FINPOWER – “Empowering women in sustainable finance through micro learning" with Ref.: 2022-1-AT01-KA220-ADU-000087985 is a project within the "Erasmus + Cooperation Partnerships in Adult Education" scheme with a duration of 24 months, co-financed by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.

FINPOWER was developed because it is proved that women feel less confident than men about financial matters, have particularly financial literacy needs than men, as they earn less, save less, and live longer — but are still responsible for the same living expenses men pay.

So, the main objective of the project is to increase women skills on sustainable financial literacy. While other objectives are as follows:

• To increase the capacity and readiness of training institutions to manage an effective shift towards digital education
• To address the needs of women by offering training to women training providers and delivering pilot sustainable finance microlearning
• To decrease the gender inequality in financial literacy

Within the project, seven project partners from six different countries will develop FINPOWER Sustainable Finance Academy. It will include training materials, manuals for trainers to be able to implement trainings for women as well as interactive guide for women to be able to gain the sustainable financial knowledge by themselves.

More Info: https://finpower.fh-joanneum.at/ 

FINPOWER Gaps Catalogue

The FINPOWER Gaps Catalogue is showing the gaps in the field of financial literacy training for women in Austria, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, and Romania. Gaps are identified based on the results from desk research, focus group interviews and online survey that were implemented in all mentioned countries. The results show that there exists no official educational program on sustainable finance education targeting women in the analyzed countries. There are just single initiatives covering mostly just one aspect of financial literacy and most of them are not freely available. Hence, there is an increased need to develop, implement and roll-out the FINPOWER sustainable finance training. Within the project trainings will be developed based on the situations that women and trainers defined in the online surveys and are reflecting the financial questions and dilemmas they are facing with in their daily lives. Explaining theory based on real-life scenarios could help learners to gain the needed knowledge to increase their financial literacy. Special emphasis will be given to the aspect of sustainability.

Download of the FINPOWER Gaps Catalogue

FINPOWER Microlearning Guide: A Paradigm Shift in Learning

Within the FINPOWER WP 3 FINPOWER a microlearning guide was developed. Microlearning is a transformative approach that's revolutionizing education, and this guide provides an in-depth look at its characteristics, benefits, and limitations, along with valuable tools for creating engaging and effective microlearning lessons.

Microlearning, at its core, is all about delivering short, focused, and topic-specific content in brief sessions lasting anywhere from 2 to 10 minutes. This method optimizes learning, keeping learners engaged and aligning with the fast-paced lifestyles of today.

The guide offers a comprehensive understanding of microlearning's unique characteristics. It emphasizes the importance of focus, flexibility, real-world relevance, authenticity, and measurability. These characteristics ensure that microlearning content is not only engaging but also aligned with specific learning goals, accessible anytime and anywhere, and can be measured for real-time progress tracking.

But what makes microlearning truly stand out are its benefits. It maximizes efficiency by ensuring learners acquire knowledge in a minimal amount of time, reducing resource costs. Short, targeted content keeps learners engaged and motivated, while the on-demand nature of microlearning aligns with today's fast-paced lifestyle. Enhanced knowledge retention through strategies like spaced repetition and tailored content for individual learning objectives are also key advantages.

While microlearning is a powerful tool, it's important to acknowledge its limitations. In-depth subjects may require more traditional, longer formats. Some complex topics benefit from in-depth discussions and interactions, which microlearning may lack. Additionally, there's a risk of cognitive overload if too many microlearning modules are provided.

Microlearning initially gained recognition in non-formal education and employee training. Today, it has transcended these origins to become a prominent trend in entrepreneurial education. Its adaptability and cost-effectiveness make it a valuable approach for organizations and learners alike, offering on-demand learning tailored to evolving needs.

The WP 3 FINPOWER microlearning guide is a gateway to this transformative approach. Whether you're an educator, trainer, or an eager learner, this guide provides the insights and practical guidance to reshape the way you acquire knowledge. Step into the future of learning with micro-wisdom and discover the power of this revolutionary method.

The FINPOWER microlearning can be found here: FINPOWER Microlearning Guide.

Key Insights from the FINPOWER Sustainable Finance Academy: Empowering Women in Finance

The FINPOWER Sustainable Finance Academy, developed as part of WP4 of the FINPOWER project, aims to significantly enhance women’s financial literacy in sustainable finance. Building on the foundational work established in previous work packages, WP4 has focused on creating an environment where women can confidently engage with financial concepts and improve their knowledge base.

Understanding that women often face unique challenges in financial literacy, our team focused on addressing these needs through tailored educational resources. Recognizing the gap in sustainable finance education, we developed a comprehensive training package specifically designed for women. This package includes training materials and manuals for educational centers, enabling them to offer courses that cater to women’s needs.

To validate our resources and approach, we conducted a pilot implementation that involved direct engagement with both trainers and women. Through our train-the-trainer workshops, we equipped at least five trainers from each participating country to effectively deliver the materials. Simultaneously, we hosted training sessions for women, allowing them to engage with the content and provide valuable feedback.

Additionally, we launched the FINPOWER Online Academy, offering microlearning units that enable women to learn independently and acquire essential financial knowledge at their own pace. The Online Academy was also tested by several women across all participating countries.

The piloting phase of all developed materials was crucial for gathering insights and participant experiences. The feedback from these events helped us refine the training resources, ensuring they meet the needs of our target audience.

FINPOWER Policy Recommendations: A Final Step in Our Journey

In the final phase of the FINPOWER project, we focused on preparing the FINPOWER Policy Recommendations Document. This comprehensive document serves as a culmination of our efforts to enhance financial literacy among women and address the gender disparities that persist in this critical area. By consolidating insights and lessons learned from our pilot training sessions, we aimed to create a robust resource that not only reflects the project's achievements but also guides future initiatives in financial education.

The importance of this document lies in its role as a strategic tool for advocating policy changes and educational improvements. Throughout the project, we have identified key challenges faced by women in financial literacy, and the Policy Recommendations Document articulates actionable solutions that can be implemented at local, regional, national, and EU levels. By raising awareness of women's potential to enhance their financial knowledge, we aspire to inspire stakeholders—including policymakers, educators, and organizations—to invest in targeted training programs that foster gender equality in financial literacy.

In addition to providing policy recommendations, the document encapsulates the transferability criteria developed during the project. These criteria are designed to facilitate the implementation of FINPOWER’s initiatives in diverse contexts, ensuring that the benefits of our work can extend beyond the original partner countries. By sharing best practices and guidelines, we aim to empower other regions to adopt and adapt our successful approaches to women's financial education.

The executive summary of FINPOWER Policy Recommendations Document is translated into the national languages of all partner countries, making it accessible and relevant to a wide range of audiences. This commitment to inclusivity reflects our understanding that financial education is an universal necessity, and tailored solutions are essential for addressing the unique challenges faced by women in different cultural contexts.

As we conclude the FINPOWER project, we remain dedicated to our mission of decreasing gender inequality in financial literacy. The Policy Recommendations Document stands as a testament to our collective efforts and serves as a roadmap for ongoing advocacy and action in the realm of women's financial education. By equipping women with the knowledge and confidence they need, we are taking significant strides toward creating a more equitable financial landscape for all.

For further insights into the FINPOWER project, please visit our website: [FINPOWER Project](https://finpower.fh-joanneum.at/).