Euro Charity Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Spending: £3.18 million (2024)
• Total Reserves: £8.14 million
• Founded: 1996
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: India (primary), Malawi, Mozambique, England
• Application Process: No public application process - operates through trustee-selected partner organisations
• Decision Method: Trustee discretion

Contact Details

Address: 20 Brickfield Road, Yardley, Birmingham B25 8HE

Phone: 0121 706 6181

Email: info@eurocharity.org.uk

Charity Number: 1058460

Registered: October 4, 1996

Overview

EURO CHARITY TRUST is a private grant-making trust founded in 1996, operating from Birmingham with substantial assets of £8.14 million in unrestricted reserves. The charity spent £3.18 million on charitable activities in 2024, focusing on helping underprivileged people and communities secure education, health, and sustainable livelihoods. The trust operates primarily through long-term partnerships with selected organisations in India, Malawi, and Mozambique, while also supporting educational and religious organizations in the UK, particularly in the Birmingham area. The charity is led by a small board of three trustees including Dr. Ahmed Jamal Nasir Awan MBE DL, a prominent Birmingham businessman and philanthropist who serves as President of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and Chair of Islamic Relief Pakistan. The trust operates with no paid staff, relying instead on two volunteers and the trustees' extensive networks to identify and support charitable causes.

Funding Priorities

Grant-Making Approach

EURO CHARITY TRUST makes grants to both individuals and organisations, and provides other finance for charitable purposes. The charity does not operate an open grant-making program but rather works with trustees-selected partner organisations and causes. Annual charitable expenditure exceeds £3 million, representing the majority of the charity's overall spending.

Priority Areas

International Development (Primary Focus)

• Relief of poverty, particularly for elderly populations
• Provision of basic necessities and amenities including water, electricity, and medical facilities
• Advancement of education in underserved communities
• Support for sustainable livelihoods in India, Malawi, and Mozambique

UK-Based Support

• Support for students (individual grants)
• Educational organizations, particularly in Birmingham
• Religious organizations and faith-based initiatives
• General charitable purposes at trustee discretion

Known Beneficiaries

The following organisations have received support from EURO CHARITY TRUST:

• ELIM FOURSQUARE GOSPEL ALLIANCE
• IMDADUL MUSLIMEEN
• ROTARY CLUB OF STONE AND DISTRICT TRUST FUND
• ROYAL COMMONWEALTH SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (Sightsavers)
• THE COMMONWEALTH LODGES ASSOCIATION BENEVOLENT FUND

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but the charity's focus on partner organisations in India, Malawi, and Mozambique, combined with selective UK-based grants, suggests that unsolicited applications from organisations outside these geographic areas or without existing relationships are unlikely to be successful.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (3)

Dr. Ahmed Jamal Nasir Awan MBE DL (Chair)

• CEO of Awan Marketing International Ltd.
• Deputy Lieutenant to His Majesty The King's Lord Lieutenant for the West Midlands
• President of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (appointed 2023)
• Visiting Professor at Birmingham City University
• Chair of Islamic Relief Pakistan
• Awarded MBE in 2016 for services to business and international trade
• Served as chair of governors of an inner city school for 20 years
• Described as one of the West Midlands' most successful business figures and prominent philanthropist

Mohammed Yusuf Emtyaz Sattar (appointed 2025)

Riaz Hussein (appointed 2023)

Staffing

• Paid Staff: 0
• Volunteers: 2
• Trustee Remuneration: None - no trustees receive any payments or benefits from the charity

The charity has experienced recent governance changes, with over half the board having joined in the last two years (2023-2025).

How to Apply to Euro Charity Trust

How to Apply

EURO CHARITY TRUST does not have a public application process. The charity operates as a private grant-making trust where trustees identify and select partner organisations and causes to support, rather than accepting unsolicited applications from the general public.

The charity's governing documents give trustees “discretion as to the charities selected,” and all grant-making decisions are made at trustee level based on the board's knowledge of charitable needs and their existing networks, particularly in India, Malawi, Mozambique, and the Birmingham area.

Getting on Their Radar

While there is no formal application process, organisations working in the charity's priority areas may benefit from understanding the trustees' networks and interests:

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce Connection: Dr. Nasir Awan's role as President of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (from November 2023) means that organisations active in the Birmingham business and charity community, particularly those attending Chamber events or engaged in corporate social responsibility initiatives, may have opportunities to build awareness with the trust's leadership.

International Development Networks: Dr. Awan's role as Chair of Islamic Relief Pakistan suggests the trust has strong connections to established international development organisations, particularly those working in South Asia and Africa. Organisations with existing partnerships or reputation in India, Malawi, or Mozambique development sectors may be more likely to come to the trustees' attention.

