Information for teachers
Our Money, Our Future seeks to highlight the importance and relevance of financial literacy for young people.
It provides financial support, through a CCPC sponsorship, to post-primary schools and Youthreach centres in Ireland to develop and implement innovative initiatives that may be showcased as part of Global Money Week (GMW) 2025. Sponsored initiatives will be eligible for awards across a number of categories in the Our Money, Our Future competition.
To apply for sponsorship, please complete the application form 18 October 2024. For information on application eligibility and assessment process see Our Money Our Future Sponsorship Guidelines.
What is the goal of Our Money, Our Future?
The goal of Our Money, Our Future is to support schools to develop and implement innovative financial literacy initiatives. It aims to highlight the value of incorporating financial education into the curriculum.
Toolkit for teachers
This toolkit is designed to support teachers and school leaders as they consider the types of initiatives they might work on with their students. The ideas listed here are not exhaustive, and we encourage schools to be creative and consider their own specific context and priorities when designing their initiatives.
For a list of other organisations that may offer relevant information for your initiative see our useful resources page.
How does financial literacy connect to my subject?
See the ways in which a financial literacy project could connect to and support learning outcomes for your chosen subject.
Transition Year (TY)
TY offers a flexible curriculum that allows for the integration of financial literacy across multiple subjects.
Students could work on long-term projects like:
- starting a mini business
- developing a financial literacy campaign
- organising a schoolwide financial literacy event
Initiatives could include a variety of approaches and can incorporate the civic and community element of TY, and/or the career exploration element. The Our Money, Our Future initiative aligns with a number of TY Units, with an opportunity to bring different skills together, such as:
- creativity
- enterprise
- local and global citizenship
Students can report on their chosen financial education initiative within their student portfolio. This gives students an opportunity to report on their learning experience and chart personal growth and key insights as well as their goals and aspirations for their financial future.
Leaving Cert Applied (LCA)
In the LCA program, financial literacy can be emphasised through practical life skills such as:
- budgeting
- understanding pay slips
- managing personal finances
Financial literacy initiatives could be linked to module 6 of the LCA Social Education course ‘Taking Charge’ for example.
Wellbeing
Financial literacy is a central part of overall wellbeing. Initiatives could focus on:
- managing personal finances
- understanding consumer rights
- exploring the impact of financial decisions on mental health
- creating resources to help students manage money more effectively
- making informed decisions to build responsible financial behaviours throughout life stages
Core subjects
Maths
Students could explore:
- calculating and comparing loans and saving options
- the impact of interest rates on savings and debt.
At senior cycle students might explore:
- annuities
- calculating compound interest
- use statistical models to evaluate financial risks.
Sciences
Students could examine:
- the economic implications of scientific discoveries or technologies
- the cost/benefit of scientific research
- the economics of renewable energy
- the financial implications of healthcare innovation and other scientific innovations
Students could also explore financial aspects of environmental science, such as the costs associated with pollution control or the economic benefits of sustainable practices.
English/Gaeilge
Students could:
- explore themes related to money in literature
- read and analyse texts that deal with wealth, poverty, and financial decision-making.
Students could use these to inform financial literacy projects such as:
- essays, stories, or poems that explore financial themes
- persuasive essays on the importance of financial literacy
Business and economics
Business studies
Financial literacy initiatives might include the use of budgeting, saving, and managing money, and can be integrated into the Personal Finance strand of the curriculum.
These initiative might require students to:
- create and manage simple budgets
- explore and compare different types of savings and investments.
- research financial planning, consumer rights and enterprise
- create their own business plans and explore the financial implications of starting a business.
Economics
Students can use their financial literacy initiative to explore macroeconomic concepts, in relation to personal finance, such as:
- inflation
- unemployment
- economic growth
These initiative might include looking at the impact of economic policies on household income or the relationship between economic trends and consumer behaviour.
Humanities and social sciences
Geography
Financial literacy initiatives could be tied to the study of global economics, trade and development. Students might explore how global economic policies impact:
- poverty
- wealth distribution
- access to financial resources
Further ideas include considering the financial implications of environmental policies or the economic impact of climate change.
