Global Money Week: Making Financial Education Accessible

Alejandro Martínez · 2026-03-17

Let's talk about financial education. Not as a nice-to-have, but as an absolute necessity. That's the core message from Miruna Senciuc, Chief Sustainability Officer at BNP Paribas Personal Finance, during Global Money Week 2026. She argues that understanding money isn't just about spreadsheets—it's about empowerment, protection, and autonomy in a world that moves fast. For over 15 years, BNP Paribas Personal Finance has focused its efforts on young people. The thinking is simple: the earlier we start these conversations, the better equipped the next generation will be. They work through teachers, trainers, and digital platforms to make these lessons stick. ### Real-World Programs Making a Difference They don't just talk about it; they build programs. Their subsidiary Findomestic runs 'Percorsi Young,' which reaches thousands of young people every year. How? Through a mix of interactive webinars, in-person classes, educational game platforms, and school kits. It's about meeting them where they are. Through the Cetelem Foundation, they've supported financial literacy programs and helped fund the 'Dilemme' game by the Crésus Foundation. But they went a step further. They created the 'Citizen Collaborators' program, where trained employee volunteers run workshops using that very game. It turns budgeting into something engaging, even fun, for young audiences. They've also launched an online 'Budget Responsible' platform in Belgium, France, and Italy. It taps into the gamification trends that young people expect. All these efforts combined reach about 60,000 young people annually. It's a good start, but as Senciuc notes, there's always more work to do. ### A Broader Mission: Financial Education as a Tool for Justice Recently, their focus has expanded to address economic violence. Statistics from the European Institute for Gender Equality indicate this affects roughly 1 in 10 women in Europe. Financial literacy, they believe, is a powerful tool for prevention. They're now connecting with associations that support women who are victims of violence, testing their educational tools with this vulnerable group. This shift highlights a crucial point: financial fragility often overlaps with social and digital vulnerabilities. Senciuc puts it plainly: "Financial education is as much about justice as it is about efficiency. It's about making sure no one has to make a blind decision." ### The Core Questions We All Should Ask During Global Money Week, Senciuc emphasizes the urgent need to simplify understanding. She urges everyone to ask themselves a few basic questions: - What can I gain? - What could I lose? - Is this right for my situation? - What are the real risks? These aren't just questions for investors. They're at the heart of responsible finance for everyone. It's about building a foundation of knowledge that prevents exploitation and promotes smart, confident choices. ### The Path Forward: A Collective Effort The conclusion is clear: no single entity can solve this alone. It requires a collective push from financial institutions, fintechs, associations, educators, and policymakers. While each group has different tools at its disposal, they can share one common goal: to make finance more understandable, and therefore, truly more accessible to all. As Senciuc says, the aim is to arm people—especially the young—with the knowledge they need to navigate an increasingly complex financial landscape. It's not just about money; it's about building a more resilient and equitable society, one smart financial decision at a time.