Credit Union Awards 2024

Synergy Credit Union is proud to announce that it has made the shortlist ‘Social Dividend Initiative (Sustainability) category at the All-Ireland CU Awards 2023 for its Climate Change Schools Project.

This project is a collaboration between Synergy Credit Union, Serve, and Scala, and it is designed to provide training and development programs on climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals  to primary and post-primary students.

We are also in the running for the 'Members Choice' award, and we need a hand to help us win.

Please go to  https://cuawards.ie/member-choice/ and please vote for us by ticking Synergy and tell the judges why you think we should win

We really appreciate your support.

Here is the project below that we have been nominated for.

Synergy Credit Union Climate Change Schools Project

Synergy Credit Union in developing its Environmental Social Governance strategy recognises and embraces the Credit Union difference, operating principle and values. Central to our values is helping our members achieve their social and financial goals through education.

The 2020’s is the Decade of Delivery of Climate Change, yet there is a knowledge gap.  Synergy Credit Union in collaboration with Serve and Scala have developed a Climate Change school programme aimed at primary and post primary students to provide training and development programmes specifically developed to bridge this knowledge gap. Particular focus will be on the SDG 13 Climate Action, and how action to halt climate change and deal with its impacts is integral to successfully achieving all the SDGs. The programmes will also highlight the Credit Union’s ethos and environmental social governance commitment.  The programmes are focused on providing young people with the tools and knowledge to inspire them to drive positive change in their schools, homes and communities.

The programmes are based upon the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) are a collection of 17 interlinked goals designed to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. The SDGs were set up in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly and are intended to be achieved by the year 2030. They tackle the root causes of poverty and unite us together to make a positive change for both people and planet.

The primary school programme “Superhero” is a 6-week Global Citizenship programme offered at 2^nd class level, where students are given an opportunity to explore the Global Goals Trail in Scala and will partake in interactive weekly workshops to gain an understanding of the 17 SDG’s.  Students will get the opportunity to engage in discussions, arts and crafts, games and activities.  By taking part in this programme students will become 'SDG Superhero's'. They will learn various ways to take action to achieve the SDGs and be equipped to be agents of positive change in their own school and communities. Students will receive a SDG Superhero certificate in recognition of their work and their first steps in becoming active global citizens.

The post-primary “Sustainable Development Goals Champion” Global Citizenship Education programme is a 6-week programme offered as part of transition year studies as part of their well-bring module.  Each week, students have the opportunity to partake in a fully facilitated workshop with challenges and activities by experienced facilitators as well as a task to be completed. Students will gain a basic understanding of the 17 SDGs and learn how they, as young people, can work towards achieving them through this interactive programme.  The workshops will explore global issues such as; climate change, poverty, and inequality through interactive games, debates, and discussions.

Synergy Credit Union is funding these programmes from its Social Fund.