COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER.. N1073060 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER.. 103802 Democrashe Ltd Company Limited by Guarantee Unaudited Financial Statements 31 July 2025 Finegan Gibson Ltd Chartered accountants Causeway Tower 9 James Street South Belfast BT2 8DN
Democrashe Ltd Company Limited by Guarantse Financial Statements Year ended 31 July 2025 Page Trustees, annual report (incorporating the director's report) Independent examiner's report to the trustees statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account) 11 Statement of financial position Notes to the financial statements 12 13
Democrashe Ltd Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report {Incorporating the Director's Report) Year ended 31 July 2025 The twstees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law, present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 July 2025. Reference and administrative details Reglstered Charity name Democrashe Ltd Charlty reglstratlon number 103802 Company registration number N1073060 Prlnclpal offlce and reglstered 23 Rugby Road offlce Belfast BT71PT The trustees Ms L Carvill MsELaw Ms F Macmillan Ms F Mccausland Independent examiner Paul Dolan FCA Finegan Gib50n Limited Causeway Tower 9 James Street South Belfast BT2 8DN Structure, governance and management Democrashe is a company limited by guarantee IN10730601 and not having a share capital operating under the Companies Act 2006. 11 is based in Northern Ireland and registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland INIC1038021. It is governed by a Memorandum and Articles of Association. Trustees are appointed by ordinary resolution at an annual general meeting through rotstional retirement and filling of vacancies, those retiring by rotation being those longest in office since their last appointment. In addition, the Trustees have the power lo appoint a person who is willing lo act to be a Trustee until the following annual general meeting. Work is undertaken by an individual a550¢iale or small teams of associates who come together to undertake projects under the leadership of a senior associate who reports to the Trustees.
Democrashe Ltd Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (¢tytrlitsu¢dJ Year ended 31 July 2025 Objectives and activitles Objects Democrashe's objects are the advancement of human rights las set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and subsequent United Nations conventions and declarations), conflict resolution or reconciliation or the promotion of religious or racial harmony or equality and diversity., and the advancement of citizenship and community development,. through education, raising awareness, conducting research and promoting dialogue and co-operation. enhancing leadership and governance for the benefit of the public in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and internationally heTeinafter called the area of benefiy.. Activities In support of the objects Democrashe's activities can include building the capacities of individu81s and organisations, including in leadership and governan.. conducting and engaging in education and training programmes, meetings. events and aclivEties.' promoting and facilitating dialogue. understanding and Coopera0., conducting and disseminating research 8nd information., informing, educating and advocating., cooperating. partnering and participating with olhei oiganisations in Northern Ireland, the Republic of ITeland, United Kingdom. Europe and internatsonally.
Democrashe Ltd Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Directorfs Report) {n11n¢) Year ended 31 July 2025 Achigvements and perfomiance During the year ended July 2025 we advanced Democrashe's work in Northern Ireland, Ireland and internationally. We continued to promote gender equality and women's leadership as well as share lessons and build capacity on women, peace and security. We engaged with women's organisations, academics, politicians and officials in central and local government. Throughout, we were alert to the Charlty Commission's guidance on public benefit when planning and carrying out our work. Equality and Diversity Our senioT associate. Bronagh Hinds, continued to work with the Local Government Equality and Diversity Group in 2024-25. She regularly attended meetings of this group which pioneers and drives initiatives to embed equality and diversty into local government culture and practice beyond compliance with statutory equality duties. The group's Strategy and Action Plan promotes Diversity Ambassadors, talent management, recruitment and selection codes and mental health action. Learning and development ale key, as is gathering baseline data to measure and benchmark progress and best practice. During the