InvestKids aims to raise financial culture and discipline among children and youth from the 5th to the 12th grade. The project is dedicated to helping children gain access to understandable and properly presented information on how money and various financial instruments function. The goal is to bring up financially literate and calm young people, who make rational decisions and don't risk their well-being.
The idea about the project came from Bozhidar Balevski – a financial expert and the creator of an online media dedicated to financial analyses and investments, along with his friend Emil Benov - a business and marketing expert with international experience. According to them the financial literacy gives a chance to live a life full of freedom and opportunities, but this goal would be out of reach unless you have the necessary knowledge.
The problem that Bozhidar and Emil encountered was the low level of teaching financial literacy in Bulgaria – not only in the secondary educational system, but also as a general knowledge in the country. According to statistics published by The Atlas, Bulgaria is ranked 72nd in the Global Financial Literacy Ranking alongside Cote d’Ivoire and Gabon. The two entrepreneurs believe that financial literacy is the key to making rational decisions and the financial freedom of every individual. In countries such as the US, Germany, Austria, and Italy the financial education of young people is an important part of public education, private sector initiatives, and social responsibility programs.
The solution came naturally to Bozhidar and Emil, who decided to translate the difficult scientific matter into a popular language that children can understand. Their goal is to change the negative trend seen in financial literacy in Bulgaria. This is how the idea of an innovative financial online academy for children and youth.
The contents published on Investclub Kids will be fully animated which will allow children of all ages to assimilate it freely and quickly. The lessons are in video format. The topics and cases are presented with easy-to-understand words and feature specific examples, considering the level of understanding among kids aged over 11.
The mission of Investclub Kids is to improve the financial literacy of children in a bid to prepare them for the small and big financial decisions they will have to make in their future lives. As a result of their initiative, children and youth will be able to decide whether a certain purchase is appropriate at a particular moment; they will be able to distinguish between a good and a bad investment; they will have the skills to save money, and they will know how and if it is appropriate to get a loan. They will know that they must think in perspective about their finances and all these skills will improve their competitiveness and well-being.
PROMYANATA (The Change) they seek to achieve:
The change that Bozhidar and Emil want to achieve through Investclub Kids is to ensure financial literacy is included in the school curricula one day in an easy-to-understand language. Their long-term goal is to ensure every child leaving middle school can make informed decisions about the important financial issues they will face as they enter the world of "grown-ups".
Bozhidar and Emil believe that the competitiveness of the young generations in Bulgaria can be improved by building their financial literacy and discipline from an early age.