Company registered number: N1041273 Charity Registered number: NIC108453 WOMEN'S PLATFORM LTD (Private company limited by •iarante¢ without sh•re capltall TRUSTEES, REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 •AEGU7D3P* 0611212025 COMPANIES HOUSE A11
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Tony Clarke 53 Andersonstown Road Belfast BTII 9AG
WOMEN'S PLATFORM LTD CONTENTS PAGE Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisers -Annual-Report ofThe Trustees 2-16 Independent Examiner Report 17-18 Statement of Financial Activities 19 Balance Sheet 20 Notes to the Financial Statements 21-27
WOMEN'S PLATFORM LTD (Private company Ilmited by guarantee without share capital) TRUSTEES. REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporatin8 the Director's Report) STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT The charity is controlled by its governing document, a Memorandum and Articles of Association, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. The company was incorporated on 03 August 2001 and registered with Charity Commission for Northern Ireland on 19 April 2022. -REF_ERENCE-AND.ADMINIST.RAT.IVE-DE-T.AILS Reglstered Company number N1041273 Reglstered Charity number NIC108453 Registered offlce 6 Mount Charles Belfast BT7 INZ CHAIRPERSON Emma Osborne DIRECTORS Emma Osborne Ai51inn Fanning Anne Mcvicker Jeanette Thornton Karen Devlin Alexandra Brennan Naomi English Siobhan Harding Alexa Moore Maxine Murphy-Higgins Beverly Simpson Louise Coyle Chair Vice Chair Company Secretary Treasurer European Wornen's Lobby representative Resigned on 19 July 2024 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Tony Clarke FCPA 53 Andersontown Road Belfast BTII 9AG
WOMEN'S PLATFORM LTD {Private company limited by guarantee without share capital) TRUSTEES, REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Women's Platform Limited HMRC charitable ststus number N101117 Re istered with the Chari Commission for Northern Ireland N1108453 Re ort of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 The Trustees, who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006. present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102> (effective 1 January 2015). OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Objectives and Aims Women's Platform is a membership organisation working to raise awareness and promote the implementation of international human rights standards in Northern Ireland, and in particular the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), in line with commitments the UK has made to international human rights treaties. Established in 1988 as the Northern Ireland link to the European Women's Lobby, Women's Platform also works to amplify the voices of women and girls in Northern Ireland at the European and international level, including at Ihe UN. Women's Platform is in special Gonsultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the UN, which enables the organisation to engage in UN human rights processes and coordinate a Northern Ireland civil society response to these processes. The work of Women's Platform locally focuses on building the capacity of members and the wider women's sector to utilise international human rights standards and mechanisms for women's rights in their own practice and in advocacy to promote gender equality in Northern Ireland. Women's Platform also shares evidence and good practice from international networks locally, and works with members to explore and enable engagement with international networks relevant to gender equality and the women, peace and security agenda. In addition, Women's Platform contributes evidence to consultation processes and engages with policy and decision rnakers to highlight human rights commitments and evidence of good practice on realising gender equality. This includes work on the women, peace and security agenda in alignment with the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, including acting as the lead partner for the Irish government funded Women's Spaces project. Women's Plafform acts as the secretariat for the Northern Ireland Assembly All Party Group on UN Security Council Resolution 1325, Women, Peace and Security. Women's Platform exists to advance the equality and human rights and equality of women and girls in Northern Ireland, through a number of mechanisms including education of the public, promotion of human rights and public support for human rights, commenting on proposed legislation and policy, international advocacy, promoting domestic enforcement of human rights and research into human rights issues. Women's Platform also exists to promote equality, diversity and community development through means including providing a forum for women's organisations, providing strategic and operational support to women's organisations, development and delivery of action plans concerned with improving the lives of women in Northern Ireland and influencing policy and practice in the fields of gender equality. diversity and community development.
WOMEN'S PLATFORM LTD (Private company limited by guarantee without share capital) TRUSTEES, REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Key activities of the Organisation The following were the key activities of the organisation in 2024-25.. CEDAW The Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAVI4 is a central international human rights treaty, which the UK ratified in 1986. Women's Platform coordinates the civil society response to CEDAW in Northern Ireland, through preparing shadow reports in collaboration with members and partners, and promoting and monitoring implementation of the Committee's recommendations to the UK, Women's Plafform also assists in highlighting gender equality perspectives in relation to other UN human rights treaties. In 2024-25, Women's Platform focused on preparing for examination of the UK under CEDAW, in particular through developing links with sister organisations in England, Scolland and Wales as a basis for preparing a four nations shadow report. This work included seeking clarification on the timescale for the next UK examination, which due to delays at the UN is now expected in 2026. Work subsequently focused on strengthening capacity on CEDAW locally, in order to prepare for effective eviden gathering in 2025-26. This included a series of Iraining sessions introducing human rights concepts, including to new groups such as grassroots older women's groups and migrants. groups, which significantly assisted with outreach to these audiences, contributing to strengthening intersectional practice. Women's Platform also introduced a monthly webinar series building capacity on international human rights mechanisms and UN processes, which attracted over 100 participants between August 2024 and March 2025. The webinar series is designed to demystify intemational human rights mechanisms and enable networking with human rights experts and international women's sector professionals, and has received very positive feedback, highlighting that such capacity building strengthens women's confidence and interest in engaging with public life more widely. The webinar series was complemented in 2024-25 by a podcast series seeking to provide an accessible introduction to international human rights concepts and share learning from Women's Platform's European partners and connections. In total eighl episodes were produced in this series supported by funding from the Domiant Accounts Fund Northern Ireland, which both received positive feedback and assisted in building connections between the local women's sector and international networks. Wornen's Platform also contributed evidence to a Northern Ireland civil society shadow report on the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and assisted in sharing recommendations from the Concluding Observations for the UK following an examination in February 2025. Commission on the Status of Women The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the UN intergovernmental body responsible for reviewing progress on the Beiijing Platform for Action and the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as promoting the empowerment of women and setting UN policy on gender equality. Operating through annual conferences, its key role is to assist the United Nations and member states in setting policy direction on gender equality,. CSW also plays a key role in monitoring progress on the implementation of gender equality through the global Sustainable Development Goals and integration of gender throughout the Goals. Women's Platform, as an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the UN, is eligible to participate in CSW and submit evidence.
