The Austrian National Bank (OeNB) announced support for the Stiftung für Wirtschaftsbildung’s school pilot aimed at systematically embedding economic competence, including financial and consumer education, in teaching. As part of the initiative, around 50 school principals from across Austria met at the OeNB for a working session focused on how to implement these objectives sustainably in schools. The School Pilot on Economic Education has, since 2022, supported 59 lower secondary schools (Sekundarstufe I) with teaching materials, tailored professional development, individual school coaching, access to networks, and targeted financial support. The programme reports that more than 8,500 students have benefited so far, with more than 100 new classes added each school year and more than 150 teachers participating annually in training and networking, while schools decide locally how to implement the focus under school autonomy. Looking ahead, the foundation is developing a new school certificate for economic, financial and consumer education together with the education ministry, the finance ministry and the OeNB. The certificate programme will start with a lower secondary focus and expand step by step, with applications opening from mid-December.
Austrian National Bank (OeNB) 2025-10-23
Austrian National Bank supports Stiftung für Wirtschaftsbildung school pilot to embed economic and financial education
The Austrian National Bank (OeNB) supports the Stiftung für Wirtschaftsbildung’s initiative to integrate economic competence into school curricula, involving 50 school principals. Since 2022, the School Pilot on Economic Education has aided 59 lower secondary schools, benefiting over 8,500 students. A new certificate for economic, financial, and consumer education is being developed with the education and finance ministries, focusing on lower secondary education.