Introduction

For Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs), true member empowerment extends beyond providing access to financial services; it critically includes enhancing their capacity to make informed financial decisions. Financial Literacy Programs for SACCO Members are therefore not supplementary offerings but foundational initiatives that enable members to effectively manage their money, utilize financial products wisely, and build long-term economic resilience. In many communities, a lack of basic financial knowledge contributes to poor budgeting, indebtedness, and an inability to save or invest effectively, limiting the impact of available financial services. By equipping members with essential skills in budgeting, saving, borrowing, and investing, SACCOs can significantly improve their members' financial well-being, reduce loan defaults, increase product utilization, and strengthen the cooperative's overall stability. Without dedicated Financial Literacy Programs for SACCO Members, the full potential of financial inclusion remains untapped, and members may struggle to leverage the very services designed to uplift them, underscoring the vital need for specialized expertise in this critical domain. This comprehensive training course focuses on equipping professionals with the expertise to master Financial Literacy Programs for SACCO Members.

This training course is meticulously designed to empower SACCO management, member service teams, outreach officers, product development specialists, and trainers with the theoretical understanding and practical skills necessary to develop, implement, and evaluate effective Financial Literacy Programs tailored for SACCO Members. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of core financial literacy concepts, learn about various pedagogical approaches for adult learners, explore creative content development strategies, and acquire hands-on experience in designing impactful training modules and communication campaigns. The course will delve into topics such as needs assessment for financial literacy, budgeting and saving techniques, responsible borrowing and debt management, understanding SACCO products (loans, shares, deposits), basic investment principles, digital financial literacy, and the crucial aspects of program monitoring and impact assessment. By mastering the principles and practical application of Financial Literacy Programs for SACCO Members, participants will be prepared to empower their members with essential financial skills, enhance product uptake, improve financial health outcomes, and contribute significantly to the long-term success and social mission of their cooperative.

Duration: 5 Days

Target Audience

• SACCO Managers and CEOs
• Member Service / Customer Service Personnel
• Outreach and Community Engagement Officers
• Product Development and Marketing Teams
• Training and Development Specialists
• Financial Inclusion Officers
• Education Committee Members
• Loan Officers
• Branch Managers
• Volunteers involved in member education

Objectives

• Understand the importance and benefits of financial literacy for SACCO members and the institution.
• Learn to assess the financial literacy needs of diverse member segments.
• Acquire skills in designing effective and engaging financial literacy curricula.
• Comprehend techniques for delivering financial literacy training to adult learners.
• Explore strategies for promoting responsible saving, borrowing, and spending habits.
• Understand the importance of digital financial literacy in today's environment.
• Gain insights into monitoring and evaluating the impact of financial literacy programs.
• Develop a practical understanding of integrating financial literacy into SACCO operations.

Course Content

Module 1: The Importance of Financial Literacy for SACCOs

• Definition and scope of financial literacy.
• Why financial literacy is crucial for SACCO members (empowerment, well-being, resilience).
• Benefits for SACCOs: reduced defaults, increased product utilization, stronger member loyalty.
• The link between financial literacy and financial inclusion.
• Identifying common financial challenges faced by SACCO members.

Module 2: Assessing Financial Literacy Needs

• Methods for conducting a financial literacy needs assessment (surveys, focus groups, interviews).
• Segmenting SACCO members based on their financial knowledge and needs (e.g., youth, women, small business owners).
• Identifying relevant financial topics for different member groups.
• Tailoring content and delivery methods to diverse audiences.
• Setting clear learning objectives for financial literacy programs.

Module 3: Core Financial Literacy Concepts - Budgeting and Saving

• Principles of personal and household budgeting.
• Tracking income and expenses.
• Setting financial goals and prioritizing spending.
• The importance of saving: emergency funds, long-term goals.
• Different savings vehicles and products offered by SACCOs.

Module 4: Core Financial Literacy Concepts - Responsible Borrowing and Debt Management

• Understanding different types of loans offered by SACCOs.
• The cost of borrowing: interest rates, fees, terms.
• Responsible borrowing principles: borrowing for productive purposes, affordability.
• Debt management strategies and avoiding over-indebtedness.
• Understanding credit reports and credit scores (where applicable).

Module 5: Understanding SACCO Products and Services

• In-depth explanation of SACCO share capital and its benefits.
• Types of savings accounts and their features.
• Different loan products: personal, business, emergency, agricultural.
• Understanding dividends and interest rebates.
• How to effectively utilize SACCO services for financial growth.

Module 6: Basic Investment Principles and Risk Management

• Introduction to simple investment concepts for SACCO members.
• Differentiating between saving and investing.
• Understanding basic investment options (e.g., SACCO deposits, simple bonds).
• Principles of diversification and risk tolerance.
• Protecting against financial scams and fraud.

Module 7: Digital Financial Literacy and Consumer Protection

• Understanding mobile banking, digital wallets, and online payments.
• Navigating digital financial platforms safely and securely.
• Protecting personal information and preventing cyber fraud (phishing, SIM swap).
• Identifying and reporting digital scams.
• Rights and responsibilities of members in the digital financial space.

Module 8: Program Design, Delivery, Monitoring, and Evaluation

• Designing engaging financial literacy curricula and training materials.
• Effective delivery methods: workshops, seminars, one-on-one coaching, digital content.
• Leveraging technology for wider outreach (e.g., SMS, social media, e-learning modules).
• Monitoring program implementation and participant engagement.
• Evaluating program impact: measuring changes in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.