Financial Literacy Special Champions: A program for students with special educational needs

At ERGO.Academy, we have been designing and implementing financial literacy programs since 2015. Over the years, we have developed five Handbooks-Guides and organized numerous training sessions and awareness meetings with teachers and parents. Through our close interaction with them, we received valuable feedback highlighting the need for a financial literacy program specifically tailored to students attending Laboratory of Special Professional Education and Training (E.E.E.E.K.) and Unified Special Vocational High School and Lyceum (EN.E.E.GY-L.) across Greece.

Responding to this need and guided by the principle of inclusion, we created the "Learning to Transact" Guide, an innovative educational tool for financial literacy.

As part of the educational material development process, we conducted Focus Groups with teachers from E.E.E.E.K. and EN.E.E.GY-L. The aim was to gather insights and exchange ideas regarding the needs of students in these schools. Adapting the content of the Guide and striving to meet a broad range of learning needs was a significant challenge for us.

The Guide is designed for E.E.E.E.K. and EN.E.E.GY-L. educators. It is a flexible and adaptable educational tool that supports the teaching of fundamental financial knowledge and skills to students with special educational needs. Additionally, it enables educators to enhance students’ interpersonal and social skills, fostering autonomy and social integration.

What does the Guide include?

• Financial education lessons with practical applications

• Experiential learning activities with differentiated instruction for a personalized approach

• Practice in basic transactions, budgeting, and saving

• Empowerment of self-image, social skills, and financial independence

All educators who participated in our awareness meetings have received the educational material and have access to continuous support and mentoring throughout the program’s implementation in schools.

The feedback we have received from teachers motivates and inspires us to continue our mission. It strengthens our belief that education can truly become inclusive and accessible. We hope that this Guide will serve as a valuable tool in the important work of educators.

Action implemented with the support of John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation in the framework of "Points of Support", a co-funded programme by John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, Captain Vassilis and Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation, A. G. Leventis Foundation, AC Laskaridis Charitable Foundation, Costas M. Lemos Foundation, Social and Cultural Affairs Welfare Foundation (KIKPE), The Hellenic Initiative Canada, Athina I. Martinou Foundation, The Helidoni Foundation, and Bodossaki Foundation.

Written by: Thodoris Papastathopoulos, Marina Karadimitriou, Maria Lykidou, Panagiotis Sofios, Ilias Vasileiou

Designed by: Pandelis Chatziiordanoglou