Global Money Week (GMW), a Child and Youth Financial Initiative, is organised by the OECD International Network on Financial Education. GMW is an annual global awareness campaign to ensure that young people, from an early age, become financially aware and gradually acquire the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviours necessary to make sound financial decisions and ultimately achieve financial well-being and resilience.
The campaign is coordinated by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and implemented by national authorities. The 14th edition of Global Money Week will be held between 16 and 22 March 2026. The GMW 2026 theme is “Smart Money Talks.”
Organisations across the world host their own GMW events during the week and share news, photos, and information with the GMW Secretariat. These activities are interconnected through social media and the GMW website.
In Nepal, organisations interested in conducting GMW activities can coordinate with the national coordinator. Nepal Rastra Bank serves as the GMW National Coordinator.
The primary aim of GMW is to empower children and young people through financial education, equipping them with essential life skills—from budgeting, saving, and spending wisely to protecting themselves from fraud, scams, and other risks. It promotes the development of sound financial habits through practical, hands-on learning and engaging approaches.
NMB, NBI join hands for financial literacy program
Financial literacy can be categorised into different levels based on individuals’ understanding and proficiency. The first level is basic financial literacy, which involves understanding fundamental concepts such as income, expenses, savings, and debt. This level is particularly relevant for children, youth, farmers, remittance senders, and their families, who need to focus on basic budgeting and saving practices.
The second level is intermediate financial knowledge. Individuals at this stage have a deeper understanding of financial systems and can apply their knowledge in real-life situations. They are familiar with banks, financial institutions, insurance companies, and financial products such as savings accounts, loans, and investments.
The third level is advanced financial competence. Individuals at this level possess a comprehensive understanding of complex financial topics such as investing, retirement planning, taxation, and risk management. They are capable of making informed decisions and managing finances efficiently over the long term. This group often includes professionals such as financial advisors, accountants, and economists.
Financial illiteracy remains a critical barrier to financial inclusion. Due to limited knowledge of financial products and services, many people are excluded from formal banking systems and financial markets. Therefore, financial literacy is essential for individual well-being and the overall health of an economy.
According to OECD data, since its launch in 2012, Global Money Week has reached over 71 million children and young people in 176 countries and territories. This year’s theme, “Smart Money Talks,” emphasises the importance of open conversations about personal finance. Many young people find financial discussions daunting or lack confidence in asking money-related questions. By encouraging dialogue and sharing experiences, they can build confidence and develop essential financial skills.
Financial education provides tools—from budgeting basics to navigating digital finance—that help prevent mistakes and reduce financial anxiety. It enables young people to build healthy financial habits and take control of their financial future.
However, personal finance also involves risks, including scams and fraud such as phishing, money muling, online shopping scams, and data privacy threats like identity theft. Young people are particularly vulnerable due to limited experience and knowledge.
The official slogan of Global Money Week is “Learn. Save. Earn.” It reflects the campaign’s core message: empowering young people to manage money wisely, save for the future, and generate income responsibly.
According to the Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center S&P Global FinLit Survey, only 33 per cent of adults worldwide are financially literate, compared to 57 per cent in the United States. Globally, 35 per cent of men and 30 per cent of women are financially literate. The survey highlights low global financial literacy levels, with numeracy and inflation being the most understood concepts, while risk diversification remains the least understood. Women and young people are identified as particularly vulnerable groups.
In Nepal, Nepal Rastra Bank is coordinating nationwide programmes through its regional offices. Various institutions—including the Nepal Insurance Authority, Securities Board of Nepal, Cooperative Department, National Banking Institute Limited, Employees Provident Fund, Citizen Investment Trust, banks, financial institutions, payment service providers, remittance companies, and share brokers—are actively organising financial awareness initiatives.
These programmes include student interactions, awareness contests, essay and quiz competitions, audio-visual content, media broadcasts, and public rallies.
In the Nepali context, children, youth, farmers, remittance senders, and their families must prioritise financial literacy. This can help reduce financial risks, exploitation, and reliance on informal or illegal practices such as dhukuti and hundi.
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