HSSCU together with other credit unions across the country, has been appointed Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) champions by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications for 2023 and 2024.
The Irish League of Credit Unions, working in partnership with representative organisations from across the sector, applied for the SDG Champions programme on behalf of the credit union sector in January of this year.
The participants of this national programme were recently announced by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD. In total, 26 organisations from across society have been appointed as part of the 2023-2024 SDG Champions Programme, to serve as leaders in driving forward Ireland’s progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Sustainability is today deeply embedded in every aspect of the Credit Union Operating Principles, aligning closely with the UN SDGs and the following goals are of particular relevance to the sector and role of credit unions.
- SDG 1. No Poverty: End poverty in all its forms everywhere.
- SGD 2. Zero Hunger: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
- SDG 4. Quality Education: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
- SDG 8. Decent Work and Economic Growth: Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
Welcoming the achievement, Sean Hosford, CEO of HSSCU stated, “This is a very significant appointment for credit unions and recognition of the important work which we carry out in local communities. As the only financial institution in Ireland owned and governed by our members, credit unions are by their structure, designed to be sustainable.”
The 2023-2024 SDG Champions Programme has been developed to raise public awareness of the SDGs and to demonstrate that everyone in society can make a contribution to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The role of an SDG Champion is to act as an advocate and promoter of the SDGs and a good practice example of how an organisation can contribute to the SDGs and integrate them into their work and activities.