WOMEN'S PLATFORM LTD {Private company limited by guarantee without share capital) TRUSTEES, REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Commission on the Status of Women continued... CSW69 took pla 10-21 March 2025 as a primarily in person conference, focusing on marking the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action and reviewing progress wilh a view to re-energising commitment to this groundbreaking agenda for change. The conference is increasingly returning to in person delivery, and a significant focus during the year was seeking funding for a delegation to participate in CSW69 to gain evidence, expertise, examples of good practice and new relationshiips, with a number of business cases made and engagement undertaken with a range of Northern Ireland institutions and organisations with a view to securing funding. While this proved difficult in light of the very tight fiscal situation, engagement built understanding of CSW and its relevance to Northern Ireland, and contributed to slrengthened interest and capacity at policy and decision maker level, enabling strengthened advocacy of inclusion of international models of good practice and international human rights standards in decision making. Learning from CSW68, shared through a report in early 2024-25, also contributed to strengthening sector capacity to effectively advocate for change. and in particular helped Women's Platform to further clarify its role as a sectoral support on international human rights mechanisms. A small delegation was ultimately supported through using Women's Platform reserves, as the trustees deemed attendance in person in New York vital for meeting organisational aims and strengthening the organisation's international profile. Securing and organising the delegation, including capacity building and engagement with the sector through meetings and a webinar organised as part of the International Women's Day programme, was a core part of work in the last quarter of 2024-25. A report will be prepared in early 2025-26 to enable effectively sharing of learning and use of good practice identified within work across Ihe women's sector. The delegation took part in CSW69 during the first week of the conference, and focused on gathering evidence, examples of good practice and learning from governments, international networks and global civil society, in line with needs and priorities identified in collaboration with members and stakeholders in the women's sectoi in Northern Ireland. Virtual participation of local organisations in CSW69 was supported through sharing updates and information on events and programming live streamed through UN WebTV and online conferencing platforms, and feedback from both CSW68 and CSW69 underlined that this was useful and assisted in demystifying international networks. Women's Platform also organised a virtual side event on Women building peace: Solidarity and sharing learning, which focused on highlighting experiences of women peacebuilders in (post)conflict regions across Ihe world, including Northern Ireland and Iraq, and exploring mechanisms for strengthening women's participation in decision making in different contexts. This event received positive feedback and identified a number of concrete international learning and collaboration opportunities. which will be developed as core work in 2025-26. Wornen's Plalform also engaged with both the UK and Irish governments at CSW69 and emphasised the importance of sharing learning, as well as building global solidarity at a time of deepening uncertainty. This process contributed to developing links with policy makers, as a basis for longer term advocacy and engagement. Women's Platform also made submissions to the UN High Level Political Forum, which monitors progress on delivery of Ihe Sustainable Development Goals. and the UN Summit for the Future, which seeks to develop a new commitment to multilateral action on key global priorities. The Pact for the Future, agreed in September 2024, was the topic for a focused webinar in September 2024, which identified a number of potential mechanisms for further development.
WOMEN'S PLATFORM LTD {Private company limited by guarantee without share capital) TRUSTEES, REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Commission on the Status of Women continued. At the UK level, Women's Plafform continued participation in the UK NGO CSW Alliance, a coalition of women's organisations engaged with CSW. The role of Women's Platform is to ensure a strong voice for women and girls in Northern Ireland, and the focus of collaboration in 2024-25 was on advocating for a clear voice for devolved administrations and sharing good practice across devolved administrations. Similar collaboration with the European Women's Lobby is developing, with a view to ensuring that EU level organisations and actors have an understanding of events and priorities in the UK. Euro ean Women's Lobb The European Women's Lobby is the umbrella network for women's networks in Europe. Women's Platform is a core member of the UK Joint Committee on Women, which acts as the coordination of the UK membership of the European Women's Lobby, across the devolved administrations. Women's Platform also participates in the European Women's Lobby, including relevant sub networks, and supported England as the UK Board member within the Lobby to engage with European as well as UK partners. Work continued to build relationships with the Lobby, with a focus on exploring effective meGhanisms for mutual information and skill sharing following Brexit. Women's Platform participated in the EWL taskforce on sexual and reproductive health and rights, and contributed to sharing information between the Lobby and UK Joint Committee on Women partners. Women's Platform also led work to explore a renewal of the UK Joint Committee on Women, following a period of significant change in constituent organisations. This included exploring perspectives and priorities across the four partner organisations in relation to four nations and European level collaboration. and identified a commitment to further review to be developed in 2025-26. Women Peace and Securl Women's Platform provides the secretariat for the Northern Ireland Assembly All Party Group (APG) on UNSCR 1325, Women, Peace and Security. During the year, the APG continued its active role in dialogue on gender equality in Northern Ireland and acted as a link between decision making structures and the sector, including initiating correspondence with Ministers on key issues following return of sitting institutions in February 2024. A cross party leadership team was elected at the AGM in June 2024, confirming a broad base of support for the APG. Violence against women and girls was a core local priority for the APG, which engaged with the Northern Ireland Civil Service to secure a strong strategy on violence against women and girls. The APG also initiated development of links with migrant organisations and explored anti racist action following a spate of anti racist and Islamophobic riots in August 2024. In addition, the APG took a growing interest in international solidarity and in particular human rights breaches in Afghanistan and Gaza, writing to the UK and Irish governments on a number of occasions lo urge for leadership in upholding international human rights. The APG also underlined the importance of including Northem Ireland in both the UK and Ireland National Action Plans on women. peace and security , and championed engagement with local government as an important driver of action relevant to gender equality and meeting women's needs at local level.
