Education
Community Education takes place outside the formal education sector. It aims to enhance learning by involving learners as equal partners in identifying needs, designing and implementing programmes, and adapting them on an on-going basis.
The goals of the community education sector include individual development and community advancement, particularly within marginalised communities.
The National Traveller MABS (NTMABS) Community Education programme ensures the development and delivery of culturally appropriate education programmes focused on the financial inclusion of Travellers in society. It facilitates the Traveller community to develop knowledge of and skills in money matters through a participatory, democratic process thereby empowering Travellers to financially plan and seek solutions to existing financial problems.
This approach requires collaboration between the facilitator and the participants when identifying specific needs within a group and agreeing content of material.
Positive working relationships between Travellers, Traveller organisations, Money Advice and Budgeting Services (MABS), Citizens Information Services (CIS) and NTMABS is critical when creating a safe space to identify issues of concern, develop appropriate learning tools and participate in and facilitate programmes. The process overcomes barriers to accessing services for participants and promotes financial literacy and inclusion through the development of skills.