The Erasmus+ program “Empowering Youth Through Financial Literacy” was successfully completed at Sakarya University of Applied Sciences (Türkiye), bringing together students from five countries and providing participants with valuable knowledge in financial literacy as well as experience in intercultural communication. Representatives of Lviv University of Trade and Economics actively participated in the events, presented Ukraine, and gained invaluable impressions from their stay at the partner university.
From March 7 to March 14, 2026, students from Türkiye, Georgia, Kosovo, Poland, and Ukraine attended lectures, interactive workshops, cultural excursions, and took part in intercultural evenings and discussions.
The aim of the program was to develop financial literacy skills, promote the exchange of cultural traditions, and foster international friendship.
The university was represented by students enrolled in the educational programs “Law,” “Finance, Banking and Insurance,” “Accounting and Taxation,” “Accounting and Legal Support of Business Management,” and “Management.” The students were accompanied by Associate Professor Iryna Chui, a faculty member of the Department of Finance, Economic Security, Banking, and Insurance Business, who also participated in academic discussions.
The students presented the cultural features of Ukraine and took part in workshops on budgeting, financial technologies, and artificial intelligence in finance. The program included lectures and seminars covering topics such as: the history of money and its role in the economy; mandatory and discretionary consumer expenditures, inflation, foreign currency, and budgeting; portfolio management; financial resilience within the EU; budget planning; digitalization and fintech tools; artificial intelligence in finance.
The intercultural exchange component included a Turkish cultural night, joint presentations of participating countries, and excursions to museums in the city of Sakarya and notable sites in the region.
At the conclusion of the program, participants completed a final assessment, received certificates and gifts, and delivered final group presentations.
Thanks to the short-term Erasmus+ academic mobility program, participants acquired practical skills in financial planning and personal finance management. Students also strengthened connections with peers from other countries, which will contribute to future academic and professional projects. Through this program, representatives of Lviv University of Trade and Economics successfully showcased Ukrainian culture, educational traditions, and promoted Ukraine at the international level.
Overall, the Erasmus+ program in Sakarya became a powerful platform for the exchange of knowledge and cultural values, while also highlighting the importance of financial literacy for modern youth. The participation of students and faculty from Lviv University of Trade and Economics represents a significant contribution to the development of international cooperation and academic mobility.
