AzuKo Annual Report 2019/20

AZUKO Annual Report

2019/20

3

AzuKo Trustees’ Annual Report 2019/20

CONTENTS 5 Objectives & activities 6 Achievements & performance 22 Education & outreach 24 Financial review 25 Plans for the future 25 Structure, governance & management 27 Reference & administrative details Declaration 27

MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO The final weeks of our 2019/20 financial year saw the outbreak of COVID-19, a new strain of coronavirus, affecting people across the globe. It was immediately clear that the charity sector would be hit hard and that the communities we serve both in Bangladesh and the UK would become increasingly vulnerable. It was also clear that our work has never been more needed.

I’m so proud of the way AzuKo has responded, providing critical aid, alongside our programmes to build resilience in the face of a changing climate. We continue to support people, particularly women, to be design leaders in their own homes, communities and cities. COVID-19 has brought new challenges to the way we operate. We’re innovating and adapting to this new normal. We’re more conscious than ever of how we raise money and how we squeeze positive impact out of every pound.

I want to thank everyone who has and continues to donate, support and champion AzuKo. You make our work possible. Together we are building a fairer world for all.

Jo Ashbridge, Founder & CEO, AzuKo

5

AzuKo Trustees’ Annual Report 2019/20

OBJECTIVES & ACTIVITIES The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone is entitled to an adequate standard of living. Yet, 729 million people in extreme poverty, today – without access to safe shelter, basic infrastructure, clean water and sanitation.

We’re a community of designers, architects and researchers dedicated to designing a better world. We build safe, clean, dignified spaces, in collaboration with communities.

Good design improves lives, and should be accessible to all.

WHAT WE BELIEVE Vision

Mission

We dream of a just world, in which every person enjoys the right to dignified living conditions

To design with disadvantaged communities and empower them to create the world they dream of

Values Empowerment • Participation • Commitment

OUR CHARITABLE PURPOSES - WHAT WE’RE SET UP TO ACHIEVE — — — —

urban/rural regeneration in areas of deprivation develop the capacity and skills of disadvantaged communities promote sustainable development advance education in public interest design

When planning the activities for the year the Trustees and CEO have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit (PB1 / PB2 / PB3), and the specific guidance related to AzuKo: — The Advancement of Education for the Public Benefit — The Promotion of Community Capacity Building — Promotion of Rural and Urban Regeneration This annual report looks back at our work in 2019/20 and how we delivered against our strategy and objectives, as well as plans for the future.

6

Projects

ACHIEVEMENTS & PERFORMANCE AzuKo builds places to live, work and play that help rather than hinder, that protect and provide. We ran several programmes throughout the year in both Bangladesh and the UK, which can be broadly split between projects and education/outreach.

We support people in socially and economically disadvantaged sections of society and use poverty measurement tools, including the Poverty Probability Index (PPI) to ensure we serve those in most need.

BUILD FOR SAFETY TRAINING Sundarban, Bangladesh

We train women to build safe and secure homes in an area of Bangladesh that suffers from floods, storms and tremors. We focus on providing low investment-high impact techniques including cross-bracing, bamboo treatment and pad foundations. We work with extreme poor households, 78% are actively looking to make home improvements, although the majority express they do not have money to make big changes.

This year we trained 71 women in Sundarban Union.

Trainees ranged from 16 to 63 years old.

On average, they live with five members of their extended family in katcha (non-durable) homes with earth floors, bamboo/jute stick walls and thatch roofs, or semi-pucca (semipermanent) homes with part-fired brick walls and corrugated iron sheet roofs. In the face of a growing number of natural hazards, we need to build back better. This is an ongoing training programme, which we aim to expand in 2021.

“Our house is made of mud, and is damaged by the rain. We’re planning to make improvements but we don’t have money for bricks. Now I’m thinking to use mud cement blocks.”

Shapla (trainee / Sundarban, Bangladesh)

98%

of women felt more confident in design and construction having attended training

100%

felt skills learned will help improve their home

32%

implemented at least one improved building technique within three months. of the remaining, over threequarters are saving to do so

8

Projects

SLUM UPGRADING IN JOGEN BABU MAATH Dinajpur City, Bangladesh

We’ve been working with Jogen Babu Maath (JBM), a 250+ person community, in northwest Bangladesh since 2012. JBM suffers from limited access to public services, tenure insecurity, poor housing materials, densely crowded and unsanitary conditions.

This long-term slum upgrading project is driven by the belief that incremental improvements to shelter, infrastructure and living standards, gradually incorporate slums into city development. In 2014 we supported a democratic election to form a committee which acts as a representative body for JBM, and with which we design and deliver the work.

