This collaboration provides free, CPD-accredited financial training to strengthen financial literacy across Ireland’s social economy
Alison, the world's leading free online learning platform, today announced a landmark partnership with the Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland (SERI) and Social Finance Foundation, supporting the launch of the latter’s Financial Literacy Hub to deliver financial skills training for social enterprises across Ireland. This initiative is a sector-leading effort to provide free, expert-driven resources to Ireland's 4,335 social enterprises.
This collaboration marks a significant step in upskilling social enterprise leaders nationwide, delivering trusted resources to advance both organisational effectiveness and Ireland’s commitments to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Empowering Ireland’s social enterprises for sustainable growth
Social enterprises are at the heart of Ireland’s social economy, tackling pressing societal challenges while generating sustainable income. However, many leaders in this sector lack access to formal training in core business and financial management. This gap can limit their growth and, by extension, their social impact. The new Financial Literacy Hub directly addresses this need by providing a scalable, free, and accessible solution designed to bolster the financial health and sustainability of these vital organisations.
Leveraging a Financial Literacy Hub for impact
The Financial Literacy Hub includes a curated package of free, CPD-accredited courses, delivered through Alison’s globally trusted platform. The content is specifically designed to meet the needs of social enterprise leaders, covering topics such as budgeting, financial reporting, and sustainable growth strategies. The partnership brings together Alison's expertise in global online education, the Social Finance Foundation’s deep sector knowledge and financial leadership, and SERI’s extensive network within the social enterprise community. This unique combination ensures the resources are not only high-quality but also directly relevant and widely available.
Advancing the SDGs through upskilling and innovation
This initiative will empower social enterprise leaders to build core financial skills, enabling them to make more informed decisions, attract investment, and ultimately, amplify their positive impact on communities. By removing the cost and geographic barriers to accredited learning, the project acts as a model of social innovation, demonstrating how collaboration between a globally minded EdTech company and key sector partners can drive tangible change. This initiative is a clear expression of Alison's mission to empower people through education, extending that support to the heart of Ireland’s social economy.
"This collaboration is a testament to the power of a shared vision,"said Olivia Cosgrove, Head of Business Solutions Alison. “By working with the Social Finance Foundation and SERI, we are able to reach a community of passionate social entrepreneurs and provide them with the foundational financial skills they need to succeed. Digital innovation is not just about technology; it’s about using it to build a more equitable world. This Financial Literacy Hub is a perfect example, and we’re proud to support Ireland’s social economy in this way.”
Social Finance Foundation, SERI, and Alison are committed to expanding the hub's content and reach in the future. This partnership sets a precedent for how digital education can be leveraged to strengthen nonprofit and social enterprise leadership globally. It reinforces all partners' joint commitment to building a resilient, financially empowered, and inclusive economy.
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About Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland (SERI)
Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland (SERI) is the national body representing, supporting, and advocating for the growth of the social enterprise sector in Ireland. As a voice for over 4,300 social enterprises nationwide, SERI works to create a thriving ecosystem where purpose-driven businesses can succeed, scale, and deliver measurable impact in communities.
SERI supports the sector through:
Policy advocacy and representation at local, national, and EU levels
Training and development programmes tailored to social enterprise needs
Facilitating partnerships across public, private, and nonprofit sectors
Championing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in practice
As the national membership body for social enterprises in Ireland, SERI is committed to empowering individuals and organisations to use business as a force for good, ensuring that social enterprises play a central role in building a more inclusive, equitable, and resilient Ireland.
About Alison
Founded in 2007 as the world’s first Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) platform, Alison has grown into the world’s largest free online empowerment provider, supporting over 45 million learners across 193 countries, as of September 24th, 2025. At the heart of Alison’s mission is a simple yet transformative belief: education is the key to personal freedom. Alison exists to break down the barriers that limit access to learning, empowering anyone, anywhere to gain skills, unlock opportunities and shape their own future - free from the constraints of cost, geography or circumstance.
Alison offers over 5,500 free, CPD-accredited courses in key areas such as business, IT, healthcare, sustainability, AI, and personal development. Our courses boast content from independent subject matter experts in addition to renowned industry leaders, including IBM, Stanford and Microsoft. The platform enables learners to gain job-ready skills precisely tailored to the needs of their local labour market. In addition to individual learning, Alison supports organisations with a Free LMS (Learning Management System), allowing businesses to deliver and manage in-house training at scale.
To support lifelong learning and career advancement, Alison also offers a Psychometric Testing Suite, an interactive Career Guide, and a user-friendly Resumé Builder. Learners can study flexibly with Offline Learning available through the Alison App, making it easier than ever to learn on the go.
Looking ahead, Alison is preparing to launch a recruitment service, designed to connect employers with skilled, motivated learners from around the world. The platform is also working to expand global accessibility through multilingual content, beginning with a full Spanish-language offering - reinforcing Alison’s commitment to education without borders.
Media Contact
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