Helping women gain the tools to manage their finances independently and confidently, this is the driving idea behind GBFE – Gender Balance in Financial Education, a European project funded by the Erasmus+ programme, promoted by Fondazione Arezzo Innovazione and coordinated by OpenCom.
The final conference took place on 30 September at the University of Siena – Arezzo Campus, as part of a lecture by Professor Claudio Melacarne, who teaches General Pedagogy at the Department of Education, Human Sciences and Intercultural Communication (DIPOSC).
Followed by more than 150 students, both in person and online, the event was organised by OpenCom, in collaboration with Fondazione Arezzo Innovazione, as a space for dialogue between research, education, the banking world and local associations.
Over two years of transnational collaboration, OpenCom coordinated the work of the European partnership, comprising Markeut Skills (Spain), ARISE (Austria) and Euro Education Bulgaria (Bulgaria), and directly managed several core outputs of the project.
In addition to the Handbook “Anna’s Journey to Financial Independence”, a methodological guide for trainers based on virtual simulations and immersive storytelling, OpenCom developed the interactive e-learning platform, produced a series of educational video-pills, carried out research involving 165 women across four European countries, and designed the methodological framework for financial education aimed at both trainers and learners.
This integrated approach turned GBFE into a hands-on laboratory for educational, digital and social innovation.
The conference opened with remarks from Marco Morbidelli, President of Fondazione Arezzo Innovazione, who emphasised the value of working with the University of Siena as an example of fruitful cooperation between academia and the local education system.
In his address, he reminded the audience that “financial education is not just about economic knowledge, it’s a tool for inclusion and autonomy, giving voice to experiences that too often remain unseen and helping to build lasting change.”
The heart of the event lay in the contributions from the speakers, who offered different yet complementary perspectives grounded in social reality.
Ursula Armstrong, President of the Pronto Donna Association, addressed the issue of economic violence, now officially recognised as a distinct form of abuse, explaining how her organisation supports women in identifying and overcoming situations of financial control.
Mirco Romoli, Head of Strategy and Innovation at Banca Tema, presented the work of cooperative banks in promoting financial inclusion and supporting associations that help women rebuild economic independence.
Gabriella Salvietti, a former Lebole factory worker now retired, shared a powerful personal story about the challenge of living on a pension of less than a thousand euros, reminding the audience that “we need a deeper reflection on the value of work and dignity.”
In her speech, Erina Guraziu, President of OpenCom, highlighted the project’s educational and technological innovation: “We wanted to create safe, digital and inclusive learning environments where women can experiment, make mistakes and learn, gaining confidence in their ability to manage their finances. Only then does learning become true empowerment.”
Andrea Repek, Director of the communication agency Inedita, moderated the discussion and encouraged lively exchanges between speakers and students, turning the event into an engaging and participatory dialogue.
The conference demonstrated that when approached inclusively and collaboratively, financial education can become a driver of empowerment and active citizenship, helping to close the gender gap and strengthen social cohesion.