WOMEN'S PLATFORM LTD (Private company limited by guarantee without share capital) TRUSTEES, REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Women Peace and Securi continued... The UK National Action Plan 2023-27 for the first time includes Northern Ireland, following strong advocacy at the policy development stage in 2022-23, and this identified new opportunities for engagement with the Northern Ireland Office as a key link between the UK govemment and devolved institutions. Ongoing dialogue identified an opportunity for a project supported by UK NAP funds to explore networking between women peacebuilders in Northern Ireland and other {post)conflict regions, and Women's Platform successfully delivered a feasibility study in November 2024-March 2025 engaging women peacebuilders in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Colombia. The project also included commissioning an overview of historical engagement of women peacebuilders in Northern Ireland with intemational networks and resulted in a report setting out recommendations for further development of networking, which will be a priority in 2025-26. Women's Platform engaged the UK women, peace and security network GAPS in supporting the feasibility study, which built further links with GAPS, and through this built engagement wilh the ternational development NGOS at UK level. In addition, Women's Platform contributed to the GAPS annual shadow report on the UK National Action Plan on women, peace and security. Following long term work to develop relationships with the Irish Government, which includes Northern Ireland in its National Action Plan on women, peace and security, Women's Platform in collaboration with Women's Resource and Development Agency (WRDA), Women's Support Network (WSN) and Northern Ireland Rural Women's Network (NIRWN) successfully secured a three year Strategic Partnership project within the Reconciliation Fund in 2022-23, which went into its third year in 2024-25. The project is a three year capacity building and advocacy programme. which during the year focused on capacity building with grassroots women and developing a virtual toolkit on effective mechanisms for engaging women in peacebuilding and decision making, which will be launched in early 2025-26 as the key deliverable from the project. Women's Platform takes a project coordination and financial management role within the project, which is delivered by two part time project coordinators employed through project partners WRDA and NIRWN. During the year, Women's Platfomi led strategic development and monitoring of the project, and also contributed concrete operational support to project coordinators, in particular in relation to managing budgets and timelines. During the year, there was an emphasis on developing the toolkit, which included a sub project collecting case studies from women peacebuilders and engagement professionals in the form of a series of vlogs and blogs. Women's Platform coordinated strategic and operational planning, and assisted project coordinators in developing operational action plans and delivery, including developing Ihe virtual toolkit and organising filming of the vlogs and collation of the blogs. The organisation also took lead in engaging with an longitudinal evaluator and implementing action to address recommendations from the first interim report, as well as engaging with Ihe funder and reporting on progress. The project enabled development of further strong links with the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, and has identified a significant demand for skill building on women, peace and security in Northern Ireland. Plans for longer term development were initiated, including exploring a number of funding options based on clear and strong feedback from participants that a long term commitment is needed.
WOMEN'S PLATFORM LTD {Private company limited by guarantee without share capital) TRUSTEES, REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Local alliance buildin and advocac Women's Platform remains an active member of the Nl Women's Policy Group and worked closely with the Women's Sector Lobbyist to develop advocacy for gender equality in policy and decision making, including development of the APG on UNSCR 1325, Women, Peace and Security. In 2024-25, this focused on strengthening the international human rights element in sectoral policy submissions. and Women's Platform strengthened its role as the sectoral support on international human rights standards, as well as the key source of information and expertise on good practice from intemational networks, with the fortnightly newsletter playing a key role in building sector capacity on key international issues and events relevant to gender equality, as well as good practice. This contributed to stronger, more effective and streamlined policy submissions, which focused on the impact of budget cuts on women, violence against women and girls, as w811 as submissions to the UK House of Commons and House of Lords on consultations primarily exploring post Brexit arrangements. This also included representing a gender equality perspective in direct engagement with political decision makers, including the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland as well as key Ministers including the Economy Minister and Junior First and Deputy First Ministers. Evidence shared by Women's Plafform to Committee inquiries secured a number of opportunities to provide oral evidence to Committees, including the Executive Office Committee inquiry into gaps in equality law. Women's Platform is also an active member of Nl Women's Budget group and participates in Reclaim the Agenda. In 202-25, there was an active focus on strengthening connections beeen the sector and relevant expertise at European and international level, in particular in relation to gender budgeting and exploring implications of the EU Directive on Violen against women and girls in the Northern Ireland context. Communications Through a grant from Dormant Accounts Fund Nl, Women's Platform secured resourcing in 2022 to invest in developing communications of the organisation, which has been identified as a priority to strengthen engagement with and support to members and partners, and also support recruitment of members. This work in 2024-25 focused on strengthening the organisation's online and social media presence, which included introducing an Instagram presence, which has grown rapidly and assisted in outreach to young women in particular. This work has identified a clear communications development agenda, which in 2024-25 included the podcast series outlined above under the CEDAW priority area, and a monthly webinar series, and will focus on building accessible resources in 2025-26. Ada tation in the context followin the COVID-19 andemic Working practices in 2024-25 prioritised in person meetings and events., however, learning from the pandemic has highlighted the value of online evenls and communications for the sector, in particular through its increased capacity to facilitate engagement with international networks and good practice. Due to the extremely difficult fiscal position and increasing pressure on the sector, Women's Platform is committed to maintaining online engagement opportunities and developing further networking options, as a mechanism for lime and resour effective international networking. Women's Platfom has also embedded a culture of hybrid working, with a view to maximising efficiency and capacity of the organisation. It is anticipated that hybrid working is retained as the normalised practice, with remote working the norm during quieter periods, but in person delivery and engagement prioritised within projects.
