We have now produced the second paper in our series on the response by credit unions to the COVID-19 pandemic, this time covering Irish credit unions. The paper can be viewed and downloaded here. (Last week CFCFE published a well-received report on the response of British credit unions – accessible here).
The paper covers the feedback from 28 credit unions and support organisations in Ireland. As with the British companion paper, this does not attempt to be a comprehensive evaluation of credit union operations, but a reflection of the examples provided by credit unions of their initiatives and experience in the face of the pandemic.
A comparison of the British and Irish reports reflects differences in credit union business models and their social and commercial environments. But it also shows the huge similarities in how the credit union ethos of ‘people helping people’ has, in both countries, manifested itself in exceptional service to members and their communities in a time of grave crisis.
We extend our thanks to the organisations – both CFCFE members and non-members – who contributed their stories for these reports.
If you have feedback for us on this report, please contact Nick Money, nick.money@swobodacentre.org.
