Building on the success of the first edition, which saw the participation of 800 Italian students, Experian relaunches “Include Me at School”, the project dedicated to financial education for young people.

This year, the initiative, carried out in collaboration with Microlab Association and FEduF (ABI), will involve new students, reaching 1,000 high school students in Italy aged between 14 and 19 years, and will expand its scope by opening up to thousands of young people through a new online initiative.

According to the OECD, 20% of Italian students do not have sufficient financial skills, a worrying figure that highlights the need to invest in educating the younger generation on these topics. Moreover, 50% of Italians today are in some form of debt, demonstrating how important it is to acquire a solid understanding of financial tools. “Include Me at School” responds to this challenge with an innovative approach, using gamification to provide young people with the foundational skills needed to manage their money responsibly, make informed decisions, and avoid the pitfalls of debt.

A Concrete Commitment to Financial Education

“Include Me at School” offers students a two-hour classroom training course based on the PlanWise WebApp. Through a realistic simulation of managing a personal budget over an entire year, young people experience firsthand the long-term consequences of their daily spending choices, learning not only the basics of financial management but also the importance of considering their impact on environmental sustainability, quality of life, and both individual and collective health.

With each spending choice within the simulation, PlanWise associates three indicators: green (environmental sustainability), comfort (quality of life), and health, which generate a positive or negative score depending on how well the decisions align with criteria of social and personal responsibility. Gamification, with challenges, missions, and rewards, makes learning more engaging and motivating, encouraging young people to delve into the concepts and put the skills they have acquired into practice. The game mechanics, structured in two phases (budget setting and monthly management of income/expenses for 12 months, with the possibility of investing or requesting loans), allow young people to grasp the long-term impact of financial decisions.

From School to Social Media: The Competition Expands to All Youth Aged 14 to 19
“Include Me at School” aims to encourage learning and competition through a national contest dedicated both to the students directly involved and to all young people aged 14 to 19, with prizes up to €500:

• Include Me School Competition: The classes participating in the project throughout the year can compete in a national ranking. Prizes of up to €500 are available for the top five students who achieve the highest scores.
• Include Me Social Competition: Open to all young people aged 14 to 19 who, using the PlanWise app, can engage in the simulation independently. The top 10 players with the highest scores, recorded by May 31, will win prizes worth €150.

Experian’s Commitment to a Financially Aware Future
The “Include Me at School” project is part of Experian’s broader strategy for social innovation and financial inclusion. Leveraging its expertise in data science, analytics, and machine learning, Experian develops innovative solutions to improve people’s lives, promoting greater financial awareness and responsibility. The “people first” approach and ongoing commitment to financial education are at the core of this initiative, supported by Experian’s global “United for Financial Health” program, which aims to use technology for positive social impact.

Laura Ippolito, Marketing Director at Experian, commented: “At Experian, we firmly believe that financial education is a fundamental right, and ‘Include Me at School’ represents our tangible commitment to equipping young people with the skills they need for a prosperous future. Through gamification and our expertise, we transform learning into an engaging and accessible experience, helping young people make informed financial decisions and manage their resources responsibly. This project reflects our vision of a world where technology and innovation serve people, promoting inclusion and sustainable economic growth.”

“The playful approach to financial education is a teaching method that also engages girls and boys on an emotional level,” commented Giovanna Boggio Robutti, Director General of FEduF, “integrating traditional learning. To bring awareness and competence to young people, it’s essential to use a mix of tools and languages that spark their curiosity and engage them in a concrete way.”

“‘Include Me at School’ represents a turning point in the approach to financial education,” declared Emiliana Borruto, National Coordinator of Microlab Association Odv. “We want to offer young people concrete and engaging tools to manage money and build a secure financial future. Our mission is to promote financial inclusion at all levels.”

“Include Me at School” directly contributes to achieving several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 4 (Quality Education), Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities).