THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI
TRUSTEES REPORT
Structure, Governance & Management in Northern Ireland
The charity was established in Northern Ireland under a trust deed dated 4 January
2010.
The tnjstees are assisted in the planning of the programme of activities by an
Extended Focolare group.
Cbaritable Status
The Trust has been accepted as a charity for tax purposes by the Inland Revenue. The
HMRC reference number is: _
XT21933
The Trust has been registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland from
nd
2 June 2015 under the Charity number:_
NIC102512
Statement of Compliance
In setting our objectives and planning our activities for the year the trustees have
given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's
guÈdance on public benefit to ensure that the activities have helped to achieve the
charity's purposes and provide a benefit to the beneficiaries.
Principal Activities
The Focolare Movement is an international organization, which started in Italy in
1943 and is active in all five continents. It is an ecclesial movement, open to
collaborate with people of all faiths or without a faith background. Its specific aim is
to contribute to establishing unity in all areas and spheres of life by working to fulfil
the words of the Gospel "May they all be one" (Jn 17.21). The General Headquarters
of the Focolare Movement are in Rome and the movement operates through "regional
areas" which support each other through an international sharing of goods and
resources.
In Northern Ireland, the Focolare supports community building between people from
different cultural and faith baCk￿Oll￿ds and seeks to equip people with skills for
building peace and reconciliation.
Focolare in Northern Ireland is also closely linked in its activities to the Focolare in
the Republic of Ireland and co-organizes island-wide events. Focolare Centres are
situated in Belfast, Dublin and County Kildare, promoting and coordinating Focolare
life and acting as activity hubs for the wider local community.

THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI
As part of a commitment to evangelize, first and foremost themselves, through these
centres, leafiets with a commentary on the monthly "Word of Life" and a related daily
motto on social media are produced and distributed throughout Ireland and forn] the
basis for actions and sharing of experiences of God's Word lived.
The animators of The Focolare Trust NI, who meet on a regular basis to focus on the
forniation of their members, help to promote unity in the family, in youth life, in the
workplace and fonn people to become builders of a society based on mutual love and
respect. This involves working on projects related to providing courses or actions
which promote fai￿ friendship and understanding between different Christian
denominations, interfaith and intercultural dialogue, parenting, fundraising and other
topics relevant to the needs of society.
Since the pandemic the meetings of Focolare can be either face-to-face or hybrid
which has the advantage of allowing more people to take part.
Members of Focolare in Northern Ireland are actively involved in the international
project #dareto&qre, an international campaign that promotes active involvement wi
and appreciation of, the most vulnerable in society and commitment to the health of
the planet by having care as the guiding principle of action. This project is linked to a
social media platforn] on: bttp:/lwWw.unitedworldproj￿t.0T￿¢n/dar¢to¢ar¢I
An infornial walking group inspired by the values of FocoIare and open to everyone
meets on a monthly basis. Walks and picnics are organised to engage with people
from different cultural backgrounds to get to know one another and to foster a spirit of
sharing, friendship and belonging. This group is expanding its outreach to asylum
seekers and migrants.
Members of Focolare Northern Ireland have established a group called "Dialogue for
Africa" in which Focolare members from the island of Ireland and the continent of
Africa engage in a mutual getting to know each other and building relationships. They
meet on a bi-monthly basis via zoom and getting to know one another is mutually
enriching. Through this group, financial support has also been given to Focolare
projects in Afric￿ such as the project: "Kindergarten" in Bobo Dioulasso (Burkina-
Faso). On their own initiative, members of this group raise money to support these
and other projects.
Members of Focolare Northern Ireland continue to support the Focolare EcoPlan
which aims to promote concrete actions for the healing and protection of people and
planet.
Focolare EcoPlan- a powerful initiative - Focolare Movement
Members are also committed as Laudato Si animators and take part in activities at
national and European level.
Members of Focolare in Northern Ireland are actively involved in their churches and
local communities (for example in A￿0y, Lurgan, Denyl Londonderry, Coleraine
and Belfast) to build bridges across communities and offer their service as an
expression of their commitment to live out the Gospel's message of "May they all be

THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI
one" (Jn 17.21). This rdnges from working together to support re￿geeS to working
with youth groups, parish and diocesan groups and university chaplaincies.
Focolare NI participates in the national Inter-church Meeting and in the last year was
invited to the General Assemblies of the n￿1n Christian Churches in Ireland. We are
also taking part in the on-going synodal process of the Catholic Church.
The Focolare Trust NI actively promotes and practically supports various cross-
community initiatives that give a witness of different Cl]ristian denominations
working together, for example the "4 Corners Festival the "DOCK Café"
"Friendship club" or the "Week of prayer for Christian Unity" events.
Members of Focolare Northern Ireland also facilitate the sharing and redistribution of
goods to people in need.
Members of Focolare support other registered charities (for example "Embrace NI"
Youth Link Nl) to foster the aims of creating a rnore welcoming society for all,
especially for migrants, asylurn seekers and re￿gees.
On a monthly basis the Focolare Trust NI organizes friendship-dinners for people
from different backgrounds, Word of Life meetings, Women's lunch group and
meetings for clergy, all to foster a spirit of community and sharing.
The Focolare Trust NI facilitates participation at an international level by organising
and accompanying groups to international conferences and events with the aim of
developing skills in dialogue, exploring projects for "the common good" and
supporting fundraising activities for these goals, for example the Living Peace Project,
the United World Project, the ForniaT formation programme and the Together4
Europe project.

THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI
Financial Review
The Trustees have a procedure now in place to review the accounts and to forn]ally
draft a Reserves Policy appropriate to the needs and aims of the Trust going fonvard.
The charity's accounts will be prepared each year to 31 March. These accounts cover
the year to 31 March 2023 and sbow a surplus of £5.233
Risk Managen)ent
The Trnstees are aware of the risks to which the charity may be exposed. A fornial
risk assessment process and strategies for dealing with identified risk areas is being
forn￿liSed.
SIGNED:
Trustee
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SIGNED:
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Trustee