'Your First Finances': Results of Belagroprombank's Financial Literacy Campaign

In the autumn of 2017, a large-scale republican campaign by Belagroprombank "Tvae pershyya finansy" was held in Belarus. For the fourth year in a row, the project was supported by the National Bank and the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus, with the participation of representatives of the National Olympic Committee of Belarus, sports federations, clients and partners of the bank.

Throughout Belarus, from September to November, bank employees conducted financial literacy lessons for 5th-grade students of rural and urban schools. They became a real celebration for the children: the kids actively participated in quizzes and contests, and together with the bank employees, they practiced solving economic problems. Communication with the cheerful Agrik, a fairy-tale character, the symbol of Belagroprombank's children's savings program "Rasti bolshoy!" ("Grow Big!"), added a special note of positivity.

The most important moment of the celebration for the children was the presentation of a colorful illustrated collection of financial stories in Belarusian, "Tvae pershyya finansy," and other memorable prizes and gifts from the bank.

The book "Tvae pershyya finansy" tells in an interesting and accessible way about the history of money, the benefits and necessity of banks, how to use money correctly, what it means to be financially literate and modern, what deposits, loans, bank payment cards are, and much more. The book even includes a glossary of financial terms.

The creators of the project made sure that the book "Tvae pershyya finansy" would be a good aid for children in mastering the world of finance. Following the main characters of the book, Alesik, Stefka, and the fairy-tale character Agrik, young readers will be able to immerse themselves in the fascinating world of finance and make unexpected discoveries for themselves. The main value of the book "Tvae pershyya finansy" lies in its practical focus and usefulness. When talking about a financial product, it always helps to solve a relevant everyday issue.

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In total, about 100,000 people took part in Belagroprombank's events across Belarus.

belarusian schoolchildren across the country. In Mogilev and the Mogilev region, the book "Your First Finances" was received by more than 10,000 fifth-graders, and financial literacy lessons were held in 331 schools.

The history of the "Your First Finances" project dates back to September 2014. Then, as part of this large-scale social initiative aimed at introducing schoolchildren to the basics of financial literacy, about 25,000 fifth-graders from rural and some urban schools in the country received the collection of children's fairy tales on financial topics "Your First Finances". In 2015, the books were distributed to 88,000 fifth-graders, and in 2016 – early 2017, 96,000 fifth-graders became owners of financial fairy tales from Belagroprombank. Over the years of the project's existence, about 300,000 schoolchildren have received financial literacy books.

Practice shows that the earlier a person begins to grasp the laws of any science, the more effectively they can apply them in life. And financial literacy is precisely that science, the effective mastery of which will help a young person develop into a successful and self-confident individual. Therefore, the study of financial literacy should begin from the school bench, which Belagroprombank strives to promote.