year Bronagh continued her work with the Local Government Staff Commission ILGSCI undertaken over several years on establishing an effective Diversity Ambassadors network in local government. Work in previous years included a best practice workshop and engaging with local councils across Northern Ireland lo gather baseline information on their equality and diversity governance structures and practices. Working with LGSC representatives over 2023 and 2024 she planned and delivered a Diversity Ambassadors capacity building programme. She facilitated equality. diversity and inclusion IEDII workshops on the themes.. Setting the context for EDI. Delivering for the Community, Employability and Talent Management, Best Practice. Network Launch and Next Steps. Bronagh continues to contribute lo the Northem Ireland Women's Budget Group INIVVBG}, actively participating in a small strategic advisory eommittee. In September 2024 the NIWBG hosted a 4 Nations conference in Belfast on Care, Women and a New Economy. The conference brought together experts, F)olicymakers, and advocates from across the UK to reflect on women's economic inequality and explore the policy tools needed to drive transformational change. In her keynote, Professor Diane Elson, Chair of the Commission on a Gender Equal Economy, provided an overview of the core themes and the challenges and opportunities for gender responsive budgeting under the new government. including fiscal ruses and avenues for devolution. The senior associate chaired a session with lepresentatives from Northern Ireland, Scotland. Wales. England, and the Republic of Ireland providing an overview of gender budgeting advances. opportunities, challenges within their respective nations. Bronagh was invited to give the keynote speech and participate in a Q&A panel at an event in Warrenpoinl marking 10 years of the Ann McGeeney Trust Fund in September. Ann was part of the first all-female group to develop an economic project in Northern Ireland, with the women investing thousands of voluntary hours in developing and delivering their vision for the Coutyard. a gateway centre for south Armagh celebrating the geology, ecology and social heritage of the area. The Trust. under the aegis of of the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, was established lo continue Ann's legacy of community development. peace building, and social justice by supporting projects that empower women. build stronger cornmunilies, and promote pea¢e and reconciliation. In November, the senior associate spoke at a workshop for youth leaders that focused on working with young women with inputs on the criminal justice system. youth centre work, sexual health, radical reading story telling and bystander intervention. Bronagh Set the scene for the day drawing on the rich history of women's activism in Northern Ireland. issues addressed. challenges faced, achievements, and what remains to be tackled. She stressed that sustsinable pea¢e requires the involvement of civil
Democrashe Ltd Company Limitsd by Guarantee Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Directorfs Report) (¢ontinu¢dJ Year ended 31 July 2025 society, especially women and young women and men, and detemination to champion inclusivity of partlClP8tion and issues. She called for the Northern Ireland Executive to adopt the Gender Equality Strategy on which civil Society had been working with the Department of Communities for more than a year. and urgent attention to tackling violence against women and girls. March and April 2025 saw the senior associate at women's empowerment events at Queen's University Belfast IQUBI. On International Women's Day Bronagh shared a panel on Female Trailbazers.. Pioneers of Change and Innovation with Dame Siobhan Keegan, Lady Chief Justice of Northern Ireland., Emily Logan, Ireland's Police Ombudsman", and Dr Theresa Donaldson, Chair of Belfast Harbour Commissioners. The panel addressed overcoming challenges. redefining leadership, inspiring change, and the future of female leadership. The following month she look part in a panel at a North-soulh conference celebrating the centenary of Queen's Women Graduates and the Irish Federation of University Women, and involving the University Women ol Europe. Buildlng Peace and Women, Peace and Security V)thile the 25th anniversary yeai of the Good Friday Agreement IGFAI fell during the 2022-23 year, the programme marking the anniversary continued through 2024. Moreover, the importance of and interest in women. peace and security continues lo lead to the senior as50ciate'5 engagement in local, national and intemalional sessions lo share lessons and build capacity. Bronagh was one of a small group which organised the D'Arcy McGee Summer School in Carlingford in August 2024 on the theme of Human