Financial Literacy Exchange in Košice

A group of selected students travelled to Slovakia following the start of February to complete the final stage of our Visegrad mini-project, "Financial Literacy Without Borders." Building on the foundations laid during the autumn exchange in Prague, this mobility focused on bridging the gap between classroom theory and the professional financial world.

The educational programme was intensive and highly rewarding. Our students had the opportunity to engage directly with industry experts from the fields of investment, finance, and real estate. These sessions provided a rare "behind-the-scenes" look at how these markets operate, offering practical insights into money management and investment strategies that are vital for today's youth.

However, the trip was about more than just lectures; it was a major platform for our student-led initiatives. We officially presented the EPAS project and our student company, Ecopaws, to an audience of Slovak teachers and peers, sharing our mission of social and environmental entrepreneurship.

To make the experience even more interactive, we set up a dedicated promotional stall. This served as a hub for our activities, where we successfully sold our sustainable products and organised a denim collection drive for our upcycling initiative. For the Ecopaws team, this face-to-face interaction was invaluable. It allowed us to scout for potential partnerships with local sheltered workshops, marking a significant step in our strategy to enter the Slovak market while maintaining a minimal carbon footprint.

The Košice mobility was a resounding success, leaving us with strengthened international friendships, enhanced financial knowledge, and exciting prospects for the future of Ecopaws.