We are convinced that economic and financial education is a core component of leading a self-determined life. It empowers people to make informed decisions and manage their money responsibly. That is why we provide targeted support for the development of economic and financial skills – particularly where they are most urgently needed.

Children and young people are at the heart of what we do. From a young age, we encourage them to make confident and active decisions that will have a lasting impact on their lives. Together with strong partners, we present complex content in a way that is understandanble, engaging and relevant to real life. A look at some of our initiatives illustrates how we put this into practice: In Austria, the Erste Financial Life Park (FLiP) and the learning bus FLiP2Go teach financial literacy through playful challenges and real-life situations. In the Czech Republic, the digital platform Skoala invites pupils to explore money, social skills and the implications of financial decisions across different subjects. In Slovakia, FinQ supports schools in embedding financial and social skills across multiple school subjects and in strengthening critical thinking and decision-making skills.

Another focus is on people who experience social or economic exclusion due to structural conditions and have only limited access to financial resources. This includes people who face specific financial challenges due to factors such as their employment history, income patterns or the burden of care work. Our programmes are specifically tailored to their lived experiences: they strengthen financial skills, expand opportunities for action and promote economic self-determination.

We create inspiring learning spaces that foster critical thinking, problem-solving skills and responsible action. By making economic and financial education as widely accessible and low-threshold as possible, we support people in realising their potential and actively shaping their lives. In this way, we create a feeling of security and stability – for individuals as well as for society as a whole. Equipped with economic and financial literacy, people can shape their own futures.

As one of the key drivers of widespread and easily accessible economic and financial education in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe, we support targeted educational programmes that empower people to make informed decisions. In doing so, we strengthen individual and societal financial health in the long term.