Volunteer teacher, mentor and student
Paul Wambugu/Obscuramedia

Annual report

This year, many of the global COVID-19 pandemic restrictions were gradually lifted. For countries and communities already facing considerable challenges, there is a huge job to be done to make up lost ground in health, education, and livelihoods.

 

Download the 2022-23 annual report (PDF, 16.8 MB)

Our year in numbers

7,786

7,786 people volunteered with VSO, working with communities in 35 countries.

Our volunteering for development approach

10.9 million

10.9 million people were reached, including nearly 7.4 million indirectly and over 3.5 million directly.

Our work

2022-23 financial review

In 2022/23, our income levels increased after two years of sharp decline as we have successfully diversified our donor portfolio. The decline of the past two years followed the decrease in institutional donor funding during COVID-19 and a significant reduction in FCDO funding subsequent to the ending of the International Citizen Scheme (ICS) in February 2021 and the grant received to fund VfD programmatic work. Although FCDO remains a significant income source, the overall proportion has decreased in 2022/23 from 43% to 32% (of which the FCDO ACTIVE grant represents 22%). Diversifying our donor portfolio remains a key objective as we enter 2023/24.

Our total income for the year was £40.4 million, and our total spend on charitable activities was £34.1 million.

We are immensely proud of what we have achieved over the last year. This is only possible with your support. There is still so much work to do if we are to meet the Sustainable Development Goals. With your help, we can be confident about fulfilling our plans by working to create a fair world for everyone."

Philip Goodwin
Chief Executive Officer

Income

Expenditure

A farmer standing next to their harvested crops

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Stories from our year

Vanessa outside her home
VSO/Paul Wambugu

The women turning waste into wages on Kenya’s dumpsites

In Nairobi, Kenya, waste pickers are working every day, cleaning up their communities by picking waste and taking it to recycling centres. Women waste pickers, like Vanessa, earn little for their essential work, and face abuse from residents who see their jobs as ‘dirty'.

Timina in the classroom.

“Having volunteers who come from the community is so important because they understand the challenges”

Timina is a passionate Inclusive Education Advisor on the ACTIVE project in Kenya. Hear how she's helping the Makueni County community to embrace inclusive practices.

Lucy Asewe with children

‘’My goal is to create lasting change, create resilience and fight for those who don't have voices"

Lucy Asewe is an Inclusive Education Adviser on the ACTIVE project in Kenya. Hear how she's helping children with disabilities to receive a fair education