France’s Financial Education Week 2025: Empowering Citizens Through Financial Literacy

From March 17th to 23rd, 2025, France will host its annual Financial Education Week, a nationwide initiative designed to improve financial literacy among citizens of all ages. Organized by the Banque de France and partners within the EDUCFI financial education strategy, the week will feature conferences, workshops, and online resources focused on budgeting, personal finance, and professional financial management.

A Global Initiative with Local Impact

Part of the Global Money Week, an OECD-backed initiative active in 176 countries since 2012, the French iteration aims to provide accessible and reliable financial information. This year’s theme, “Ne suis pas n’importe qui pour tes finances, privilégie la vigilance” (Don’t trust just anyone with your finances, prioritize vigilance), underscores the importance of safeguarding against financial scams, particularly those prevalent on social media platforms.

Key Events and Focus Areas

The week kicks off on March 17th with a launch event at the Banque de France in Paris. The event includes:

• 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Opening remarks by Agnès Bénassy-Quéré, Deputy Governor of the Banque de France, followed by a conference titled “Young People, Social Networks and Investments: A Winning Trio?”
• 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM: A forum showcasing the EDUCFI strategy, with stands and workshops hosted by partner organizations including AFG, CRESUS, the French Banking Federation (FBF), Finances et Pédagogie, France Assureurs, France ESF, La finance pour tous, UNAF, and UNCCAS.

The week’s program covers a broad range of financial topics, including:

• Budget management
• Personal finance
• Professional financial planning
• Avoiding debt and managing financial hardship
• Energy expenditure control
• Investment strategies
• Entrepreneurship and banking relationships

Addressing the Rise in Financial Scams

Recent data highlights a growing concern regarding investment fraud in France. According to authorities, 3.2% of French citizens have fallen victim to investment scams, a threefold increase in three years. The average financial loss per victim reached €69,000 for fake savings accounts and €19,000 for fraudulent loans in the first three quarters of 2024. Scams related to crypto-assets are likewise on the rise, with average losses of €29,000 reported as of November 2024 [La Finance Pour Tous].

Educational Initiatives for Young People

The Banque de France collaborates with the French national education system to deliver financial education to middle school students. This program covers fundamental concepts such as income and expenses, bank accounts, insurance, fraud, and online scams. Successful students receive a “financial education passport” upon completion [Banque de France].

Regional Events

Local organizations are also contributing to Financial Education Week. In Maine-et-Loire, Familles Rurales, the UDAF, CLCV, and the Banque de France are hosting events in Angers and Baugé from March 17th to 21st, 2025, focusing on budgeting tips, scam awareness, and financial knowledge testing [Familles Rurales Maine-et-Loire].

Resources and Registration

For a complete program and registration details for the March 17th events, visit MesQuestionsdArgent.fr.

France Bleu also reported on the 10th edition of the Financial Education Week, with the theme “L’argent, osons en parler!” (Money, let’s dare to talk about it!) [France Bleu].