WOMEN'S PLATFORM LTD (Private company limited by guarantee without share capital) TRUSTEES, REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Public benefit The Trustees confirm that they have had due regard to guidance produced by the Charity Commission regarding Public Benefit. Directors The following constituted the directors of Women's Platform as of 31 March 2025, elected to the Committee in November 2024.. Emma Osborne Aislinn Fanning Anne Mcvicker Jeanette Thornton Karen Devlin Alexandra Brennan Naomi English Siobhan Harding Alexa Moore Maxine Murphy-Higgins Beverly Simpson Chair Vice Chair Company Secretary Treasurer European Women's Lobby representative Member Member Member Member Member Member ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE FINANCIAL REVIEW Financial Position The detailed financial results for the year ended 31 March 2025 are shown on the financial statements, which accompany this report. During the year, Women's Platform sucSsfUllY delivered on all of its three existing grants, including the core grant from Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, which secured the organisation for 2022-25. A further core grant application in November 2024 was unsuccessful in securing the organisation long term, due to a change in funder priorities. however, an extension of the core grant lo March 2026 sustains the organisation throughout 2025-26. In November 2024, Women's Platform also secured a short term grant through the UK National Action Plan on women, peace and security, which delivered a feasibility study exploring networking between women peacebuilders in Northern Ireland and other {post)conflict regions. This project was successfully delivered within timescale by March 2025. however, due to the grant payment structure of claims based payment in arrears, expenditure in Q4 2024-25 will be reported in 2025-26. Women's Platform also secured a third installment of a three year grant from the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, as one of the Strategic Partnerships under its Reconciliation Fund. This project is a consortium with Northern Ireland Rural Women's Network, Women's Resource and Development Agency and Women's Support Network, and enables supporting two part time staff embedded within WRDA and NIRWN, with overall project management and financial oversight provided by Women's Plafform, subject to minimal core costs for this function, which contribute to securing the organisation and add to overall sustainability of the organisalion. The project follows impactful delivery by Women's Platform on initiatives promoting the women, peace and security agenda over the long term, and highlights the value funders place in the organisation as a coordination for cross sectoral action. The project is progressing well and the funder has indicated strong interest in its outcomes, which indicates a positive starting point for the future. In addition, the project is strengthening the organisation's skills and capacrty in
WOMEN'S PLATFORM LTD (Private company limited by guarantee without share capital) TRUSTEES, REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 consortium working. which are likely to be important in future fundraising in light of the tightening financial environment. In May 2022, Women's Platform secured a two year grant from the Dormant Accounts Fund Northern Ireland to develop communications and enable the organisation to act as an effective support to members and the wider women's sector on international human rights frameworks and international good practice. The grant provides funding for an external communications consultant to lead on communications development, along with funding for communications deliverables. There was an underspend on this project in 2023-24 due to limitations in the capacity of the contractor, which were outside the control of Women's Platform; permission from the funder to reprofile this was sought and granted, with the project extended to June 2025. This delay also enabled more detailed consideration of needs and priorities, and as a result, the reprofiled budget has supported a more precise and detailed operational plan, which is focused on meeting specific information needs in the wider sector and thus strengthen the organisation's role within the sector. This. in turn, has allowed for more effective outreach lo existing and potential members and contributed to identifying long term development needs. Reserves Policy Women's Platform maintains a prudent level of reserves to enable the organisation to deliver the strategic plan. The objective is that the organisation would be able to carry on its work, even if faced with a combination of difficult circumstances, and have the time to adjust its stralegy to meet these changing circumstances. The Committee will continue to monitor compliance with this policy on an annual basis and is actively working to identify funding opportunities that will secure a level of reserves identified as appropriate, while strengthening the organisation's financial resilience as well as its ability to capitalise on opportunities that may arise beyond the core strategic plan. In 2024-25, a decision was made to utilise a proportion of available reserves to support a delegation of two representatives to the UN Commission on the Status of Women conference in New York, following a delegation funded in 2023-24, which successfully strengthened both organisational capacity and international networks, contributing to effectively building the organisation's role within the sector. The trustees undertook a feasibility assessment against a detailed business case setting out a strictly managed budget for this, and determined that authorising this expenditure was prudent and relevant in relation to delivering the strategic plan, specifically in relation to strengthening the organisation's international profile and its Gapacity to act as a platform for women in Northern Ireland at the internalional level. FINANCIAL REVIEW Principal Risks & Uncertainties Risk Policy and Internal Control Framework Women's Platform has put in place a risk management process, which seeks to ensure that the organisation is able to operate effectively in all circumstances. The Committee has primary responsibility for risk management and is undertaking annual risk review with a view to strengthening organisational resilience and ability to effectively monitor, prepare for and react to the main strategic, business and operational risks facing the organisation. Women's Platform has reviewed and updated a risk review, informed by learning from the Covid- 19 crisis, and put in place measures to safeguard the organisation and diversify sources of income in light of an increasingly competitive funding environment. With a core grant in place for 2022-25 and sustained core project funding in place through the Reconciliation Fund grant, the organisation is financially stable for the 2025-26 financial year and focusing on revenue funding