Rights.. Birthright or Political Gift drawing speakeis from human rights agencie5 and advocacy bodies on human rights, women's lights and children's rights. Bronagh moderated an online session on IsraellPalestine with Gideon Lewy and chaired a panel with Bulelani Mfaco from the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland and Senior Counsel Turlough O'Donnell on the importance of of community, dialogue and leadership for justice. She continued through the year seNing on the summer school ¢ommiltee planning the 2025 summ8r school. The Irish Secretariat invited our senior associate to be the interlocutor in a deep dis¢us$ion with the Bicommunal Women's Coalition from Cyprus on their visit lo Belfast in September 2024. The Cypriot C081ition, formed by a group of women political leaders from the Turkish-cypriot and Greek-cyprlot communities, were interested in hearing perspectives on managing inclusion in negotiation$, the experience and contribution of female leaders in peace process negotiations and the importance of gender perspecllves in posl-conflicl politics. In October, Bronagh took part in an uplifting event in The MAC in Belfast inspired by Syrian artist and activist Khaled Barakeh's work The Shake which explores the potential for reconciliation and bridging societal divides. The Shake lakes ils slepping-off point from mauri Harron's iconic public sculpture. Hands Across the Divide, erected in 1992 in Dery-LondondeTry to symbolise'lhe letting go of the past and reconciliation between both sides of the political divide during The Troubles.. The MAC event brought together young people and community leaders lo share their vision for an inclusive and peaceful society. Following an inleractnie dance piece and sel inside Kaled's exhibition, table discussion groups shared imaginings of the future. Northern Ireland Office {NIOI Minister Fleur Anderson addressed participants, and Bronagh and a young person were tasked with responding to the discussion feedback. Owen McCaffeTty's seminal play Agreement had successful runs in 8elfa$t. Dublin and New York during the 25th Anniversary year of the Go¢)d Friday Agreement. Our senior associate look part in the posl-show discussion in the Gale Theatre in Dublin in October with David Grant and Dr Ryan Feeney from Queen's and actor Andrea Irvine who played Secretary of Slate Mo Mowlam. October also saw the launch of Voices of 1974 in the Ulster Museum, with Bronagh's voice one of those included.
Democrashe Ltd Company Limited by Guarantse Trustees, Annual Report {Incorporating the Directoes Report) (continued) Year ended 31 July 2025 In January 2025 Bronagh joined Hana Mosavie of Pomegranate House and Zarin Hainsworth in leading online discussion on Beijing+30.' where next for global gender equality? A progressive blueprint for advancing women's rights the 1995 Beijing Platform for Action IBPfA} sel the framework for linking inlernalional. regional, national and local levels and created greater opportunity for global solidarity. It addressed women's needs and demands on povety. education and training. health. violence against women, armed conflict, economy, environment, power and decision making, media, human rights, the girl child, and instilulional mechanisms for the advancement of wornen. Thity years on. the Women's Platform hosted the discussion to take stock of progress since its adoption and look to the future. January and February saw the senior a$slate take part in the Women's Plafform NIO-funded project on building and strengthening international neOrking beeen women pea¢ebuilders. The January workshop focused on Northern Ireland experiences in peacebuilding and building neorkS. This was followed by a joint workshop in February under Chatham House Rules with women from Colombia and Iraq. Bronagh along with Avila Kilmurray of Social Change Initiative, Sophie Nelson of HereNI, Charmain Jones of Nl Rural Vvomen's NeOrk and community activist Eileen Weir represented the Northern Ireland experience. In Mar¢h 2025 the senior associate took up an invitstion from the Irish Consulate in Wales to contribute with, Eileen Weir, to a discussion organised in partnership with Cardiff University to launch the Peace Heroines exhibition on Northern Ireland women involved in negotiating and building peace. Bronagh marked International Women's Day in Hillsborough Castle at the invitation of NIO Minister Fleur Anderson. At the invitations of the Irish Ambassadors lo Israel and Palestine. the senior associate undertook a programme of engagements in Israel and Palestine in March 2025, which was maintained despite the Israeli government breaking the ceasefire shortly after arrival. The programme inclu¢Jed a working lunch over several hours with thirty women peacebuilders, discussions with opinion formers. a guided tour of hostage5 square and meetings Wlth family members of hostages. the public screening of Wave Goodbye lo to Dinosaurs about the Northern Ireland Women's Coalition in pea negotiations followed by post-screening Q&A discussion, meetings with the Palestinian Minister for Women's Affairs and with women peacebuilders in Ramallah, a walking tour of Jerusalem, an Irish community event, and a Haaretz pod¢ast. The following month, the senior associate gave her annual seminar to British Jewish university students on making and building peace. A students, visit lo Northern Ireland is organised annually by Ya¢had, a British Jewish organi5ation whose primary mission is to empower British Jews to support a poli.