“An important thing that has changed among us is our capacity for collaboration.

Now after we formed this committee… there is a sense of togetherness.”

Rozy (resident / JBM, Bangladesh)

9

AzuKo Trustees’ Annual Report 2019/20

To date, double-storey bamboo houses, a bamboo and rammed earth community centre, infrastructure improvements, planting schemes and a sanitation and shower facility have been realised with the support of local and international volunteers. Hard and soft skills developed by committee members through working with AzuKo include:

purchasing, planning, risk management, leadership, teamwork and communication.

This year we’ve supported the committee to manage and maintain these communal assets.

We’ll continue to work with JBM throughout 2020/21 to improve living conditions.

10

Projects

Big dreams for her community: Rita’s story Rita* arrived in Dinajpur following the Liberation War in 1971. She married at the age of 13 and experienced nine years of married life, before she became a widow.

Soon after, she felt under pressure to remarry and fled her home in Gaibanda. Life was tough raising two children as a single parent, however Rita turned her hand to many things to put food on the table – working at the local rice mill factory, as a day labourer in construction and selling bangles door-to-door. As a woman in a man’s worlds, she frequently received verbal abuse from male co-workers.

Rita has been resident of Jogen Babu Maath for two decades, after hearing the government was providing land for the extreme poor. She now lives with her son and his wife, her daughter and grandson in a two storey bamboo and earth house which was built during phase one of the JBM upgrading project. She is no longer the sole income earner and contributes 50-70 BDT (£0.42 - £0.59) per day, by rolling poppadoms.

Although JBM has come a long way, Rita believes more needs to be done to improve the community. It’s dense, unhygienic and they are experiencing ongoing difficulties with drainage. Rita has big dreams. She wants all her neighbours to live in a two storey house, so that they can have more space to breathe. She dreams of cleaner streets, improved education for children, and increased employment opportunities so that people can better their own lives. Rita dreams of a day without poverty. (*name changed)

11

AzuKo Trustees’ Annual Report 2019/20

HEART OF THE HOME Rangpur, Bangladesh

There’s been significant progress over the last decade in improving housing standards of the poor. But one space is lagging behind – the kitchen. Lack of design and investment in this part of the home has serious consequences. In Bangladesh, exposure to indoor air pollution results in nearly 107,000 deaths every year, mostly women and children, who also bear much of the burden of collecting firewood or other traditional fuels. There are strong links between earthen floors and diarrhoeal disease, and COVID-19 has shone a light on the urgent need for access to clean water, improved sanitation and hygiene.

There’s not a simple solution. We’ve been working with women in northwest Bangladesh to understand this complex issue, the myriad of challenges they face, their needs now and in future, their hopes and dreams.

“We have very young children and when I’m cooking I have to bring them in the kitchen.

They try to touch the pots and other hot things which is a problem. I know some children in the village who have suffered really bad burns.”

Bithi (resident / Rangpur, Bangladesh)

We’ve held female focus groups with over 100 women, hosted 15 in-depth interviews and conducted housing surveys, built a prototype kitchen and led 12 kitchen design workshops.

We aim to create a pilot programme which offers a ‘suite’ of low-cost improvements, designed and delivered by women in their own homes. Key aspects will include training in environmental design i.e. where to place windows to encourage cross ventilation, building improvements e.g. cement floors, and local champions to test and advocate products which improve health and wellbeing.

15

AzuKo Trustees’ Annual Report 2019/20

JAAGO PLAYSPACE Sundarban, Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, access to quality education in rural areas is limited. However, JAAGO Foundation is working hard to overcome this. They’ve introduced the concept of ‘online schools’ where a rural classroom is connected via video to a qualified teacher in the capital Dhaka.

They approached AzuKo to design and build an innovative playground at their Dinajpur school that will extend the classroom and create life-long development opportunities for current students and future generations. Research shows that play is crucial for children’s development, and their longterm success. It builds confidence, creativity, communication and critical thinking skills. It contributes to greater achievement at school and higher rates of employment and salaries after graduation.

“Play is so important.

Children learn through play, through doing. It is freedom. They need more spaces to be free.”

Reka (student’s mother / Sundarban, Bangladesh)

Play has the power to transform lives. It not only impacts a child’s development, but sets off a chain reaction benefiting teachers, families and the wider community.

We’ve undertaken a needs assessment and feasibility study, prepared the concept and design in collaboration with the students, teachers and JAAGO team.

We’re now at the developed design stage, and engaging with students as part of our plan to examine the impact this has on their education.

