2016 was an outstanding year for TFN International and we’re immensely grateful to all of our fantastic affiliates for their hard work and dedication. From raising £80,000 from eight events in 2012, this year we raised nearly £800,000 from 55 events in nine countries – totalling an incredible £2.7million from events outside of the UK and Ireland. This year, 6000 people donated at events from Slovakia to New Zealand, supporting 187 grassroots social change projects. We saw two events in Poland for the first time, and many new groups came on board in Romania and Bulgaria, which collectively now have 23 organisations regularly using the TFN model.

But while raising funds is hugely important and we’re very proud of our affiliates’ achievements, it’s not the most important part. In countries from Serbia to Australia, TFN’s model is helping civil society organisations to address need and advocate for change, often regarding issues which are locally unpopular such as LGBTI rights in Bulgaria, access to education for Roma children in Hungary, and increasingly across the board, the treatment of displaced people. TFN’s model provides not only a way to raise funds, but a platform to challenge accepted ideas and build trust amongst communities. We are delighted to see so many people around the world using it as a tool for long-lasting change.