¢81 resolution to the Israeli Palestinian confli¢t. In May 2025 the senior associate joined an intemalional group of academic and practitioner experts in an Istanbul conference on Rejuvenating Peace Processes.. Lessons Learned. Sponsored by the Friedrich Ebert Sliftung Foundation, this conference exploring peace negotiation practices was led by Professor A. Bettsl Gelik of Sabanci University Istanbul and Professor Mehmet Gurses of University of Central Florida look place at a time of potential change in the relationship beleen the PKK and the Turkish Slate. Our senior Associate, a co-founder of the Women's Coalition and negotiator in Northern Ireland's mulli-paty peace tslks, was a panellist on rejuvenating peace processes. The panel included Miriam Coronel-Ferrer. a founder of the Southeast Asian Women Peace Mediators and government negotiator in the Philippines peace PrceSS.. Shadia Marhaban, a co-founder of Aceh Women's League and negotiator for the Free Aceh Movement in Indonesia.. and Neha Sanghrajka, a UN senior conflict sensitivity advisor and a mediator in the 2019 Mozambique Peace Agreement. A second panel on lessons learned included Dr. Joshua N. Weiss. Bay Path Program Director in Leadership and Negotiation and Senior Fellow at Harvard Negotiation Project.. Mirko Manzoni, Ambassador to South Africa, Bolswana, Namibia, Lesotho. Mauritius. and Eswatini. Permanent Representative to SADC and Personal Envoy UN Secretary General for Mozambique12019-20231', Mesut Ye?en, Founding Editor K(Jrt Tarihi Journal and Founding Member Kurdish Studies Center Turkey,. and Mehmet Gurses,
Democrashe Ltd Company Limited by Guarantee Trustses, Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (¢onllnu¢d) Year ended 31 July 2025 Najmaldin Karim & Jalal Talabani Chair of Kurdish Studies University of Central Florida. The first day provided a useful backdrop to 8 Chatham House Rule5 roundlable the following day, which explored the interaction beeen politics and civil society in peace dialogue and process management drawing on international insights and examining steps towards peace in Mozambique and Turkey. Turkish political representatives partieipated as panellists and among participants around the table. The International Day of Women in Diplomacy established by the United Nations General Assembly In June 2022 recognises and celebrates the ways in which women are breaking barriers and making a difference in the field of diplomaey. Advocating for increased representation of women in key decision-making positions will greatly shape and implement mullilaleral agendas. Leadership by women diplomats in advocating for women's rights, peace, and security conlribules significantly to shaping foreign policies that reflect democratic values. Under the Community Foundation Northern Ireland's Nothing About Us Without Us programme, women's organisations collaborated to co-designed a Visible, Vocal. Valued women's proglamme lo amplify the voices of grassroots women. To mark Internab'onal Day of Women in Diplomacy in June 2025, Reclaim the Agenda organised a screening of Wave Goodbye to Dinosaurs in the MAC followed by audience discussion with the senior associate about the Women's Coalition, ils conlributs'on lo lo the peace negotiations, the challenges faced and whether there has been change in the way women's voices are valued and have impact. Through the year the senior asso¢iate contributed to other events= Discussion with the NIO on the UK Nation81 Action Plan on Women. Peace and Security as It affects Northern Ireland and how wornen's experience of the Northern Ireland conflict can contribute to delwery of the UK NAP inlernalionally. Spoke at the launch of Paving the Path to Peace.. Civil Society and the Northern Ireland Peace Process by Connal Parr and Stephen Hopkins {publisher Peter Lang}. In the context of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, the book focuses on civil society's role in mobilising for pe8ee and reconciliation in the late 1980s and early 19905. Participated in the two-day Colloquium on The Political Thought of