16

Projects

17

AzuKo Trustees’ Annual Report 2019/20

The transformational power of play: Nishi’s story Nishi*, aged 6, never misses school but rarely speaks in class. His teachers recognise that his challenging history affects his ability to participate and channel his energy appropriately. He’s introverted, doesn’t play with the other students during break time and hides at the back of the class.

Before joining JAAGO school Nishi lived between several homes, suffering physical and emotional abuse at the hands of his parents, both of whom were experiencing mental illness. The acute level of poverty meant there was not enough food to go around, and Nishi often went without. When his father didn’t return, his mother’s condition worsened and the family sought a witch doctor for help, until one day she took her own life.

Nishi now lives with his uncle; it was their dream for Nishi to attend JAAGO to give him an opportunity to be a child once again. He’s in a supportive environment but struggles in school.

Educational spaces play a fundamental role for children to create social networks, improve behaviour and heal any psychological trauma they might have experienced. Play and sport help children to cope, release stress and develop their imagination. The playground will be a space for Nishi to make sense of the world around him. A place to feel free. (*name changed)

PREDICTING HOMELESSNESS London, UK

We completed our 18-month project with the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (LBBD), conducting research within the Borough to better understand why people end up homeless. The insights complemented ‘big data’ collected by the Borough’s Insights and Innovation team to shape solutions to homelessness and other issues affecting their most vulnerable residents.

Our work presents the complexity of people’s experiences with homelessness. From psychological needs to the physical experience in the service space, the findings give colour to the core data.

“Working with the AzuKo has been brilliant because they’ve been a critical friend of ours and that has helped us highlight new techniques that we can scale and deploy ourselves.”

19

AzuKo Trustees’ Annual Report 2019/20

“The work was done specifically around homelessness, but we have issues in the Borough on areas such as debt, areas such as neglect and unemployment… the team is now using the qualitative insights as a blueprint to tackle some of those other issues too.”

Pye (Head of Insights & Innovation at LBBD, UK)

20

Projects

CORONAVIRUS EMERGENCY RESPONSE Dinajpur, Bangladesh

On 12 March, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. It’s affecting people across the globe but it’s undoubtedly hitting the most vulnerable in our societies the hardest – those with limited access to healthcare, support and protection.

We’ve been working in Bangladesh for many years and are well placed to deliver efficient and effective support. In 2019/20, in collaboration with our local partner SAFE, we have:

delivered vital hygiene supplies to 1,655 families without access to the basics — soap, sanitiser, disinfectant, face masks and other PPE

reached 15,000+ with our virus prevention campaign (sharing information for how to keep safe) via mobile announcement rickshaws, leaflets and community banners

We’re working in one of the poorest areas – Sundarban Union – and looking to expand our efforts across Dinajpur District, which has been categorised as a red zone due to the rising number of cases. Our work focuses on preventing and reducing the risk of infection.

We’ll protect those living below the poverty line throughout this crisis, as they have no safety net. Over the coming months we’ll adapt our services to respond to changing needs, using our design skills to reach vulnerable groups.

trained our frontline staff and heads of 14 wards in best practice, including hand washing techniques and dispelling myths and rumours

provided PPE for our frontliners

“Soap, sanitiser, masks. It is a huge help for us as right now we don’t have money. Luckily we know the charity, and they never forget us.”

Ronjita (resident / Sundarban, Bangladesh)

21

AzuKo Trustees’ Annual Report 2019/20

22

Education

EDUCATION & OUTREACH We continue to participate in global discussions around ‘humanitarian architecture’ and operate as a champion for the sector. Our events reached 450+ people. Highlights: — Creating a ‘Designathon’ to inspire globally responsible engineering at University College London (UCL) — Featuring in the award-winning ‘Bengal Stream’ exhibition in the German Architecture Museum of Frankfurt for our work with Jogen Babu Maath — Hosting a public workshop to design spaces that heal, in collaboration with award-winning architecture firms Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios and Amos Goldreich Architecture

“Thank you for last night’s event. I really came away with a broader perspective on regenerative design... what a truly multidisciplinary task it is to create healthy and regenerative spaces for all. I’m bowled over by AzuKo and the incredible and humbling work you are doing.”

Katie (Director, Studio 31 Landscape Architects, UK)

— Sharing our work with Universities including the Royal College of Art (RCA) in the UK and Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University in Bangladesh, as well as notable architecture and engineering firms — Joining the jury for the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Norman Foster Travelling Scholarship to award architecture research — Hosting an event for International Women’s Day to highlight inspirational women in the field of social impact design — Holding regular meetups with our network to share learnings

23

AzuKo Trustees’ Annual Report 2019/20

VOLUNTEERING CONTRIBUTION We’d like to thank all our volunteers who continue to champion AzuKo, from sharing their skills to promoting our work. We may be small, but together we are mighty.