WOMEN'S PLATFORM LTD (Private company limited by guarantee without share capital) TRUSTEES, REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 in line with the strategic plan. Financial Stability The Trustees deem the organisation to be financially stable and a going concem in the current circumstance, with the three year core cost grant from Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust extended to March 2026 and sustainable funding for core projects in place until 2026-27. The additional Reconciliation Fund Strategic Partnership grant, while shared with consortium members who will carry out the majority of concrete work, confirms the role of the organisation within the women's sector and wider civil society in Northern Ireland, and provides a good basis for further developing relationships with the Irish government as a major current funder of activities relevant to the women's sector, as well as identifying additional revenue funding opportunities. The small grant secured through the Northern Ireland Office collaboration on the UK National Action Plan on women, peace and security further highlights the relevance of the organisation in translating high level policy to accessible grassroots level delivery. The Committee has for several years involved a finance sub group to oversee long term financial planning, scrutinise financial management of the organisation and review budgets on an ongoing basis, which also scrutinises governance arrangements and legal compliance. The finance and governance sub group meets at least quarterly, running in tandem with Committee meetings to scrutinise finances and governance issues and provide recommendations regarding financial planning and governance to the Committee. A strategy for ongoing monitoring of funding opportunities is in place, monitored by both the sub group and the Committee at each meeting, and the focus will be on implementing a fundraising strategy focused on securing longer term sustainability and a diversity of income sources. Governance and Management Women's Platform has governance structures and procedures in place to ensure appropriate decision making and implementation. The Committee is the governing body of the organisation and develops strategic plans on a three yearly basis, with annual review alongside ongoing monitoring of operational plans. The focus of review is to ensure the organisalion is able to operate effectively in all circumstances, identify challenges at an early stage and develop a proactive as well as responsive approach to governance. Governance systems and procedures are reviewed on annual basis to ensure effective scrutiny as well as management of the organisation and compliance with legislation and regulations. In 2024-25, focus was on financial security and stability, with a focus on reviewing organisational strategy and focus and adapting to an increasingly competitive and delivery oriented funding environment. Organisational policies were reviewed to ensure compliance with current legislation and good practice, and a number of policies were modernised, including financial procedures and the subsistence policy. Operational and staff policies The personal security of staff and volunteers. as well as the safety of beneficiaries is of the highest priority for Women's Platform. The organisation has comprehensive policies on areas including Data Protection, Privacy and Health and Safety to ensure that this risk is appropriately managed and procedures are in place to monitor and ensure compliance. Clear line management arrangements and robust HR policies are also in place to safeguard staff and volunteers, as well as the organisation as a whole. A staff handbook, which complements contractual obligations for staff and also covers key policies guiding volunteer conduct within the organisation, is in place and reviewed for 10
WOMEN'S PLATFORM LTO (Private company limited by guarantee without share capital) TRUSTEES, REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 compliance with legislation and relevance to good practice on an annual basis. Trustees have lead responsibility for monitoring operational delivery and reports on progress. as well as governance issues. are provided at each meeting. Infomiation Security and Continuity Women's Platform takes data protection, privacy and data security seriously and has put in place policies and procedures designed to ensure a secure environment in relation to data collation, processing and storage. It is dependent on IT and communication systems for proSSIng and storing data in order to operate effectively. To prevent disruption to operations due to damage to systems or unauthorised access to data Women's Plafform has developed robust information and data security measures, which have been reviewed within the financial year in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Data security and effective data management was reviewed in 2024-25 and capacity building on privacy and security measures accessed to build organisational skills in this area. Women's Platform has also reviewed measures in place for remote working and is satisfied that arrangements are of a sufficient standard and information is secure for permanent flexible and hybrid working. FINANCIAL REVIEW Compliance and Regulation Women's Platform takes compliance with legislation and regulation very seriously and appreciates the significant damage to the organisation's reputation that could be caused due to non-compliance with legislation, regulations or codes of best practice. Women's Plafform implements well-established policies and procedures and adheres to the sectorfs recommended codes of practice (such as Slatement of Recommended Practice - SORP) to ensure compliance with applicable regulatory and legal standards. Environmental and External Risks Women's Platform monitors the external environment on an ongoing basis in order to anticipate political. social or economic risks, and undertakes regular review of plans in light of the changing context to ensure that plans can take account of the external environment in a way that minimises any negative impact on organisational activities or the reputation of the Organisation. Strategic review was undertaken during the year in light of the tightening financial environment as well as the changing political context, including global political uncertainty and increased demand for services within unchanged capacity. Focus throughout the year was on adapting the operational plan to meet needs identified in order to ensure the relevance of the organisation within the women's sector, among members, and as a stakeholder in policy and decision making processes. This contributed to positioning the organisation within the sector, and also enabled development of strengthening working relationships with local stakeholders as well as officials in the UK and Irish governments. Engagement with members and partners has underlined that Women's Platfomi and its expertise, international experience and services are required over the longer term, and core activities during the year have demonstrated increased demand for services, underlining Ihe relevance of the organisation to support the sector effectively carry out its role, despite the current funding environment. The vital role of the organisation in sharing international level evidence and information with the wider women's sector has continued to be highlighted, in particular through a developing role for the organisation as a conduit for the women's sector to strengthen advocacy on human rights, access international good practice and engage with UK. Ireland and EU level policy and decision makers. Financial and strategic planning will remain
