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29th November 2024

Initiatives to foster financial literacy in young people

Financial literacy is crucial to young people's future. But how financially literate are young people today, and how can they prepare for the economic challenges of tomorrow? To answer these questions, we interviewed Jessica Thyrion, advisor at the ABBL Foundation for Financial Education. In this article, she shares her expertise on the importance of financial education, the specific challenges facing young people, and the initiatives in place to help them navigate the complex world of finance. Find out how the ABBL Foundation is working to improve young people's financial literacy and prepare them to make informed and responsible decisions.

1. How financially literate do you think young people are today?

The level of financial literacy across the EU is very low, as shown by the latest Eurobarometer on financial literacy and the results of the OECD Global Financial Literacy Survey, both published in 2023.

In Luxembourg, the data submitted to the OECD was gleaned through a survey conducted by the ABBL Foundation for Financial Education/ILRES. According to the results, young people in Luxembourg generally have less financial knowledge than their elders and adopt less prudent financial behaviour than they do. This is especially true for everything  related to digital finance.

In September 2023, the European Commission published a financial skills framework for young people (aged 6-18). The aim of this framework is to improve their financial awareness (knowledge, behaviour and attitudes) so that they are able to make informed financial decisions now and, more importantly, in the future. The document lists a series of topics and recommendations that the ABBL Foundation includes in its awareness-raising and training package. 

2. What are the financial challenges facing young people, and how can financial education help them overcome them?

Maintaining a balanced budget, digitalisation and, of course, knowing how best to defend oneself against the various financial scams. 

Where does our money come from? How does credit work? What does risk mean and why is it important, especially for young people, to know how to manage their money properly? These days, most children and teenagers in Luxembourg already have to manage their own money. The Foundation is therefore focusing on budget management, digitalisation and sustainable finance. 

 

  • Budget management 

The ABBL Foundation’s programme for younger children focuses on the difference between needs and wants, a subject with which many adults also struggle. 

It is essential to get young people into the habit of drawing up a budget as early as possible so that they can understand why it is important to divide their money into different categories: income, expenditure and savings. Savings are a key component in budgeting.  

Budget management workshop: For secondary school students 

Woch vun de Suen: For 10–12-year-olds 

 

  • Digitalisation 

Many young people think they are experts in the digital world, having grown up in the digital age. They believe they have solid digital skills. However, analysis of the results of the ABBL Foundation/ILRES survey shows that these skills do not specifically imply digital financial literacy. They tend to be overconfident in digital financial services and unaware of the right habits to get into. 

Furthermore, more and more young people are taking an interest in cryptocurrency and investing in it without knowing the various risks to which they are exposing themselves. 

 

  • Sustainable finance 

People are increasingly sensitive to sustainability considerations in the broadest sense of the term, including when it comes to their personal financial decisions. Today, it is possible for any budding investor to align their financial decisions with their sustainable development preferences. 

The Foundation offers workshops on sustainable finance to secondary school students

3. What are the key components of an effective financial education programme for young people?

Talk to young people about financial situations that concern them and prepare them for their future as financial consumers. Invite young people to share their positive and negative experiences, find out what their apprehensions are and then discuss issues such as knowledge and behaviour. 

The Foundation's workshops are dynamic. Our trainers focus on dialogue and practice. 

The manner of delivery plays a vital role. Numerous studies have shown that gamification is an excellent way to pass on knowledge.  

In 2023, the Foundation, in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce, launched the “Money Odyssey” mobile application. This app is for both children and adults and covers a wide range of topics such as savings, investments, credit, cryptocurrency and insurance. 

Users can opt for the classic version, which will equip them with a wealth of knowledge, while the “Finance Challenge” version is designed to challenge players' knowledge! 

4. How can we promote access to a sound financial education?

The ABBL Foundation, along with other organisations sensitive to this issue, is working to ensure that financial education is included in the school curriculum. This is one of the recommendations of the national strategy. And young people tend to agree with it! According to a survey carried out in 2023 by the ABBL Foundation (807 respondents aged between 14 and 21), 88% of young people want financial education to feature as part of the curriculum! 

The Government sent out a positive signal when it announced last year that it would be introduced in schools. 

It remains to be seen when and how... The Foundation is delighted and hopes to play an active part in this implementation. 

5. What five tips can you give us on financial education for young people?

1. Talk to your children about money as early as possible and make them aware of their responsibilities! They will learn. 

2. Include sustainability considerations in your choices (circular economy, responsible purchasing, sustainable investments). 

3. Be careful when it comes to investing... ask your bank advisor for more information. 

4. Be careful when making online transactions (advice on the Foundation's “Sécher am Internet” platform). 

5. Play to learn (Money Odyssey - European Money Quiz

About the blog:

 

There is an urgent need for rapid transition to global sustainability. Business and industry have enormous social and environmental impacts. "Why does it matter?" is a bi-monthly blog that aims to elucidate this important topic through the eyes of our experts. 


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