CREATIVE FUNDRAISING Our supporters have hosted events and set personal challenges, such as marathons, to increase awareness and help raise vital funds. We’re humbled by the generosity.

In December we ran our first match-funding campaign as part of the Big Give Christmas Challenge. We exceeded our target, engaging with regular and new donors; winning the award for ‘Best Example of Planning & Supporter Engagement’.

IMPACT-DRIVEN AzuKo aspires to be a positive agent of social, environmental and economic change. We measure our impact to help us understand and evidence our work is resulting in positive change. The insights allow us to adapt our approaches.

“AzuKo does our type of work. We share the same vision. Their approach is needed not just in Bangladesh, but all over the world..”

Apu (Project Manager at Simple Action For the Environment, Bangladesh)

We see ourselves as a learning organisation, constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of the communities we serve, and the environment around us.

Design is a tool to create spaces that enrich, enlighten and heal. But more than that, design connects people – it empowers. And that’s exactly what AzuKo aims to achieve.

FINANCIAL REVIEW Our principal sources of funds this year have been individual giving, followed by grants and corporate donations. Additional funds have been raised through contract income and events. We hold cash at bank of £32,051 at the year end.

AzuKo does not have a reserves policy. The funds are assigned to running costs and specific projects and will be spent over the project life cycle. Large expenditures are foreseen for the latter stages of our projects in the form of builds and this is reflected in our budgeting.

The pandemic brings a level of uncertainty around the future funding landscape for the charity sector. The Trustees and CEO believe AzuKo occupies a niche and is wellregarded. The figures show a fair financial position with a solid fundraising strategy in place, so that the charity’s ability to continue is not threatened. We’ll assess the situation, with regular meetings and financial reviews over the coming months.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT We operate out of Collective Auction Rooms in London. AzuKo benefits from the use of this co-working space free of charge alongside access to facilities and equipment, including desks, wireless IT connectivity, meeting rooms and associated utility costs.

As a member of the Collective we can connect with nonprofits and creative businesses.

25

AzuKo Trustees’ Annual Report 2019/20

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE Our focus remains on Bangladesh and the UK. We plan to continue our long-term projects, with an increasing drive to support women as design leaders in their communities. Poverty is not gender neutral – discrimination means that women have far fewer resources to cope. We strongly believe that women’s empowerment, particularly in the built environment, leads to society’s advancement.

We’re developing an ‘Ethics in Humanitarian Architecture’ programme to inspire the next generation of social impact designers, share our knowledge and expertise. This incomegenerating programme will contribute to the charity’s financial sustainability.

We intend to grow and diversify our core team, board of Trustees and advisors. We want to encourage our network of supporters to fundraise and advocate for our work. We aim to grow funding from trusts and foundations and explore new opportunities for collaboration with organisations which share our vision for an equitable world.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT AzuKo is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and registered charity in England and Wales, no.

1156354. Our constitution (foundation) was adopted on 20 March 2014.

New Trustees are appointed by the board via a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting. In selecting individuals for appointment, the Trustees have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective governance of AzuKo. The Trustees acknowledge that working in potentially insecure environments brings risks to staff members and programmes. A comprehensive security framework including policies, procedures, training and pre-deployment briefing ensures all staff are aware of the risks involved and appropriate management systems are in place.

27

AzuKo Trustees’ Annual Report 2019/20

REFERENCE & ADMINISTRATION DETAILS Charity name AzuKo Registered charity number 1156354 Principal address Collective Auction Rooms, 5-7 Buck Street London, NW1 8NJ Trustees Current board members at FYE, 30 April 2020: — Shannon Bradley — Radwa Rostom — Julie Christie-Webb — Max Barber, Treasurer (part year, appointed 11 Sep 2019) Board members within reporting period: — Thomas Smith, Treasurer (part year, resigned 11 Sep 2019) Chief Executive

— Jo Ashbridge

DECLARATION The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the Trustees: Date

17 February 2021

Full name

Radwa Rostom

Position

Trustee

Signature

Trustees’ Annual Report 1 May 2019 - 30 April 2020 AzuKo is a CIO and registered charity in England and Wales (no. 1156354) at Collective Auction Rooms, 5-7 Buck Street, London, NW1 8NJ, United Kingdom azuko.org