Through the FIN.e programme, ActionAid advances financial literacy at a European level in collaboration with Aflatoun International and with the support of the EIB Institute, promoting active citizenship across Europe
Athens, 9 December 2025 – In the presence of institutional representatives, civil society organisations, private-sector partners, journalists, and members of the education community, ActionAid and its partners Aflatoun International and the EIB Institute launched FIN.e, the first European alliance of financial education practitioners.
The three year initiative, in partnership with Aflatoun International and supported by the EIB Institute, places practitioners at the centre of its work: those who work every day with children, young people, families, and communities, highlighting financial literacy as a foundation for resilience, participation, and democratic empowerment.
Dozens of participants engaged in discussions on financial literacy in Europe, relevant European and national policies, innovative pedagogical approaches, and the role of the private sector in advancing financial education in Europe.
EU Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability and the Capital Markets Union, Maria Luís Albuquerque, underlined the significance of FIN.e as “a timely and visionary initiative giving voice to those on the front lines of education.”
Greek Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, Sofia Zacharaki, said “Global geopolitics and the way we communicate are also changing and new media channels bring great connectivity but also new risks such as misinformation and online harm. So, in this changing world, with so many challenges around us, young people, alongside basic concepts and the basic skills and core knowledge, need life skills. And financial literacy, digital media literacy, education for sustainability, and the ability to communicate with confidence are such. Now, through this European Alliance, through cooperation with ActionAid, and through our shared commitment, we strengthen our young people’s ability to manage resources, make informed choices, and shape the future with confidence.”
Ioannis Tsakiris, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank, noted that the EIB and its Institute, together with ActionAid Hellas and Aflatoun International, are implementing the European Alliance of Financial Education Practitioners — an initiative that transforms knowledge into real empowerment for everyone. We remain committed to investing in people, because true development begins with education and citizens’ access to knowledge, it begins with building a society of equal opportunities
Eva Polyzogopoulou, Managing Director of ActionAid Hellas, emphasised:
“Financial literacy is no longer a technical skill but a tool of protection, empowerment and active citizenship. At ActionAid, we believe that the new generation in Europe must have the confidence to make choices, participate, and shape its own future. This is why we created this European alliance: to contribute to more resilient and more just societies.”
Roeland Monasch, CEO of Aflatoun International, highlighted “FIN.e represents a crucial shift in how we approach financial education in Europe—by placing practitioners at the heart of the work. Through this partnership we’re creating a space where educators can share innovative approaches, access modern resources, and contribute to shaping policies that truly reflect the needs of the young people and communities they serve daily.”
About FIN.e
To strengthen financial literacy in Europe, we must first empower those on the front line — the educators and organisations supporting children and youth. Many of them lack adequate resources, access to modern approaches, and opportunities to participate in policy making. The European Alliance FIN.E was created precisely to bridge this gap. The Alliance focuses on knowledge sharing, connecting practitioners with academics , policy actors, and the private sector, and promoting policies that are shaped from the bottom up.
Over the next three years, FIN.e will:
- Establish a network of 25 organisations across Europe
- Form a 12-member Advisory Committee of experts from across Europe
- Reach more than 4.000 practitioners and relevant stakeholders
- Create a dedicated funding mechanism for the development of new projects
The launch of FIN.e marks the beginning of a collaborative journey that will transform financial education across Europe. With the commitment of ActionAid, Aflatoun International, the EIB Institute, and a growing network of practitioners and partners, the alliance is poised to create lasting change for millions of young people in the years to come.
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About the EIB Institute
The EIB Institute (EIBI), part of the European Investment Bank Group, promotes and supports academic, social and cultural initiatives across Europe, acting as a key pillar of the Group’s community and citizenship engagement and helping to reduce inequalities, strengthen social cohesion and encourage sustainable development.
The EIB Institute has a long-standing commitment to promoting financial education and social inclusion across Europe. By supporting innovative teaching methods, capacity-building for educators, and partnerships with schools, NGOs and public institutions, the Institute helps equip young people with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed financial decisions. As a founding partner of the European Alliance FIN.E, the EIB Institute builds on this experience to strengthen financial literacy ecosystems and amplify impact at the local, national and European level.
Visit: The EIB Institute
About ActionAid
Part of an independent international organization active in more than 75 countries, working against poverty and injustice by empowering people and communities to rely on their own strengths and claim equal rights and opportunities so they can live free from exclusion and discrimination.
Visit: ActionAid International
About Aflatoun
Aflatoun International is a global organisation committed to empowering young people through social and financial education. With a focus on social and emotional learning, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy, Aflatoun equips children and youth with the skills and knowledge needed to become active global citizens. Since its inception in 2005, Aflatoun has reached over 100 million children in more than 110 countries, transforming lives and communities worldwide.
Photo credits: ©Alex Grymanis/ActionAid Hellas