WOMEN'S PLATFORM LTD (Private company limited by guarantee without share capital) TRUSTEES, REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 focused on ensuring the long term sustainability of the organisation and will involve active identification of ways to ensure sustainability in a changing environment. The consortium approach to the Reconciliation Fund grant is an example of this, and will assist the organisation in positioning itself appropriately for the future and a likely tightening funding environment. FUTURE PLANS Planning for 2025-26 formed a key activity in late 2024-25 and plans include the following: CEDAW Update marketing of training portfolio on CEDAW Build capacity on CEDAW within sector as a mechanism to expand grassroots links and access to relevant evidence Develop CEDAW shadow reporting Clarify arrangements for four nations reporting and develop devolved nations focused four nations reporting with UK sister organisations Continue strengthening relationships with policy and decision makers and understanding of international obligations within CEDAW Engage with policy and decision makers to strengthen inclusion and implemenlation of CEDAW and wider international human rights standards as core principles of decision making Coordinate women's civil society response to other international human rights processes relevant to human rights, eg. through organising evenus to publicise findings of GREVIO assessment of the UK under the Istanbul Convention csw Share learning from CSW69 within the sector to support sectoral capacity Deliver CSW training programme to strengthen capacity on CSW in the sector Support women's sector participation in CSW70; explore options for financing this longer term Submit a statement to CSW70 Build understanding of CSW as core evidence based for decision making Engage with policy and decision makers at local and national level to highlight learning from CSW and advocating for ongoing dialogue Explore mechanisms to participate in wider UN mechanisms for women's rights Participation in CSWTO Contribution to the UK Women's Civil Society Alliance Women, Peace and Securlty Continue to act as secretariat to the Northern Ireland Assembly All Party Group on UN Security Council Resolution 1325. Women, Peace and Security Strengthen the All Party Group as a plafform for grassroots women as well as a conduit to engagement internationally Strengthen links to UK and Irish governments on WPS agenda Lead management and coordinate as well as monitor delivery of Women's Spaces project as Reconciliation Fund Strategic Partnership lead partner Strengthen capacity building to support engagement of young women and minoritised groups in peacebuilding 12
WOMEN'S PLATFORM LTD (Private company limited by guarantee without share capital) TRUSTEES, REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Explore mechanisms lo strengthen international networking on women, peace and security, building on feasibility study completed in March 2025 Participate in relevant national level networks, including the UK wide Gender Action for Peace and Security nebNork (GAPS) Local, national and international collaboration Continue to strengthen role as core sectoral support on international human rights mechanisms Prioritise outreach to groups underrepresented in current projects and membership Build role as liaison between local and international women's organisations and nelworks, to ensure access to effective good practice to support advocacy for gender equality Review UKJCW and develop effective four nations collaboration mechanisms Engage in UKJCW to ensure effective four nations collaboration Contribute to development of shared working across the UK Strengthen collaboration at European level with a view to developing effective information sharing Develop project relevant collaboration with women's organisations in Ireland Continue participation in local working groups and networks relevant to gender equality and human rights, including Nl Women's Budget Group, Reclaim the Agenda and Nl Human Rights Consortium Strengthen engagement in international networks relevant to gender equality Communications Sustain strong social media presence; explore and develop new channels for engagement Develop good practice resources to strengthen sectoral support role Continue delivery of fortnightly newsletter Continue capacity building programmes including monthly webinar series Organisatlonal development Secure organisational sustainability lo 2027-28 and implement fundraising plan focused on diversifying income sources Prioritise outreach and extensive engagement with members and potential members to increase membership and relevant offer to members Strengthen diversity and intersectional practice in organisational structures Undertake Committee skills and needs audit Develop Committee as effective and diverse governing body Continuing Trustee development as part of ongoing governance development Monitor governance and HR legislation and ensure effective compliance and up to date organisational systems 13
WOMEN'S PLATFORM LTD (Private company limited by guarantee without share capital) TRUSTEES, REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing Document The charity is controlled by Articles of Association, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. The Articles of Association were updated in 2021 and are reviewed annually to ensure ongoing relevance and compliance of activities with the Articles. Governance of the Organisation The Committee of Women's Platform is the goveming body of the organisation and meets bimonthly. It is responsible for the strategic direction of the organisation and oversees the management of the organisation. Delivery of the strategic plan and day to day management of operational activities is carried out by the Director, under supervision of and accountable to the Committee. The Director prepares reports in advance of each Committee meeting and performance is managed through bimonthly supeNision meetings. Committee members are appointed according to the specific skills required by the Organisation to fulfil its responsibilities as outlined in its Strategic Plan and are ratified at the AGM. Committee members are nominated by organisations who are full members of Women's Platform and are elected at the Annual General Meeting for a two year period. Office bearers are elected by the Committee from within its number for a two year period, with clear limits to mandates set in the Articles of Association. In addition, the Committee is entitled to co-opt a limited number of Committee members. A full new Committee was elected at the AGM in November 2024, with office bearers elected from within the Committee in December 2025, in line with the Articles of Association.. Committee development and training needs are being monitored on an ongoing basis and strategic development sessions are being integrated into the Committee meeting calendar on an ongoing basis. Full membership of Women's Platform is open to organisations who work primarily or exclusively with women, and full members are entitled to nominate Committee members and vote at Women's Platform general meetings. In addition, Women's Plafform offers associate membership to organisations who work with women as one client group, and to any interested woman as an individual member. Associate and individual members are entitled to attend and speak at general meetings but are not entitled to vote. Membership of Women's Platform is restricted to women aged 16 and over in line with the objects of Women's Platform, which are focused on advancing equality and human rights for women and girls, and promoting equality, diversity and community development. l4
WOMEN'S PLATFORM LTD (Private company limited by guarantee without share capital) TRUSTEES, REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Company number N1041273 (Northern Ireland) Registered with Charlty Commission for Northern Ireland N1108453 Recognised by HMRC as a charity for tax purposes N101117 .Registered'"Office 6 Mount Charles Belfast Co. Antrim BT7 1NZ Trustees as at 31 March 2025 Emma Osborne Aislinn Fanning Chair Vice Chair Anne Mcvicker Jeanette Thornton Karen Devlin Secretary Treasurer European Women's Lobby representative Alexandra Brennan Naomi English Siobhan Harding Alexa Moore Maxine Murphy-Higgins Beverly Simpson Member Member Member Member Member Member Company Secretary Anne Mcvicker STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES The Trustees (who are also the directors of Women's Platform Limited for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which 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 those financial statements, the Trustees are required to 15
