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BBC Media Action

Also known as: The BBC World Service Training Trust, The BBC World Service Trust, BBC Wst

BBC Media Action uses media and communication to reduce poverty and promote human rights, thereby enabling people to build better lives. We work in more than 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East and Central Asia. We have three main thematic areas: health, governance and humanitarian, and two subsidiary areas: education/livelihoods and climate.

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Activities & Mission

BBC Media Action uses media and communication to reduce poverty and promote human rights, thereby enabling people to build better lives. We work in more than 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East and Central Asia. We have three main thematic areas: health, governance and humanitarian, and two subsidiary areas: education/livelihoods and climate.

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Areas of Operation

Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.

Show all 28 areas of operation

Financial Information

Latest Income
£30,279,000
Latest Expenditure
£30,298,000

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 98.0%
% of income going directly to charitable activities
Overall Efficiency 97.9%
% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)
Administrative Ratio 2.1%
Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £5,372,000
Charitable Activities £24,649,000
Other Trading £216,000
Investments £42,000
Other Income £0

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £29,671,000
Raising Funds £627,000
Governance £0
Grants to Institutions £0
Other Expenditure £0

Financial Trend

Annual Returns

As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2026.

Financial YearIncomeExpenditureCharitable SpendingNet AssetsReservesStaff
2026
£30,279,000
£30,298,000£29,671,000£1,411,000£3,500,000468 / 0
2025
£32,913,000
£33,033,000£32,655,000£1,430,000£1,397,000469 / 0
2024
£32,025,000
£33,782,000£33,517,000£1,550,000£1,516,000506 / 0
2023
£34,969,000
£35,823,000£35,607,000£3,307,000£4,000,000531 / 0
2022
£34,229,000
£34,514,000£34,327,000£4,161,000£4,000,000561 / 0

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about BBC Media Action

What does BBC Media Action do?

BBC Media Action uses media and communication to reduce poverty and promote human rights, thereby enabling people to build better lives. We work in more than 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East and Central Asia. We have three main thematic areas: health, governance and humanitarian, and two subsidiary areas: education/livelihoods and climate.

How much income did BBC Media Action report in 2026?

BBC Media Action reported total income of £30.28m and reported expenditure of £30.30m for the financial year ending 2026, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

When was BBC Media Action registered as a charity?

BBC Media Action was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 23 June 1999 as charity number 1076235. It has been registered for 27 years.

Who runs BBC Media Action?

BBC Media Action is governed by a board of 10 trustees. The chair of trustees is Professor Myles Antony Wickstead. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does BBC Media Action operate?

BBC Media Action operates across 28 areas, including Afghanistan, Algeria, Armenia and 25 others. The full list is shown on its profile.

Is BBC Media Action a registered charity?

Yes — BBC Media Action is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1076235.

Details

Contact (address, email, phone)
Registration Date
23 June 1999
Status
Registered

Registry Information

Organisation Number
3952578
Charity Number
1076235

Trustees

Professor Myles Antony Wickstead Chair
Hannah Jones
James Mark Brady
Jonathan Mark Zilkha
Julia Ruth Rank
Lindsey North
Also governs 2 other charities
Naomi Wass Ms
Nicholas James Pickles
Rhodri Talfan Davies
Shirley Cameron
Also governs 1 other charity

Also Known As

  • The BBC World Service Training Trust
  • The BBC World Service Trust
  • BBC Wst

Data & trust

Register data refreshed
2 November 2026
Report a data issue