The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2023.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and "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 2019).
The charity's objects are the preservation, conservation and restoration of the environment, with regard to the protection of vulnerable mountain systems in Southern Africa (Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe) and their ability to provide water catchment services to millions of people. The policies adopted in furtherance of these objects are:
Purchasing, installing and maintaining international standard scientific equipment and research infrastructure to enable long-term social-ecological research and data collection;
Using this data to improve sustainable mountain development policy-making and conservation programmes at national and regional levels;
Supporting growth of the community of practice of mountain scientists in southern Africa.
There has been no change in these during the year.
The trustees have given due consideration to the Charity Commission's published guidance on the Public Benefit requirement under the Charities Act 2011 in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
The Charity's activities within each area during the year and up to date of signing this report have been as follows:
Purchasing, installing and maintaining international standard scientific equipment and research infrastructure to enable long term social-ecological research and data collection.
The trustees pitched plans to high net worth individuals, UK and African corporates and raised £34,114 including Gift Aid (2022 - £55,895) during the year to 30 June 2023.
The charity successfully installed two items of hydro-meteorological monitoring equipment (Campbell Science model: WX-Pro) in two locations of Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe: One in Seldom Seen Eco-Lodge, Bvumba Mountains and the second in Nyanga National Park.
The charity set up two data portals so that the data generated from our two sites can be made available to anyone who needs it.
Generating data which can be collected and distributed to interested parties to ultimately improve sustainable mountain development policy-making and conservation programmes at national and regional levels.
The data that our weather stations generate is uploaded automatically to the portal. Here you can see air temperature, wind speed and direction, atmospheric pressure, humidity, rainfall and evaporation. The information updates every two minutes. The historical data is also available to download - a set of hourly or daily figures.
Our Bvumba Mountain Portal
AMRF's data will illuminate how climate change is degrading the vital mountain systems of the semi-arid SADC region. It is available on an open access basis to interested parties including national governments and meteorological offices, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation, UNESCO, universities from across the SADC and the rest of the world and international research organisations such as the Mountain Research Initiative.
The data we are generating in Zimbabwe are being used by the following organisations:
Zim Parks are using our data to improve the conservation policies in the National Parks of Zimbabwe.
Meteorological Services Department of Zimbabwe. They have had no weather data from the eastern part of the country for many years.
Global Climate Hazards Centre (CHC) at UC Santa Barbara. They produce the CHIRPS Gridded rainfall dataset, one of the key datasets used by the United States Agency for International Development's (USAID) Famine Early Warning System network (FEWS NET) to monitor and provide early warning and analysis on acute food insecurity around the world.
The Trans-African Hydro-Meteorological Observatory (TAHMO). TAHMO has 650 low level basic weather stations so we make our data available to be shared on their platform for their users.
Tikki Hywood Foundation are using our data to see if the ant population, species and density correlates with weather changes as well as predator numbers.
Friends of Bvumba Mountains are using the data for their schools education programme.
Supporting the growth of the community of practice of mountain scientists across Southern Africa.
The charity established a strategic partnership with Planet Labs. As a result, Planet will donate, at no cost, a Department Licence worth USD$ 15,000 per annum to the Afromontane Research Unit. This will enable more than hundred scientists from across the region to access 15Tb of Planet's satellite-generated geospatial data.
The charity worked closely with strategic partners in Zimbabwe to help make the installation of our two Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) possible. This included Zim Parks, Campbell Science Africa, who provided all the hydro meteorological equipment. Seldom Seen Eco Tourist Lodge, Muvmba Security who are securing our two sites, Aquamet Technical Installation, Eaton and Young Insurance who are currently insuring our two sites.
The charity also entered into a strategic partnership with the Trans African Hydro-Meteorological Observatory (TAHMO). They have developed a network of 650 low level hydro-meteorological monitoring stations in sub-Saharan Africa and they are interested in our high elevation data. All their stations are placed in schools. The data from our two Zimbabwe sites is now being shared on their network. The partnership means that we can share our resources such as technical support, expertise, they can act as our importing partner and help us establish a simpler, more strategic way of sharing our data.
The charity built academic network across Zimbabwe and Malawi entering into strategic partnerships with South Africa; hosted two virtual roundtables including representatives from the Mulanje Mountain Conservation Trust, Zimbabwe National Parks, Lilongwe Wildlife Trust and Royal Botanical Gardens Kew; had bilateral meetings with over 25 conservation organisations from across Africa, Europe and America, including The Peregrine Fund: Madagascar Project, Peace Parks Foundation, Africa and Madagascar Program, Bvumba Botanical Gardens and WWF to name a few.
Miscellaneous
The charity raised awareness and briefed government and business leaders in the UK about the lack of climate data available in the Southern African Mountains.
The charity launched on Twitter (@AfricanMT), which has so far attracted 225 followers and created a website (www.africanmountainresearch.com).
The charity has total reserves of £48,126 (2022 - £35,243) of which £17,321 are free reserves at 30 June 2023. The trustees will keep the level of reserves held by the charity under review.
It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six months operating expenditure. The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year.
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and was given charitable status on 1 June 2020.
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
New trustees are appointed by the current trustees.
None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of African Mountain Research Foundation (the charity) for the year ended 30 June 2023.
As the trustees of the charity (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (the 2006 Act).
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
African Mountain Research Foundation is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Poores Cottage, Pewsey, Wiltshire, SN9 6HB. Poores Cottage, Wilsford, Pewsey, Wiltshire, SN9 6HB.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's [governing document], the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "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 2019). 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 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. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
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.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
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:
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
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.
The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other 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 the 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 realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
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.
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.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
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.
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
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.
Charitable Expenditure
Travelling
Site security costs
Administration costs
Bank charges
Insurance
Employment costs relate to payments made to Mrs C Hickman, wife of the main trustee, for her services to the charity.
No other trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year other than those already included in note 7.