Delivery Models for Financial Literacy Interventions: A case study approach

Organization

Social and Enterprise Development Innovations (SEDI)

Published

2008

Summary

Recent research in Canada reveals that there is no shortage of financial literacy products and services available to Canadians, yet a large portion of those resources are only available to those who can afford them. At the same time, only a handful of programs are targeted towards those who also have much to gain from financial literacy training: low-income earners. These programs tend to be delivered through the community sector. Consultations with Canada’s non-profit sector suggest that, while the demand for financial literacy supports from clients of community organizations is growing, the ability to meet those demands is not. This is primarily attributed to resource constraints as funding for financial literacy programs through the community sector is uncoordinated and, therefore, scattered and often short-lived.

To date no meta-analysis specific to Canada has been done to consider effectiveness in financial literacy programming and evaluation among existing financial literacy resources. This research project, therefore, seeks to explore the following:

• Issues in effective delivery of financial literacy interventions;
• Issues in measuring program effectiveness; and
• Examples of effective delivery of financial literacy interventions in Canada.

The research approach for this study consisted of a literature review of evaluation methods applicable to financial literacy, a document review of current practices in delivery and evaluation of financial literacy and key informant interviews with experts in the field of delivery and assessment of financial literacy program outcomes. This complimentary three-pronged approach served to create a framework for effective financial literacy programming. The framework was then used to choose 5 examples of financial literacy programming in Canada for in-depth analysis using case study methods.

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OCA Funded Research
This research received funding support through the Office of Consumer Affairs' Contributions Program.

Contact information

Source: Consumer Policy Research Database