Italy implements new financial literacy programs for schools

Various educational initiatives are targeting financial literacy among Italian secondary school students to address gaps in economic competence. Following Law no. 21 of March 5, 2024, which integrated financial education into civic education curricula, new programs are providing tools for students to make informed decisions.

One initiative, ‘Money Skills!’, is a free project led by ING in collaboration with WeSchool and the Centro di Educazione ai Media (CEM). It focuses on the emotional aspects of money management and provides accredited training for teachers to facilitate digital and interactive learning in the classroom.

Another program, ‘Io Penso Positivo’, is funded by the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy and implemented by Unioncamere. This project aims to develop conscious consumers by teaching students how to recognize financial fraud—including AI-generated scams—understand the gender gap in finance, prevent economic violence, and avoid future debt. The curriculum includes e-learning modules, live shows, and interactive hackathons.