Sign-ups are now open for our Divestment, Reinvestment and Ethical Finance Training sessions. If you're passionate about making a positive impact within your university's financial decision-making and interested in advocating for ethical investment, this training is for you! This free course is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and confidence needed to create meaningful change.

Who should attend?

This training is part of our Invest for Change work and is tailored for:

• SU Officers on university governing bodies or finance committees
• SU Sustainability or Environment Officers
• Student campaigners aiming to influence university investment practices
• Student group and society leaders interested in ethical finance and advocacy

Whether you're already involved in these areas of work or looking to learn more, this training will provide valuable insight into the financial systems at universities and responsible investment practices.

What you'll gain

This training not only presents you with core ethical finance knowledge, it's also a great way to get the tools necessary to kickstart your own divestment or reinvestment campaign at your own institution. By understanding the university financial landscape and the mechanisms of university governance, you will be able to more effectively advocate for responsible and ethical investment policies.

Participants will:

1. Build basic financial literacy: understand the fundamentals of Higher Education investments and how universities manage their funds.
2. Develop confidence: gain the skills to engage confidently in discussions about ethical investment and divestment at committee level.
3. Learn about sustainability advocacy: give you the tools to advocate for investments that align with ethical values and promote sustainability.
4. Meet peers and join our network: meet like-minded Officers and students across the UK, sharing experiences and strategies for creating positive change.

Dates and locations

Three in-person training sessions hosted at different Students' Unions are available this year:

• London: Monday 2nd September - hosted by Students' Union UCL.
• Glasgow: Friday 6th September - hosted by Glasgow Caledonian Students' Association.
• Birmingham: Monday 9th September - hosted by Birmingham Guild of Students.

All training sessions will commence at 10 a.m. and end at 4 p.m.

Practical details

• Price: This training is provided free of charge by SOS-UK.
• Lunch: A free vegetarian/vegan lunch will be provided to all attendees.
• Travel costs: We encourage Students' Unions and Associations to cover transportation costs. If you're an individual attendee, consider asking your university to support your travel expenses as this training will enhance your contribution to university governance.

How to apply

To apply for a place at a training session, please complete this application form. We will confirm your place as soon as possible.

‍

Join us in learning, networking and making a difference. Let's work together to ensure our universities invest responsibly and ethically!