WOMEN'S PLATFORM LTD (Private company limited by guarantee without share capital) TRUSTEES, REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently., observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP; make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business. The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statemenls 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. In so far as Ihe Trustees are aware.. there is no relevant audit information of which the independent examiner undertaking the charitable company's examination is unaware,. and the Trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the independent examiner undertaking the charitable company's examination is aware of that information. SCRUTINY OF ACCOUNTS As the organisation's current turnover is under £250,000, current charity legislation allows for independent examination to scrutinise accounts. The decision to undertake independent examination of accounts in 2019-20 was ratified at the AGM 2018 and further Gonfirmed at the AGM 2019. This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. A Li'vid 1710712025 Anne Mcvicker Company Secretary Date 16
WOMEN'S PLATFORM LTD {Private company limited by guarantee without share capital) TRUSTEES, REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF WOMEN'S PLATFORM LTD I report on the financial statements of the company for the year ended 31 March 2025 which are set out on pages 19 and 20. Respective responslbllltles of trustees and examiner The trustees, who are also the directors of the company for the purpose of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. Having satisfied myself that the company is not subject to audit under company law, and is eligible for Independent examination it is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 65 of the Charities Act follow the procedures laid down by 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 my attention. Basi5 of Independent Examiner's report I have examined your charity accounts as required under section 65 of the Charities Act and rnv 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. My examination included a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It was also included consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as charity trustees concerning any such matters. My role is to state whether any material matters have come to my attention glving us cause to believe: That accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006 That the accounts do not accord with those accounting records That the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing the accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland That there is further information needed for a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached Independent examinerfs statement I have completed my examination and have no concerns in respect of the matter5 {1) to {4) listed above and, in connection with following the directions of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, I have found no matters that require drawing to your attention. {a) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements; li) to keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006. and 17
WOMEN'S PLATFORM LTD (Private company limited by guarantee without share capital) TRUSTEES, REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF WOMEN'S PLATFORM LTD (li) to prepare financial statements which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities: have not been met or; {bl to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be re.ached. 17107/2025 Tony Clarke FCPA 53 Andersonstown Road Belfast BTII 9AG Date: 18
WOMEN'S PLATFORM LTD (Privale LOlI)paiiy lirTlited by guarantee without share capital) TRUSTEES, REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCORPORATING THE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT Year to Year to Unrestricted Restrlcted 31-Mar-25 31-Mar-24 Funds Funds TOTAL TOTAL Note Income from: Donations and Legacies: Charitable Activities.. Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust DFA Reconciliation Fund Dormant Accounts Nl General I nterest 56,835 81,533 56.835 81,533 51,667 82,583 18,832 8,945 233 1,147 307 1,147 307 Total Income 1,454 138,368 139,822 162,260 Expenditure on: Charitable Activities 8,798 130,421 139,219 131,040 Total Expenditure: 8,798 130,421 139,219 131,040 Net income/{expenditure) {7.344) 7,947 603 Transfers between funds 8,000 18,000) Net movement In funds 656 (53) 603 31,220 Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward 11 14,362 63,935 78,296 47,077 Total funds carried forward 11 15,018 63,882 78,900 78,297 The statement of financial activities includes all gains and10sses recognised in the year. All incoming resources and resource5 expended derive from continuing activities. The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006. The notes on page 21 to 27 form an integral part of these accounts 19
WOMEN'S PLATFORM LTD (Private company limited by guarantee without share capital) TRUSTEES, REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 202S BALANCE SHEET As at 31 March 2025 2025 2024 Note Fixed Assets Tangible Assets Current Assets Debtors Ca"sh-at-barfk 79,260 78,537 Liabilities Creditors: •mounts fallln8 due wlthin one year 10 (3601 {240 Net Current Assets 78,900 78,297 Net assets 78.900 78,297 Funds Restricted Unrestricted 63,882 15,018 62,376 15.922 TOTAL FUNDS 11 78,900 78.297 The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 31 March 2025. The trustee5 acknowledge their responsibilitie5 for ensuring that the charity keeps accountin8 records which comply with section 386 of the Act and for preparing financial statements which glve a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of the financial year and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the financial year in accordance with the requirements of sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial starements. so far as applicable to the company. The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime. The financial statements were approved by the board directors on 1710712025 and were signed on their behalf by: Anne Mcvicker Company Secretary The notes on page 21 to 27 form an integral part of these accounts 20
WOMEN'S PLATFORM LTD {Private company limited by guarantee without share capital) TRUSTEES, REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS l Accounting policies Charity infomiation Womens Platform Ltd is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in Northern Ireland. The registered office is: 6 Mount Charles, Belfast, BT71 NZ 1.1 Accountlng conventlon The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governin8 document, the Companies Act 2006 and Accounting and Reporting by Charitie5: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparin8 thelr accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 102) (as amended for accounting periods commencing from l January 20191. The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102. The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin I not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows. The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below. 1.2 Going concern At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements. 1.3 Charitable funds Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives unless the funds have been designated for other purposes. Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. 1.4 Incoming resources Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received. 21
