Professional support for young people and increasing financial literacy
In January, a mini branch office was opened in MiniCity Ljubljana in BTC. Over ten events, the youngest became familiar with banking operations.
The Bank is delivering the “Increasing Financial Literacy of Youth” programme in primary and secondary schools in Slovenia. Experienced lecturers from the NLB discuss the extremely important skill of handling money wisely, one of the key lessons for personal and professional life. More than 40 lectures were held in 2016. Equally active is NLB Banka Podgorica, which makes donations for school equipment and regularly organises training for young people to help them become financially independent.
Enhancing financial literacy and promoting efficient use of financial tools
MiniCity Ljubljana
Borut Pahor, President of Slovenia, and young enthusiasts at MiniCity
On Universal Children's Day, 20 November, MiniCity’s organising party prepared several children’s workshops and young enthusiasts were also honoured with a visit by the President of Slovenia, Borut Pahor.
On behalf of all Volunteer Fire Fighters Associations in Ljubljana, we wish to thank the NLB for the free tickets for the young fire fighters and their families. You created a truly wonderful event the children will talk about for quite some time. Thank you again, we will be happy to have another such opportunity in the future. Fire fighters' greeting to all NLB personnel – Help!
Personal finance management skills – pocket money
The prudent management of funds does not emerge by itself, as this skill requires learning. We have thus been delivering the “Increasing Financial Literacy” project for three years in primary and secondary schools in the form of extracurricular activities.
As one of the most important financial institutions in the region, we are aware of the mission – to share such knowledge. For this purpose, we have prepared several workshops, advice, tools, which are available in Slovene language at NLB website.
A child needs to learn to understand money – where it comes from, how it is spent and above all that its supply is not unlimited. Pocket money is very helpful, especially when adults are making ever more payments with cards and children cannot learn by simply observing adults.
NLB workshop in the financial seminar for the high school students in Hotel Union, Ljubljana
In the first week of July, the Innovative Entrepreneurship Centre hosted the participants of the Summer School of Cultural Management. The project was this year again organised under the auspices of the Art Council of the University of Ljubljana and the Faculty of Economics in cooperation with AG (Academy of Music), AGRFT (Academy for Theatre, Radio, Film and Television) and ALU (Academy of Fine Arts). The central topic was Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Culture. At the workshops conducted at the Bank, with the assistance of bank experts the participants tackled various projects in the field of culture – from company foundation to financial evaluation of an entire project. The Bank’s advice on organising personal and business finance was very helpful.
At the end of August 2016, pupils from primary schools of all ages tried themselves out in entrepreneurship – from the creation of an idea to its realisation and, in the end, presentation of the campaign on proper Kickstarter.
The summer entrepreneurial workshop for children featured Niko Klanšek, an excellent lecturer and experienced young entrepreneur. He gained several years’ business experience in New York, where he successfully launched two companies on Kickstarter. He helped the children learn about the Bank and, in an entertaining way, made them familiar with savings habits and how to present their junior ‘entrepreneurial ideas’ to investors.
Niko Klanšek (far left) is raising young “Kickstarters”
The NLB Summer School 2016
By organising the NLB Summer School, we demonstrate social responsibility to young people, particularly with the aim of enabling them to be active in the business world based on knowledge obtained in school and newly acquired experience. Even though groups compete among each other in finding the best solution, ultimately all participants are winners. The greatest victory is the exchange of knowledge and forming of new friendships.
At the start of September 2016 we carried out an 8-day NLB Summer School. It was organised for the second consecutive year for the students of four faculties of the University of Ljubljana and the University of Maribor.
About 30 students, divided into groups, took on the Mobile platform challenge in the world of finance. The winning group demonstrated its innovative character already in its choice of name – New Ljubljana Beavers (“Novi ljubljanski bobri”). This is the main goal of such summer schools. Freshness, creativity, youthful innovation and the desire for knowledge were displayed by all participants without exception. This acts as an additional incentive for us to continue connecting knowledge and practice in the future.
The students carefully listened to a speech by Blaž Brodnjak, President of the Management Board