Partnership with Alison to Launch Financial Literacy Courses

Naomh Breandan Credit Union (Loughrea, Co. Galway) and Donore Credit Union (Dublin 8) are two likeminded, community-based credit unions that have announced a new partnership with Alison, a global social enterprise with a mission to democratise education. Alison already empowers more than 45 million learners across 193 countries and now, this collaboration will focus on developing financial literacy courses tailored to the needs of Irish communities.

Financial literacy remains a critical issue in Ireland. Findings from the OECD/INFE International Survey of Adult Financial Literacy reveal that 43% of Irish adults do not meet the minimum OECD standard, while 44% also lack basic digital financial literacy. The Department of Finance’s National Financial Literacy Strategy 2025–2029 identifies Credit Unions as key stakeholders in addressing this challenge.

The negative impacts of financial illiteracy are far-reaching, from poor decision-making and limited retirement readiness, to vulnerability to frauds/scams, higher stress levels and growing inequality.

David McAuley CEO of Donore Credit Union shared the following statement; “At Donore Credit Union, we are proud to collaborate on this important initiative. Our mission has always gone beyond providing financial services, it’s about creating real social value for our community. In 2020, we led the first Social Return on Investment Study in the Irish credit union movement to show the positive impact of our work in the community. Partnering on the development of financial literacy courses is a natural progression, ensuring we equip people with the knowledge and confidence to thrive financially.”

Through this initiative, Donore Credit Union and Naomh Breandan Credit Union aim to act as Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Ambassadors, promoting practical, community-focused education that supports wellbeing and resilience.

Mike Feerick, the founder of Alison said the following about the partnership: “Alison and Ireland’s Credit Unions are aligning to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals by delivering trusted financial education that empowers communities and citizens. This partnership shows how social enterprises can lead on the SDGs to close Ireland’s financial literacy gap; strengthen our future. Credit Unions are among the most trusted institutions in Ireland - together with Alison, we can turn that trust into life-changing financial literacy for every community member.”

The online, self-paced CPD-accredited courses will cover key topics such as saving and investing, personal budgeting and cash management, phishing and scam awareness and credit & debt management. Designed for a broad range of groups, ranging from schools and family resource centres to active retirement groups, men’s/women’s sheds, GAA clubs, and community organisations. The mission is for the courses to help empower learners of all ages in a free and easily accessible way.

David McDonnell, CEO of Naomh Breandan Credit Union said the following; ‘we are delighted to join forces on this project, which reflects our commitment to education, empowerment, and sustainable community development. Following our own Social Return on Investment Study, we’ve been focused on finding practical ways to build financial wellbeing and resilience across all age groups. These new financial literacy resources, set to roll out in early 2026, will help us continue that mission and provide lasting value for our members and the wider community.”

To find out more about the financial literacy courses being created by the two credit unions and Alison, please feel free to send an email to info@naomhbreandancu.ie or info@donorecu.ie

About Naomh Breandan Credit Union

Naomh Breandan Credit Union (Loughrea, Co. Galway) was founded in 1966 to serve the financial needs of people in its local community, especially when credit options from banks were limited. Membership has grown significantly; the Credit Union now serves close to 15,000 members in Loughrea and surrounding areas.

Naomh Breandan strives for financial wellbeing: its mission is “Together We Can Build a Better Tomorrow for Our Community” and promote the financial health of its members by offering quality, accessible products and excellent service.

Naomh Breandan Credit Union website: https://naomhbreandancu.ie/  
CEO, David McDonnell (LinkedIn)

About Donore Credit Union

Donore Credit Union (Dublin 8), established in April 1958, is Ireland’s first & oldest credit union. It was founded by neighbours looking to set up an alternative to banks. Over the years the Credit Union has grown in size but still remained independent and a cornerstone of the community.

Donore Credit Union website: https://donorecu.ie/
CEO, David McAuley (LinkedIn)

About Alison

Founded in 2007 as the world’s first Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) platform, Alison has grown into the world’s largest free online empowerment provider, supporting over 45 million learners across 193 countries, as of July 15th, 2025. At the heart of Alison’s mission is a simple yet transformative belief: education is the key to personal freedom. Alison exists to break down the barriers that limit access to learning, empowering anyone, anywhere to gain skills, unlock opportunities and shape their own future - free from the constraints of cost, geography or circumstance.

Alison offers over 5,500 free, CPD-accredited courses in key areas such as business, IT, healthcare, sustainability, AI, and personal development. Our courses boast content from independent subject matter experts in addition to renowned industry leaders, including IBM, Stanford and Microsoft. The platform enables learners to gain job-ready skills precisely tailored to the needs of their local labour market. In addition to individual learning, Alison supports organisations with a Free LMS (Learning Management System), allowing businesses to deliver and manage in-house training at scale.

To support lifelong learning and career advancement, Alison also offers a Psychometric Testing Suite, an interactive Career Guide, and a user-friendly Resumé Builder. Learners can study flexibly with Offline Learning available through the Alison App, making it easier than ever to learn on the go.

Looking ahead, Alison is preparing to launch a recruitment service, designed to connect employers with skilled, motivated learners from around the world. The platform is also working to expand global accessibility through multilingual content, beginning with a full Spanish-language offering - reinforcing Alison’s commitment to education without borders.