Faith and Education Links: Given the trust's support for religious and educational organisations, particularly in Birmingham, institutions with connections to faith-based education, inner city schools, or student support programs may align with the trustees' interests. Dr. Awan's 20-year service as chair of governors at an inner city school indicates a long-standing commitment to education in disadvantaged communities.

Birmingham Civic Engagement: As a Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands and prominent civic figure, Dr. Awan operates within Birmingham's charitable and business leadership networks. Organisations with a presence at civic events, Lord Lieutenant's initiatives, or Birmingham-based charitable collaborations may have opportunities for relationship building.

Application Success Factors

Given this is a trustee-discretion trust without public applications, the following factors appear important for organisations that receive support:

Geographic Alignment

The trust has a clear focus on India (described as the primary area for partner organisations), Malawi, Mozambique, and selective UK work in Birmingham. Organisations operating in these specific geographies appear to form the core of the trust's funding portfolio.

Partnership Approach

The charity's stated focus is on “projects with partner organisations” rather than one-off grants. This suggests the trust favors long-term relationships with established organisations that can demonstrate sustained impact and effective use of funds over time.

Education and Poverty Focus

The trust's charitable objects emphasize “advancement of education” and “relief of poverty,” particularly provision of basic necessities (water, electricity, medical facilities). Organisations working at the intersection of education and poverty alleviation, especially those addressing fundamental infrastructure needs, align with core priorities.

Trustee Network Connections

Given the trust's private nature and trustee discretion, organisations that come to the trustees' attention through business networks (Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce), international development circles (Islamic Relief Pakistan connections), or Birmingham's civic and charitable community are more likely to be considered for support.

Faith-Based and Student Support

The trust explicitly mentions supporting “educational and religious organisations” and providing “support to students.” Faith-based initiatives, religious educational institutions, and programs providing direct student support (particularly in Birmingham) appear to be funded areas.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is not an open grant-maker: EURO CHARITY TRUST does not accept unsolicited applications and operates through trustee-selected partner organisations. Traditional grant applications are not appropriate for this funder.

• Focus on relationship building, not applications: Organisations wishing to be considered should focus on building awareness within the trust's networks (Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, Birmingham civic circles, international development sector) rather than preparing grant proposals.

• Geographic specificity matters: The trust has a clear focus on India, Malawi, Mozambique, and selective UK work in Birmingham. Organisations outside these areas are unlikely to be considered.

• Long-term partnerships over one-off grants: The trust describes working with “partner organisations,” suggesting they favor sustained relationships with established charities rather than project-specific funding.

• Substantial capacity but selective giving: With £8.14 million in reserves and £3.18 million annual spending, the trust has significant financial capacity but exercises high selectivity through trustee discretion, limiting the number of beneficiaries.

• Faith, education, and development nexus: Organisations working at the intersection of faith-based work, education advancement, and international development (particularly addressing basic necessities in underserved communities) align best with the trust's stated purposes and trustee interests.

• Birmingham connections valuable for UK organisations: For UK-based charities, Birmingham connections and engagement with the city's business and civic leadership may provide pathways to trustee awareness, though this alone does not guarantee funding.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Ganco Charitable Foundation
• N And R Karnani Trust
• The 3 Ts Charitable Trust
• Thurmaston Educational Trust
• Ps Foundation
• The Kiawah Charitable Trust
• The Grassroots Trust
• H C D Memorial Fund
• The Friendly Hand
• Ida Davis Family Foundation

References

• Charity Commission for England and Wales, “EURO CHARITY TRUST - Charity Overview (1058460),” https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/1058460

• Giving is Great, “EURO CHARITY TRUST Charity Factsheet,” https://givingisgreat.org/database/charity-factsheet/?regNo=1058460

• Fundraiso, “EURO CHARITY TRUST,” https://www.fundraiso.com/en/organisations/euro-charity-trust

• Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, “CEO Stories: Nasir Awan - How faith, family and determination helped me survive in business,” https://www.greaterbirminghamchambers.com/resource/ceo-stories-nasir-awan-how-faith-family-and-determination-helped-me-survive-in-business.html

• West Midlands Lieutenancy, “Dr Nasir Awan MBE DL,” https://wmlieutenancy.org/staff/dr-nasir-awan-mbe-dl/

• OpenCharities, “EURO CHARITY TRUST,” http://opencharities.org/charities/1058460

• Charity Commission Annual Returns and Accounts for EURO CHARITY TRUST (1058460), years ending December 2020, 2021, and 2024