History
Students could:
- explore the historical development of money, banking, and trade
- research the history of currency,
- research the impact of economic events
- explore the evolution of consumer rights
Students could analyse how financial events shaped the course of history, such as the role of economic factors in wars and revolutions, or the development of the welfare state.
Civil, social and political education (CSPE)
Financial literacy initiatives might be linked to rights and responsibilities, including in the context of consumer rights and sustainable development.
Students might like to look at the role of financial education in promoting social justice or analyse how financial policies affect different groups in society.
Social, personal and health education (SPHE)
Students could explore the role of money in relationships, decision-making or stress management, looking for ways to explore the impact of financial decisions on personal wellbeing.
Technological subjects
ICT
Students could develop digital projects that promote financial literacy, for example creating websites, apps, or digital presentations that explore and teach financial concepts. Students could also code basic budgeting apps, develop financial simulations, or create interactive learning tools that help peers understand financial management.
Engineering/woodwork/construction studies
Students could work on budgeting and cost estimations for tools, materials and labour, with a focus on how to manage project budgets and resources. There is also an opportunity to connect with entrepreneurial skills.
Students could:
- create items for sale
- considering profit margins
- consider pricing strategies
- explore sales tactics and how they impact financial decisions
Financial literacy initiatives might also explore:
- different career paths in trades and engineering fields
- gaining insights into salary expectations
- understanding cost of living and income management
Practical subjects
Home economics
Students might think about managing household finances, budgeting for food and utilities or other essentials.
Initiatives might include:
- exploring the costs of living
- considering the financial aspects of household management
- discussing the financial implications of different lifestyle choices
- evaluating consumer rights in the marketplace
- thinking about the impact of advertising on consumer decisions and family finances.
Art
Financial literacy can be explored through art by examining:
- the role of money in society
- the influence of advertising
- creating visual representations of economic concepts
Students could produce art projects that comment on:
- consumer culture
- the impact of wealth inequality
- the relationship between money and identity
The link between financial literacy and sustainability and wellbeing
While financial literacy is relevant across a wide range of subjects, we know that there is a strong emphasis on sustainability and wellbeing within teaching and learning. By integrating financial education with themes of sustainability, students can consider the long-term impacts of their financial choices on their own lives and on the environment, promoting a balanced approach to consumption, saving, and investing.
Here are some ways that connections might be made between Our Money, Our Future initiatives and wellbeing, sustainability or climate change initiatives:
Wellbeing
Students could focus on managing personal finances, understanding consumer rights, or explore the impact of financial decisions on mental health and its relationship to financial literacy.
Sustainability and climate action
Students might connect with Green-Schools programmes or explore climate action curriculum for example, exploring the circular economy and thinking about reducing waste and reusing materials or calculating potential savings or profits associated with sustainable practices.
Budgeting for a sustainable lifestyle
Students could create personal or family budgets that explore sustainable practices. Through research, analysis and comparison, students can make connections and understand how financial decisions can contribute to healthier lifestyles and support long-term sustainability.
Green savings/sustainable investment research
Students could look at exploring investing in renewable energy, or funding eco-friendly projects. Students could research sustainable investment options and companies with strong environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. This links financial planning to sustainable choices and responsible business practices.
Eco-friendly fundraising
Students could organise events and/or fundraising activities that promote sustainability, for example, hosting second hand markets, zero waste fairs or recycled art/fashion auctions. These initiatives highlight the financial benefits of reusing, recycling, and reducing waste, reinforcing sustainable practices.
Calculating carbon footprint and cost savings
Students could calculate the carbon footprint of various lifestyle choices and explore the cost savings associated reduction for example using public transportation, reducing energy consumption. Students can explore how smart financial decisions can lead to a lower carbon footprint and financial savings.
Personal financial wellness plans
Students could create personal financial wellness plans that incorporate aspects of financial health, such as budgeting, saving, and investing, alongside goals for sustainable living, like reducing waste or supporting ethical companies.
