On 2 September 2026, the FEMPower in Finance Immersion Event brought women, educators, community organisations, enterprise supports and local stakeholders together at The Food Hub in Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim to explore how accessible financial education can help women build greater confidence, capability and independence.
The event was designed as a practical introduction to the FEMPower in Finance project and its learning resources, with a strong focus on how the materials can be used beyond the life of the project. Participants included representatives from Leitrim PPN, Roscommon LEADER Partnership, Atlantic Technological University (ATU), the Local Enterprise Office, The Food Hub, Momentum, alongside local businesses, trainers, educators and community representatives.
Walking through FEMPower in Finance
The session began with an overview of why FEMPower was developed and the barriers that can prevent women from engaging confidently with financial topics. From there, participants were taken through the project’s learning journey, including the course content, digital learning approach, practical tools and European case studies.
Particular attention was given to the real-life case studies, which show women of different ages and circumstances navigating financial decisions, work, family responsibilities, entrepreneurship and changing life stages. Participants discussed the value of learning from peers and seeing financial challenges presented through situations that feel recognisable rather than abstract.
We also shared the results from the project’s pilot testing. Feedback from testers has been extremely positive, with 91.3% overall satisfaction, while 98% rated the relevance of the materials to women’s financial literacy as Excellent or Very Good. The clarity of the content received the same 98% rating, while 95% rated the resources highly for usefulness and ease of use. The case studies were particularly well received, with 98% rated Relevant or Very Relevant, and 39 out of 40 testers said they would use or recommend the FEMPower in Finance course.
A conversation about what women need from financial learning
The immersion event also created space for discussion around how financial education is delivered.
Participants explored the importance of making financial learning practical, approachable and relevant to everyday life, particularly for women who may have had limited opportunities to develop financial confidence through formal education. Discussions touched on the language used around finance, the importance of starting from different levels of experience, and the need for resources that allow women to learn at their own pace without feeling judged or overwhelmed.
There was also strong discussion around the role of community organisations, adult educators and trusted local networks. Participants reflected on how women often engage more readily with learning when it is introduced through organisations and people they already know. This reinforced the value of FEMPower as a resource that can be incorporated into community education, employability programmes, enterprise supports and wider adult learning provision.
Another theme was the relationship between financial literacy and confidence. Financial capability is about more than understanding terminology. It includes having the confidence to ask questions, compare options, make informed decisions and plan for the future.
Taking FEMPower into the community
A particularly positive outcome from the event was the commitment from Leitrim PPN to share the FEMPower learner resources across its network of more than 700 community and voluntary groups. This creates a significant opportunity for the resources to reach women through community organisations across the county and to continue generating impact after the project formally concludes.
The event also opened conversations with trainers, educators and local organisations about how FEMPower resources could complement work already taking place in financial inclusion, employability, enterprise, adult education and community development.
