Bulgaria participates in the Global Money Week initiative for yet another year. Global Money Week is an annual global awareness-raising campaign to ensure that young people, from an early age, are financially aware, and are gradually acquiring the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours necessary to make sound financial decisions. The 13th edition of the campaign continues until March 23. It is organized by the International Network on Financial Education of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The coordinator of the national initiatives in Bulgaria is Junior Achievement (JA) Bulgaria.

Since the beginning of the week, a Financial Literacy Program for students has been taking place in dozens of schools across Bulgaria, with the participation of volunteers and financial experts. The focus of the thematic lessons is on critical thinking in financial decisions and goes under the motto "Think before you follow, wise money tomorrow". They encourage young people to be conscious consumers, avoid scams in the digital world, and build sustainable financial habits in spending and saving.

"We aim to prepare them to manage their money wisely and recognize financial risks," said Ventsislava Venkova, regional coordinator of Junior Achievement Bulgaria, speaking to BNR-Varna. "In the digital age, both we and young people are bombarded every day with advertisements, financial offers, among them fraudulent schemes. Influencers on social media can also have a significant impact on the financial habits of young people. And for these reasons, we want to encourage young people to think critically when making important financial decisions, and even in their daily spending", Ventsislava Venkova explained.

The organizers report increased interest from more and more schools and universities across the country, further proving that financial literacy is becoming an increasingly important and valued skill among young people.

Junior Achievement Bulgaria's key initiatives and competitions for 2025 continue in the coming weeks. Among them is the practical program "My Financial Class Hour", where financial experts will visit students from 10th to 12th grade in schools across 14 towns in Bulgaria until May 16. Practical exercises will also be held, one of which is comprehensive expense planning based on a specific project named "My First Car". The Competition "Wallet of the Future", a creative challenge for the youngest to design an innovative wallet with features such as budgeting and financial tips, will continue until March 31.