THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI
ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
MCDONALD O'NEILL & CO
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI
CONTENTS
PAGE
General Information
Trustees Report
Independent Examiner, s Report
Statement of Financial Activities
Balance Sheet
Notes to the Statement of Financial Activities
10- I I
McDonald O'Neill & Co.
Chartered Accountants

THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI
GENERAL INFORMATION
Trustees
Patricia O'Kelly
Gerry Burns
Irene Jovaras
Mary McKinley
Junita Majury
Emmanuel Robert McGivern
Administrative address
l O Harberton Drive
BELFAST
BT9 6PE
Northern Ireland
Accountants
McDonald O'Neill & Co.
Chartei'ed Accouiitants
5 Union Buildings
Union Place
DUNGANNON
Co. Tyrone
BT70 1 DL
Bankers
Ulster Bank
University Road Branch
91193 University Road
BELFAST
BT7 ING
Charity Number
NIC102512
Inland Revenue Tax Reference
XT21933
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THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI
TRUSTEES REPORT
Structure, Governance & Management in Northern Ireland
The charity was estsblished in Northern Ireland under a trust deed dated 4 January
2010.
The trustees are assisted in the planning of the programme of activities by an
Extended Focolare group.
Charitable 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
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
guidance on public benefit to eiisure that the activities have helped to achieve the
charity's purposes and provide a benefit to the beneficiaries.
Principal Activities
The focolare Moveinent is an international organization that began in Italy in 1943
and is now active on all five continents. As an ecclesial movement. it is open to
collaborating with people of all faiths or without any faith background. The
movement's core aim is to contribute to unity in all areas of life, guided by the gospel
message "May they all be one" (Jn 17.21). The headquarters are in Rocca di Papa
outside Rome, with operations managed through regional areas that support each
other througli the international sharing of goods and resources.
Activities in Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, the Focolare Trust supports community building among people
from diverse cultural and faith backgrounds. The spirituality of unity equips
individuals with skills for peacebuilding and reconciliation. Focolare Northern Ireland
is closely linked with its counterparts iii the Republic of Ireland, co-organizing island-
wide events. Focolare centres located in Belfast, Dublin, and Properpous, County
Kildare serve as hubs for promoting and coordinating Focolare life and activities
within the wider local community.
Focolare members are actively involved in their local churches and communities,
working to build bridges across communities and living out the gospel's message of
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THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI
unity. Their efforts range from supporting refugees to working with youth, parish and
diocesan groups and university chaplaincies.
th
In December 2023, the Focolare Movement celebrated its 80 anniversary. In Belfast
a catholic mass attended by members of several denominations, followed by a light
lunch was held in Holy Family Church on the Limestone Road.
An informal walking group inspired by Focolare values meets monthly to engage with
people from different cultural backgrounds, fostering friendship and belonging. This
group is expanding its outreach to asylum seekers and migrants through open
aftemoons and held an international cultural night in September 2023.
Formation and Promotion of Unity
Focolare, s commitment to evangelization begins with its own members. Through the
international centres, the organization produces and distributes leaflets with
commentary on the monthly "Word of Life" (a phrase from scripture to live by) and a
related daily motto on social media throughout Ireland. These materials form the basis
for aclions and shared experiences of living out God's Word, The Focolare Trust NI is
working to increase its presence on social media, developing content for its website,
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Linkedln.
The Focolare Trust Nl organizes inonthly Word of Life meetings, women's lunch
groups, and clergy meetings to foster community and sharing among people of
different backgrounds. It facilitates the sharing and redistribution of goods to people
in need.
Since the pandemic, meetings have been conducted face-to-face or in a hybrid format,
allowing greater participation. An annual highlight is the intergenerational gathering
which again took place in April 2023 in Dungarvan, Co. Watert'ord, on the theme,
"Let's Connect With God, with Each Other, with Nature and wilh Society"
Cross-community Initiatives
The Focolare Trust Nl promotes and supports various cross-community initiatives that
demonstrate Christian denominations working together. Notable examples include the
4 Corners Festival,
the "DOCK Cafe," Unity pilgrims (Clonard Peace and
Reconciliation ministry), Embrace Nl and events related to the Week of Prayer for
Christian Unity.
In March 2024 Rev. Callan Slipper based in the Focolare in London and Chair of
Society for Ecumenical Studies and Trustee of Churches Together in England (former
National Ecumenical )Officer for the Church of England), visited Northern Ireland.
He has been instrumental in formulating the "Armagh Agreenient"_a historic moment
facilitating deeper unity between the Moravian Church and the Anglican communion.
His visit provided an opportunity to bring together over 20 Church leaders from
different denominations in the Focolare for conversation and lunch and Callan shared
insights from his experience and his book on receptive ecumenism "Enriched by the
Other"
Participation in Inter-church and Synodal Processes
Focolare NI participates in national Inter-church Meetings and has been invited to the
General Assemblies of the main Christian Churches in Ireland. This year members
took part in the 33 Inter-church meeting "Our Reconciling Vision of Hope: 50 years
since the Ballymascanlon Talks"
'rhe Trust is engaged in the ongoing synodal
process of the Catholic Church nationally and internationally. NI church leaders take
part in Anternational conferences organised by the Focolare, such as, the Bishops,
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THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI
th
meeting in Portugal in August 2023 and the 40 Confcrence of Bishops of various
Churches in Augsburg at the beginning of March 2024.
Focolare EeoPlan
Members continue to support the Focolare EcoPlan, promoting actions for the
protection of people and the planet. They are committed as Laudato Si animators,
participating in national and European activities. They took part in the "Green Care
Webinar" in October 2023, or(Fanized at European level on the topic of "Eco
Challenges"
A cllmate justice programme began in September 2023 during Season of Creation and
led to the establishment of an informal network of multi-faith organizations which has
becoine known as "Join the Dots Together" From 14 organizations it has grown to
nearly l 00.
th
A Conference was held on 12 January 2024 with keynote speaker, Lorna Gold of
Faithlnvest. Join the Dots Together network has set up a website and online calendar
to facilitate sharing of information and events about environmental protection and
conservation. Collaboration with organizations such as Belfast City Council, NICVA
and the Community Relations Council is underway and several events are being
organized around International Day of Peace (21, September 2024).
International
Focolare members continue to be active in the #daretocare campaign, which promotes
care for the vulnerable and the planet. The project is linked to a social media platform
at l.lii jlL'd W()rld l)ro
The Trust facilitates participation at the international level by organizing and
accompanying groups to conferences and events focused on developing skills for
dialogue, exploring projects for the common good, and supporting fundraising
activities. Examples include the Living Peace Project, the United World Project, the
FormaT formation programme, and the Together4Europe project.
In June 2023 members took part in a summer gaihering in Iceland to support the small
Focolare community there. In August 2023 members took part in the World Youth
Day in Lisbon, Portugal.
This year members of Focolare took part in the DialogUE project which held
st
webinars at European level on various aspects of inclusion: l March on the Social
Inclusion of the Roma people and 22. March on the Social Inclusion of people with
Disabilities. Tony O'ReilLy from Derry/Londonderry, a member of Focolare involved
in the North West Forum of People with Disabilities, gave one of the keynote inputs.
Focolare Northern Ireland has established "Dialogue for Africa,, a group that fosters
relationships between members from Ireland and Africa. Meeting periodically via
Zoom, this mutual engagement is enriching for all participants. The group also raises
funds to support projects in Africa, such as the "Kindergarten" in Bobo Dioulasso
(Burkina-Faso).
Collaboration Ivith other Charities
Members of Focolare Northern Ireland support other registered Lharities like
'Embrace Nl" Corrymeela, the Inter-Faith Forum and Youth Link Nl, fostering a
more welcoming society, especially for migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees.
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Chartered Accountants

THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI
Financial Review
The Trustees have a procedure now in place to review the accounts and to formally
draft a Reserves Policy appropriate to the needs and aims of the Trust going forward.
The charity, s accounts will be prepared each year to 31 March. These accounts cover
the year to 31 March 2024 and show a surplus of £2,179
Risk Management
The Trustees are aware of the risks to which the charity may be exposed. A formal
risk assessment process and strategies for dealing with identified risk areas is being
formalised.
SIGNED:
Trustee
SIGNED:
Trustee
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THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI
We report to the charity trustees on our examination of the accounts for the year
ended 31 March 2024 which are set out on pages 8 to I l.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
As the charity trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in
accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008.
It is our responsibi lity to:
examine the accounts under section 65 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland)
follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity
Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act;
and
state whether particular matters have come to our attention.
Basis of independent examiner's report
We have examined your charity accounts as required under section 65 of the Charities
Act and our examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions
given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)(b) of the
Charities Act.
Our examination included a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a
comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes
consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking
explanations from you as charity trustees concerning any such matters.
Our role is to state whether any material matters have come to our attention giving us
cause to believe:
l. That accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 63 of the
Charities Act
2. That the accounts do not accord with those accounting records
3. That the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of the
Charities Act
4. That there is further information needed for a proper understanding of the
accounts to be reached.
Independent examiner's statement
We have completed our examination and have no concerns in respect of the matters
( l ) to (4) listed above and, in connection with following the Directions of the Charity
Commission for Northern Ireland, we have found no matters that require drawing to
your attention.
McDonald 0gNeill & Co.
Chartered Accountants
S Union Buildings, Union Place
Dungannon, Co. Tyrone
Date:...4.: 11: £t*....................
M¢Donald O'Neill & Co.
Chartered Accountant5

THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
12 Months ended
31 March 2024
General Funds
12 Months ended
31 March 2023
General Funds
Notes
INCOMING RESOURCES
Donations under Perpetual Gift Aid
Gift Aid Tax Refund received
General donations
Stale Benefits contributed
Contributions towards Ecumenical Meeting of Bishops
Refunds and contributions toward costs
75,879
11,861
10,120
9,119
65,236
13,434
35,412
8,084
2,012
1,880
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES
108,991
124 046
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Contributions to central fund for development of
Focolare communities in developiiig countries
Ecumenical Meeting of Bishops
Donations & Gifts
Rent for Community Residence
Provisions and household expenses
Clothing & Personal Care
Education, training, and spiritual renewal
Light, heat & util ities
Printing, postage, stationery & telephone
Motor & travel
Bank charges
Accountancy
Depreciation - motor vehicles
Depreciation - Fixtures etc.
General Expenses
Profit/Losses on disposals
TOTAL RESOURCCI S EXPENDED
57,529
3,997
19,975
12,883
3,738
6,362
3,587
4,726
,r 14,583
223
1,320
1,023
508
1,271
15,408
11,382
2,594
7,533
3,546
2.137
11,951
189
1,194
1,279
414
2,386
118,813
NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING) RESOURCES
2,155
5,233
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Funds brought forward
, 59,000
53,767
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
61,155
59,000
McDonald O'Neill & Co.
Chartered Accountants

THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI
BALANCE SHEET-31 MARCH 2024
Notes
2024
2023
FIXED ASSETS
Fixtures, fittings and eqiiipment
Motor vehicles
2,875
4,094
2,346
5,117
6,969
7,463
CURRENT ASSETS
Prepayments
Other debtor
Bank account
Cash account
3,462
2,798
54,339
52,024
610
57,810
55,432
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accruals & Creditors
(874)
(1,145)
NET CURRENT ASSETS
56,936
54,287
DEFERRED INCOME
Church Donation - World Meeting
of Families
(2,750)
(2,750)
NET ASSETS
61,155
59,000
FUNDS
General funds
61,155
59,000
Capital funds
Total funds
61,155
59,000
We approve the financial information which comprises the statement of financial
activities and the balance sheet. We acknowledge our responsibility for the financial
information and for providing McDonald O'Ncill & Co. with all inforniation and
explanations necessary for its compilation.
SIGNED:
Trustee
SIGNED:
Trustee
McDonald O'Neill & Co.
Chartered Accountants

THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI
NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
I. DONATIONS
A portion of the Trust's income relates to donations made under perpetual Gift Aid by
three of ihe Trustees. These Trustees live in community and donate their entire
salaries to the Focolare Trust Nl.
2. FIXED ASSETS
Fixtures, Fitting &
Equipment
Motor Vehicles
Total
Cost
At l April 2023
Additions
8,144
1,037
21,755
29,899
1,037
Disposals
At 31 March 2024
9,181
21,755
30,936
Depreciation
At l April 2023
Charge for the year
Eliminated on disposal
At 31 March 2024
5,798
508
16,638
1,023
22,436
1,531
6,306
17,661
23,967
Net Book Value
At 31 March 2024
2,875
4,094
6,969
3. GENERAL FUNDS
2024
2023
Brought Forward
Net Incomingl(Outgoing) Resources
Transfer from Capital Fund
59,000
2,155
53,767
5,233
At 31 March 2024
61,155
59,000
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THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI
4. CAPITAL FUNDS
2024
2023
Brought Forward
Transferred to General Funds
At 31 March 2024
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