John Hume and of David Trimble organised by Queen's University's Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice in conjunction with Lord John Alderdice. Attended the 0-daY conference on Parity of Esteem as a Constitutional Principle in Northern Ireland co-hosted by Queen's University, University of Essex and the British Academy. Attended an event on Treaties, Constilulions, Conflict, and Peace organised by Queen's University's Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice. Attended the annual Harri Holkerie lecture in Queen's University, given by the Finnish Minister of Foreign Affairs. Elina Valtonen MP, on Peace mediation in the age of geopolitical conlestalion. Harri Holkerie was one of the three chairmen of the Northern Ireland peace negolialions. Attended the screening of The Negotiator and post-film discussion in QFT. Attended the All-lsland SlakeholdeT Forum on mobility across the island of Ireland after Brexit. Linked in to the annual Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission Human Rights Lecture gwen by Dr Michael Flaherty. Commissioner for Human Rights of the Counci5 of Europe. Attended Professor Cynthia Enloe's lecture on Vvhal feminists reveal when they investigate masculinities.. the case of military 'manpower' which explored exclusions and use and abuse of gender tropes to justify armed violence, wars, and mililarisalion. and argued the importance of thinking politically about who and for whom individuals and group5 become instrumentalised In times of war. Chaired by Professor Marsha Henry, Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton Chair in Women, Peace, Security and Justice al Queen's University Belfast it was the opening Lecture ft)r the British International Studies Association IBISAI 50th Anniversary ConfeTen¢e. The senior associate continued to provide students, academics and other$ with briefings and interviews on women, peace and security IWPSI, information on women in peace-building and polili¢s and on civil society engagement in Northern Ireland, and analysis on peace negotiations and political
Democrashe Ltd Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) fconllnu Year ended 31 July 2025 processes. She delivered an annual lecture to Fordham Law School's Summer Programme,. and lectured to other universities and visiting groups such as Grand Valley Slate University. Media Bronagh conb'nued lo contribute to media broadcasts during the year, primarily on the BBC through Talkback and Good Morning Ulster. This included a BBC Talkback discussion on the Middle East. Honours Our senior associate was honoured to receive a CBE from Princess Anne in Windsor Castle in January 2025. Bronagh wa5 also honoured to have been invited to make the Graduation Address at the Summer Graduation Ceremony of Queens University's School of Social Sciences. Education and Social Work in July 2025. She focused her remarks on solid principles and values guiding one's life ahead, noting that inclusion and diversity, human rights, equality and social justice are the cornerstones of peace and stability. She left graduates with the wise words of Elle Woods in the film Legally Blonde, "lake with you through life". passion, conviction and a strong sense of self,. Flnanclal revlew Democrashe's business model is to undertake work within ils powers on discrete projects which meet its objects. Business is led by senior associate Bronagh Hinds. who reports to the Trustees. Work is undertaken by a single associate or small teams of associates according to the project. All associates are self-employed. Democrashe's overheads are minimal and expenditure is on work carried out on projects advancing the objects for which Democrashe was established. Income and expenditure primarily reflect delivery lime spent on projects. Some work is undertaken on a pro-bono basis. The income sources in 2024-2025 were the Local Government Staff Commission. Democrashe does nol have any reStrted funds. It aims to ¢arry over a small reserve from year to year. Democrashe reported a deficit of £5,552 12024.. deficit £6.1111 during the year. with overall unrestricted funds carried fOard of £11,36112024." £16,913). Plans for future perlods Democrashe plans lo continue its work in Northem Ireland, Ireland and inlemationally on promoting gender equality and women's leadership as well as sharing lessons and building capacity on women. peace and security. Small company provlslons This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled lo the Small companies exemption.
Democrashe Ltd Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Reportl (contlnued) Year ended 31 July 2025 The trustees, annual report was approved on 30 April 2026 and signed on behalf of the board of Iiustees by.. Fiona J. Nlacfv1illan Ms F Macmillan Trustee