186|
||67
67
2
3|
||69
70|
Page | 46
Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25
CSW is a human rights organisation for freedom of religion or belief. As Christians we stand with everyone facing injustice because of their religion or belief.
T +44 (0)20 8329 0010 PO Box 99 @CSWadvocacy New Malden /CSWUK Surrey, KT3 3YF csw.org.uk United Kingdom CSW is a human rights organisation for freedom of religion or belief. As Christians we stand with everyone facing injustice because of their religion or belief.