Youth Policy Dialogue Focuses on Money Management Skills
On April 30, 2026, Commissioner Maria Luís Albuquerque conducted a youth policy dialogue with a diverse group of 15 young Europeans, emphasizing the critical need to enhance financial literacy across the continent. The participants, winners of a video competition, gathered to express their insights and suggestions in an in-person setting with the Commissioner.
The discussion began with fundamental money management skills, where the young attendees identified a pressing requirement for increased funding and resources dedicated to financial literacy throughout Europe. While acknowledging the European Union’s limited influence over national educational curricula, several participants advocated for the implementation of mandatory financial education in schools. They proposed additional initiatives, such as voluntary mentoring programs within educational institutions and workplaces, aimed at guiding young people in their financial journeys. To broaden accessibility, the group suggested offering free online financial literacy courses across the EU. Moreover, they highlighted the necessity of addressing gender disparities as well as inequalities associated with socioeconomic status, disabilities, and migration backgrounds in the context of financial education.
Shifting the conversation towards investment encouragement, participants articulated the importance of making financial education more accessible, tailored, and available from an early age. One individual suggested leveraging free or affordable online courses designed for a wide audience to demystify complex subjects like pension systems, which can vary greatly between EU countries and often leave young adults feeling uncertain about their financial futures. The participants also underscored the need to bridge the pervasive gender investment gap, where women’s engagement in investing remains significantly lower than that of men.
The dialogue culminated with a discussion about the digital landscape concerning financial literacy. Participants raised awareness of the increasing issue of young individuals falling into financial troubles due to “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) schemes, urging for robust regulatory frameworks to mitigate the risk of debt accumulation. Concurrently, they acknowledged the advantages of digital tools that can simplify money management and improve access to financial services. The conversation also addressed the influence of social media and content creators, who can often glamorize unattainable consumption behaviors, thereby distorting financial priorities and exacerbating social divisions. Participants deliberated on how to effectively engage young audiences with financial literacy content, recognizing the dual role that social media platforms and “finfluencers” play as both potential sources of misinformation and valuable channels for educational discourse.
Commissioner Albuquerque expressed gratitude to the participants for their valuable contributions and reassured them that their insights would be integrated into ongoing and future initiatives. She concluded by encouraging the young individuals to return to their everyday lives enriched with newfound knowledge and the experience of having shared their thoughts.