WOMEN'S PLATFORM LTD (Private company limited by guarantee without share capitall TRUSTEES, REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS CONTINUED... 1.4 Incoming resources (continued) Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation. Turnover is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable and represents -amounts_receivable for good5 and serv.ices_pr.ov.ided in .the.nor.mal_cou.rsoof..business,. n.et. of. discounts, VAT and other sales related taxes. 1.5 Resources expended Liabilities are recogni5ed as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure. it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measure reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. The charity is below the charity audit threshold and therefore is exempt from reporting expenditure on an activity basis. The charity has opted to report by the nature of expenditure rather than on an activity basis. 1.6 Tan8ible fixed assets Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses. Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases: Fixtures and Fittings 15% on cost Computers 20% on cost 1.7 Cash and cash equlvalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities. 1.8 Financial instruments The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 'Basic Financial Instruments, and Section 12 '0ther Financial Instruments Issues, of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments. Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to contractual provisions of the instrument. Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to rea lise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously 22
WOMEN'S PLATFORM LTD (Private company limited by guarantee without share capital) TRUSTEES, REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS CONTINUED... 1.9 Basic financial assets Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised. 1.10 Basic financial liabilitles Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised. Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method. Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. 1.11 Derecognition of financlal liabilities Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity's contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled. 1.12 Employee beneflts The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee's services are received. Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits. 1.13 Critical accounting estimates and Judgements In the application of the charity's accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods. 23
WOMEN'S PLATFORM LTD (Private company limited by guarantee without share capital) TRUSTEES, REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS CONTINUED... 2 Income from Donations and Le acies 2025 2024 Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds TOTAL TOTAL Donations Totals 2025 Totals 2024 3 Income from Charitable Artivities 2025 2024 Unrestritted Funds Restricted Funds TOTAL TOTAL Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust DFA Reconciliation Fund Dormant Accounts Nl General Interest Totals 2025 56,835 81,533 56,835 81,533 51,667 82,583 18,832 8,945 233 162,260 1,147 307 1,454 1,147 307 138,368 139,822 Totals 2024 9,178 153,082 162,260 4 Staff Costs and Numbers 2025 2024 Gross Wages and Salaries 42,670 42,670 42,636 42,636 No employee received emoluments of more than £60,00012024: Nil) The average monthly number of employees during the year, calculated on the basis of full time equivalents, was as follows: 2025 Number 2024 Number 24
WOMEN'S PIATFORM LTD IPrivate company limited by guarantee without share capital) TRUSTEES, REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 NOTES TOTHE ACCOUNTS CONTINUED... 5 Ex enditure 2025 2024 Charitable Activities Unrestricted Funds Restrirted Funds TOTAL TOTAL Salary Costs Staff travel Telecoms Rent 42,670 20 1,250 3,300 1,366 70 42.670 20 1,250 3,300 1,366 70 1,474 42,636 216 1,400 3,025 1,041 70 Insurance Bank Fees Accountancy Hospitality Project Costs General Expenses Women's Spaces DFA Rec Fund CSW Expenses Dormant Accounts Expenses Totals 2025 120 1,354 1,333 44 987 987 3,656 72,278 5,022 7,125 7,125 130,421 139,219 792 3,6S6 72,278 72,658 3,793 4,031 131,040 5,022 8,798 Totals 2024 3,793 127,247 131,040 6 Related transactions There were payments to organi5ations which two of the Committee members in 2023-24 were related to. Committee members are elected in an individual capacity, but Anne Mcvicker is related to Women's Resource and Development Agency through their paid employment. The conflict of interest is recorded at the beginning of each Committee meeting, and the relevant Committee members do not participate in strategic, Committee level decision making on the relevant project. Additional scrutiny by the Committee is in place for this. The payments related to Women's Spaces, a consortium project Women's Platform is leading with NIRWN, WRDA and Women's Support Network as partners. This project is reported on within the Trustee's report, and payments relate to salaries to two part time project staff, one of whom is located within NIRWN and another with WRDA, as well as project running costs to these two project partners; Women's Support Network also receives running costs as a supporting partner. The consortium arrangement has been in place from project inception and application to the Irish government Reconciliation Fund, who funds this project, and full project reporting is available from 2022-23. 25
WOMEN'S PLATFORM LTD (Private company limited by guarantee without share capital) TRUSTEES, REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS CONTINUED... 6 Related art transactions continued.,. The role of Women's Platform in this project is to act as financial manager, and the project funds are budgeted overarchingly for salaries and project costs, in agreement with the funder. The net benefit to Women's Platform 15 running costs of £5,000 and a core costs payment of £3,000. Women's Platform also rents office space from Women's Resource and Development Agency, at a cost-of-£.3,-300-per"annum-. T-hi5 i5"regulated.through-a'tenancy agreement. 7 Trustees remuneratlon & ex enses During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration (2024 £NIL). During the year, no Trustees received any benefits in kind12024 - £NILI. During the year, no Trustees received any reimbursement of expenses12024- £NIL). 8 Debtors 2025 2024 Trade Debtors Prepayments 9 Inde endent examiner's remuneration The independent Examiner's remuneration amounts to an Independent Examination fee of £360 12024- £240) 10 Credltors: amounts falling due within one year 2025 2024 Accruals & Deferred Income Other Creditors 360 360 240 240 26
WOMEN'S PLATFORM LTD (Private company limited by guarantee without share capital) TRUSTEES, REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 11 Statement of funds - current ear Balance at l April 2024 Transfer in/out Balance at 31 March 2025 Income Expenditure Restrirted funds Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust DFA Reconcil liatiation Dormant Accounts Nl Total restricted funds 10,160 30,328 23,447 63,935 56,835 81,533 (51,0181 {72,278) {8,000) {7,125) 1130,421) (8,000) 15,977 31,584 16,322 63,882 138,368 Unrestricted funds Unrestricted funds Total Unrestricted funds 14,362 14,362 1,454 1,454 (8,798) {8,798) 8,000 8,000 15,018 15,018 Total of funds- current year 78,297 139,822 (139,219) 78,900 12 Statement of fund - rior ear Balance at l April 2023 10,476 36,601 47,077 Income Expenditure Transfer in/out Balance at 31 March 2024 14,362 63,935 78,297 Total unrestricted funds Total restricted funds Total of funds - prior year 9,178 153,082 162,260 {3,793) {1,499) {127,247) 1,499 1131,040) 27