Students showcase financial literacy innovations at launch of CCPC’s Global Money Week 2025
March 14, 2025
A money management app, an information booklet, and a financial decision-making board game designed by students were some of the financial literacy initiatives showcased at the launch of Ireland’s Global Money Week (GMW) 2025 yesterday in Croke Park, organised and sponsored by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC).
The CCPC, as the national coordinator for Global Money Week, brought together educators, students and representatives from the world of finance to recognise and celebrate the valuable work being done to build financial skills in young people.
Students from 16 schools across nine counties were joined by educators and finance professionals as they shared the results of their innovative financial literacy projects, which were sponsored by the CCPC’s Our Money, Our Future programme.
The event was attended by representatives from the world of finance also involved in Global Money Week, including Brokers Ireland, Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI), Central Bank of Ireland, Department of Finance, Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO), Institute of Banking (IOB), Junior Achievement Ireland (JAI), Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), Revenue, the Business Studies Teachers Association of Ireland (BSTAI), Irish Funds and LIA (Life Insurance Association).
Winning Schools:
Winner of the Best Financial Management Resource was Scoil Airegail, Co Kilkenny for their “Smart Money for Smart Teens” financial education book, exploring different aspects of financial services, including savings, current accounts, and taxation.
Hospital Youthreach, Co Limerick took the award for Best Sustainable Resource with “The Greenhouse Crop”, a business start-up involving a farm to table initiative.
The Best Financial Management Tool award went to Coláiste Bride, Enniscorthy with their “Money Smart Services” financial app with information on various topics including how to shop safely online, how to use an ATM, your rights as a consumer and what it means to shop sustainably.
Finally, the Best Peer-to-Peer Learning Initiative went to St Anne’s Secondary School, Co Tipperary for their “This or That? Making Financial Decisions” world-café-style workshops for first and second year students based on a range of financial topics including savings, fraud, managing money, bankruptcy and more.
Brian McHugh, Chair of the CCPC, said:
“Financial education is a crucial life skill for children and young people. There are all sorts of ways that educators can build it into lessons at school, but the power of the resources produced thanks to the CCPC’s Our Money, Our Future programme is that it was the students that took the lead and designed resources that would appeal to their peers. We were delighted with the results.”
Minister Robert Troy TD added:
“Ensuring that financial education initiatives are relevant to the day-to-day learning and experience students have is important to maintaining engagement and the effectiveness of initiatives. At the recent launch of the National Financial Literacy Strategy, we heard about the importance of ensuring the continued relevance and importance of the student voice as we develop financial literacy initiatives across the country. It is great to see that student voice carry through here again today.”
Second year student from Coláiste Bríde, Enniscorthy, Jackie Breslin, said:
“Developing an app to promote financial literacy is not just about building a tool, it’s about empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions, paving the way for a future of financial independence and security. We really enjoyed this opportunity to work together on an initiative that will really benefit the community. Thank you CCPC!”
Karl Cronin – Regional Manager at North Connacht & Ulster MABS said:
“Building financial confidence starts with practical tools and real-world problem-solving. The Coláiste Bríde app is a brilliant example of how students can harness technology to help their peers, and I’m delighted to see MABS’ mission supported by such motivated young innovators.”
Global Money Week and the “Our Money, Our Future” programme closely align with Ireland’s first National Financial Literacy Strategy which was launched on 20 February. One of the commitments from the Action Plan for 2025 of this strategy includes harnessing opportunities for financial literacy in the school curriculum from early education to sixth year through core subjects and other curriculum areas.
For more information read the Our Money, Our Future programme.
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