CySEC launches drive to boost financial skills for young people

The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) on Monday announced its participation in Global Money Week 2026, launching a series of educational initiatives aimed at strengthening young people’s financial literacy and encouraging responsible financial decision-making.

The campaign is being held from March 16 to March 22, 2026 and marks the 14th consecutive year of the international awareness campaign organised by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to promote financial education among younger generations.

Through its programme of activities, CySEC seeks to equip young people with essential financial knowledge and skills, helping them to manage their finances effectively while building the confidence to make responsible and well-informed financial decisions.

The initiative is part of the authority’s wider effort to cultivate a sound financial mindset among young people and strengthen their ability to navigate increasingly complex financial environments.

This year’s campaign theme, “Smart Money Talks”, focuses on the challenges faced by young people as they enter the financial world and begin to handle practical matters such as earning their first income, managing a personal budget, understanding investment products and protecting themselves from financial risks and scams.

CySEC explained that young people today are increasingly required to navigate complex financial decisions, which makes early financial education particularly important in developing responsible financial behaviour.

Recognising this need, the commission said it aims to support students by providing them with knowledge and practical financial tools that will help them develop healthy financial habits and strengthen their critical thinking when making financial choices.

CySEC launched its activities for the campaign with a lecture delivered by vice-chairman Panikkos Vakkou at UCLan Cyprus, marking the beginning of a series of events planned throughout the week.

The programme will include lectures and presentations at schools and universities delivered by CySEC officials, designed to introduce students to key concepts related to financial management and investment awareness.

In addition, CySEC is developing educational and training material for schools in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth, within the framework of the Cyprus Financial Literacy and Education Committee (CyFLEC).

These materials are intended to support both students and educators and enable them to participate actively in Global Money Week and related financial education activities.

CySEC will also run a social media awareness campaign aimed at engaging younger audiences while providing practical guidance on responsible money management.

The authority further plans to publish articles, interviews and educational guides through the media in order to broaden public understanding of the importance of financial literacy.

As part of the initiative, CySEC will also participate in a podcast organised in collaboration with the Financial Wellbeing Institute, highlighting the role of financial education and presenting the activities carried out during the campaign.

Moreover, CySEC said it has informed all supervised entities about its participation in Global Money Week and the key messages of the campaign, encouraging them to undertake their own initiatives to promote financial education.

“Financial knowledge is one of the most valuable tools we can offer the younger generation,” said CySEC chairman George Theocharides.

“In a world where financial choices are becoming increasingly complex, young people need guidance, access to reliable information and the appropriate tools to understand risks, assess their options and manage their finances responsibly and safely,” he added.

“Through its Global Money Week initiatives, CySEC encourages students to cultivate a healthy financial mindset, strengthen their critical thinking, seek reliable sources of information and make informed and smart decisions about their financial future,” Theocharides continued.

Moreover, the commission explained that its participation in Global Money Week 2026 “forms part of its broader programme to promote and strengthen financial literacy in Cyprus, contributing to the development of a financially resilient society“.

“CySEC has been actively participating in this international campaign since 2022,” the announcement concluded.