Julie Galligan and Jennifer Conaty from Cavan Credit Union were among a number of credit union representatives to visit Cloughjordan Eco-Village at a recent national event for Greenify.

Credit Unions visit eco village to see how to go greener!

Staff from Cavan Credit Union were among a national group of credit union representatives who recently met at Cloughjordan Eco-Village to explore how they can help greenify the lives of members and positively impact the sustainability of their local communities.

Focused around Greenify, the green home energy upgrade loan offered by participating credit unions, the landmark event was an opportunity for attendees to learn more about sustainability and share ideas and strategies to support their members.

The Greenify loan product is designed to help members finance their home energy upgrades. Loans of up to €50,000 over 10 years are available to homeowners looking to make their homes more energy efficient.

Speaking on behalf of Greenify, Julie Galligan, marketing manager at Cavan Credit Union said: “It was a very positive, energised and informative day. The event highlighted the tremendous potential of Greenify. Our Greenify loan is more than just a financial product; it highlights the wider commitment to sustainability within the credit union. As a UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) champion, we discussed our ongoing efforts to adopt eco-friendly practices. Here at Cavan Credit Union, we are currently doing work to our own offices in Cavan, to make them more energy efficient.”

Keynote speakers at the Greenify event included Gavin Harte, a sustainability consultant who highlighted the need for urgent action to combat the climate crisis and Davie Philip who articulated the importance of community resilience as part of thriving local communities into the future.

Ms Galligan added: “These are areas we aim to work on within the community going forward. We are currently working on developing a green initiative to roll out to local primary schools in the coming months.

“As financial institutions deeply rooted in our local communities, credit unions have a unique opportunity to lead by example in promoting sustainability. By integrating sustainable practices into our day-to-day operations and offering green loan products like Greenify, we can facilitate positive change in our communities and contribute to a more sustainable economy.”

Cavan Credit Union is committed to making green home energy upgrades more accessible and affordable for members. The rate is a most competitive 6.5% (6.7% APR), so a loan of €25,000 over five years would cost €489.15 per month, with a total cost of credit €4,349.22.

Contact us