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.
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.
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 Hide areas of operation
Financial Information
Financial Efficiency
Higher than 75% of UK Social welfare charities with income over £10M (sample: 208). How is this calculated?
Higher than 67% of UK Social welfare charities with income over £10M. How is this calculated?
Lower overhead than 66% of UK Social welfare charities with income over £10M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?
Latest Financial Breakdown
Income Sources
Expenditure Categories
Financial Trend
Annual Returns
As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.
| Financial Year | Income | Expenditure | Charitable Spending | Net Assets | Reserves | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | £32,913,000 | £33,033,000 | £32,655,000 | £1,430,000 | £1,397,000 | 469 / 0 |
| 2024 | £32,025,000 | £33,782,000 | £33,517,000 | £1,550,000 | £1,516,000 | 506 / 0 |
| 2023 | £34,969,000 | £35,823,000 | £35,607,000 | £3,307,000 | £4,000,000 | 531 / 0 |
| 2022 | £34,229,000 | £34,514,000 | £34,327,000 | £4,161,000 | £4,000,000 | 561 / 0 |
| 2021 | £39,949,000 | £40,028,000 | £39,853,000 | £4,446,000 | £4,000,000 | 625 / 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 2025?
BBC Media Action reported total income of £32.91m and reported expenditure of £33.03m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.
How efficient is BBC Media Action?
BBC Media Action has a program ratio of 99.2%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 75% of UK Social welfare charities with income over £10M (sample of 208 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.
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 11 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
Wogan House
Portland Place
LONDON
W1A 1AA
Registry Information
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Major UK charities in the same primary sector, drawn from the curated priority cohort.
Trustees
Also governs 2 other charities
Also governs 1 other charity
Sectors & Classifications
Also Known As
- The BBC World Service Training Trust
- The BBC World Service Trust
- BBC Wst
Data & trust
- Register data refreshed
- 14 May 2026
- Methodology
- How metrics are calculated