Financial consumer education for young people: State Secretary Dr. Berges in conversation with the Financial Literacy Student Academy

Being competent in dealing with money is the basis for a good lifestyle without debt, regardless of age. The Ministry of Consumer Protection of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia is therefore committed to strengthening financial and consumer literacy.

Dr. Martin Berges, State Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, visited a student academy on financial literacy at the BVB Learning Centre in Dortmund on 30 June 2025 and exchanged ideas with students.

State Secretary Dr. Martin Berges: "The student academies are an opportunity to acquire skills relating to finance, consumption and rights in everyday consumer life. After all, young people face many challenges in their everyday lives that revolve around financial decisions. The state wants to empower pupils to make these decisions wisely and with foresight so that they can lead a financially self-determined life. I am therefore delighted that so many school classes are interested."

At the same time, the State Secretary promoted the interactive financial literacy textbook developed by the network, which is used as part of the student academies: "The interactive, digital textbook from the NRW Financial Literacy Network is a modern tool for teaching the central principles of economic education and everyday skills. The textbook addresses relevant content such as the rights and obligations of young consumers, which is presented in a clear way and supplemented by numerous interactive elements such as a current account simulation."

Financial Literacy Pupils' Academy
The "Pupils' Academy: Financial Literacy" was developed by the Financial Literacy Network NRW. After a test run in December 2022, it has been running continuously since 2023. So far, more than 50 schools with over 3,800 pupils have taken part.

An action-oriented approach is used to teach pupils about financial literacy. The Schülerakademie's target group is pupils in grades 7-10 as well as pupils at vocational colleges on suitable courses. The project day can take place both at school and at extracurricular learning locations. The pupils go through a total of six stations, where they are guided and supported by the networkers. The Student Academy is organized and run by the Digital Business Education department at the University of Siegen.

Interactive textbook
The interactive textbook on financial literacy can be used both in regular face-to-face lessons and in digital distance learning. It is aimed at pupils at lower secondary level and special schools - based on the current core curricula of the respective school type and the consumer education framework.

Netzwerk Finanzkompetenz NRW
The aim of the state government is to anchor responsible consumer behavior among consumers and to strengthen their financial skills. The North Rhine-Westphalian Ministry of Consumer Protection therefore launched the Financial Literacy Network back in 2006. It supports, organizes and promotes the network's work. The network is supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Consumer Protection of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Further information on the financial literacy network, the interactive textbook and registration options for the student academies can be found at www.netzwerk-finanzkompetenz.nrw.de