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 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
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
guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities hav¢ helped to achieve the
charity's purposes and provide a benefit to the beneficiaries.
Principal Activities
The Focolare Movement 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 through 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 counteryarts in 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
McDonald O'Neill & Co.
Chartered Accountant5

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 oulreach to asyliim seekers and migrants through open
afternoons 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 mcdia throughout Ireland. These materials form the basis
for actions and shared experiences of living out God's Word. The Focolare Trust Nl is
working to increase its presence on social medi& developing content for its website,
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Linkedln.
The Focolare Trust Nl organizes monthly Word of Life meelings, wonien'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. Waterford, on the theme,
"Let's Connect With God, with Each Other, with Nature and with Society"
Cross-comrnunity Initiatives
The Focolare Trust Nl promotes and supports various cross-community initiatives that
demonstrate Christian deiiominations 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 Agreeinent".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 expericnce and his book on receptive ecumenism "Enriched by the
Other"
Participation in Inter-church and Synodal Processes
Focolare Nl 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" The Trust is cngaged in the ongoing synodal
process of the Catholic Church nationally and internationally. Nl church l¢ad¢rs take
part in internatAonal conferences organised by the Focolare, such as, the Bishops,
McDonald O'Neill & Co.
Chartered Accountants

THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI
th
meeting in Portugal in August 2023 and the 40 Conference of Bishops of various
Churches in Augsburg at the beginning of March 2024.
Focolare EcoPlan
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, organized ai European level on the topic of "Eco
Challenges"
A climate 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
become 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
st
organized around International Day of Peace (21 September 2024).
International
Focolare Inembers 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 LliiitL'd W()rld Pro
Lct.
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 gathering 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
webinars at European level on various aspects of inclusion: I, 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, sucli as the 'Kindergarten" in Bobo Dioulasso
{Burkina-Faso).
Collaboration with other Charities
Members of Focolare Northern Ireland support other registered charities like
"Embrace NI" Corrymeela, the Inter-Faith Forum and Youth Link Nl, fostering a
Inore welcoming society, especially for migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees.
McDonald O'Neill & Co.
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
McDonald O'Neill & Co.
Chartered Accountants