Allianz Türkiye Launches Financial Literacy Initiative for Young People

Allianz Turkey launches Financial Future project in partnership with UNDP Turkey and Habitat Association to increase financial literacy among young people and promote financial awareness across society, contributing to both individual and collective well-being.

The Financial Future project, designed as a long-term initiative, aims to reach 10,000 young people across the country in its first phase. The project launch took place at Habitat Gaziantep Station with the participation of Taylan Türköltmez, General Manager of Allianz Turkey Life and Pension Companies, Miodrag Dragisic, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Turkey, and Bora Caldu, Chairman of the Executive Board of Habitat Association.

Allianz Turkey, one of the leading insurance companies in Turkey, is launching a long-term, inclusive and multi-layered educational initiative to increase financial literacy across society. In this direction, the Financial Future project, implemented in partnership with UNDP Turkey and Habitat Association, aims to enhance the financial literacy skills of 10,000 young people through in-person and online training across the country. The project launch was held at Habitat Gaziantep Station. Taylan Türköltmez, General Manager of Allianz Turkey Life and Pension Companies, Miodrag Dragisic, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Turkey, and Bora Caldu, Chairman of the Executive Board of Habitat Association, visited the classroom at Habitat Gaziantep where training is being conducted. Özge Özacar, Volunteer Support Officer for the UNDP Turkey Financial Future Project, was also among the guests at Habitat Gaziantep Station.

One in three people worldwide is financially literate
According to Allianz data, globally, only one out of three adults has financial literacy. The picture is not much brighter among young people who increasingly use digitalized financial services. According to a report prepared by the OECD; more than two-thirds of 15-year-olds actively use financial products and services. However, 18% of students are classified as having "insufficient" financial literacy skills to even make basic financial decisions. 

"Financial literacy is a macroeconomic priority"
Taylan Türköltmez, General Manager of Allianz Turkey Life and Pension Companies, stating that financial literacy is not just a personal skill, but also a macroeconomic priority that helps households overcome economic difficulties, keeps markets stable, and enables economies to grow inclusively, said: "Financial literacy has become a strategic and fundamental life skill that today determines the value of financial resources, how they are protected, and the potential for future growth. With the Financial Future project, we aim to enhance young people's competencies in this area and create a measurable and lasting impact in terms of individual well-being and economic resilience. Our strong partners Habitat Association and UNDP Turkey, with whom we walk this journey, will strengthen our project by supporting the expansion of the impact area of the designed training model, facilitating access to training and promoting its dissemination."

"We are providing young people with the tools they need to imagine and build a better future"
Miodrag Dragisic, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Turkey, said: "Today, development is increasingly defined by resilience; that is, the capacity to withstand shocks, adapt to change, and plan for the future with confidence. At the heart of planning for the future with confidence lies financial literacy. Financial literacy enables young people to make informed decisions about their education, manage their resources effectively—which are often limited—and be prepared for the financial risks they may encounter during the transition to adulthood. When we invest in financial literacy, we build confidence, strengthen resilience, and provide young people with the tools they need to imagine and build a better future. Therefore, such initiatives are of great importance. Because when we invest in individuals and society as a whole, development becomes sustainable and long-term."

Bora Caldu: "We are building a sustainable ecosystem together with young people"
Bora Caldu, Chairman of the Executive Board of Habitat Association, said: "As Habitat Association, we have been conducting financial literacy work in the field for many years that has real-world impact and directly touches the lives of young people. Through the Financial Future Project, implemented in partnership with Allianz and UNDP, we aim to strengthen access to financial literacy, risk management and insurance topics for young people and young entrepreneurs aged 15–24. With 31 volunteer trainers selected from 81 provinces of Turkey, we have reached 563 young people in a short time and aim to reach 10,000 young people within a year. In addition to training, through FINHACK, financial coaching programs and digital tools, we are building a sustainable financial ecosystem co-created by young people. I would like to thank all our stakeholders, our volunteers, and the young people who add value to the project with their energy for making this process possible."

Training to be provided at youth hostels in Istanbul
The Financial Future Project, designed with an inclusive, accessible, straightforward but analytically rigorous structure, is built on a multi-layered and participatory training model. In its first phase, the project, focusing on young people aged 15–24, kicked off with trainer training conducted in December 2025. Volunteer trainers trained in the trainer training will transfer their training to high school and university students in schools and Habitat Association's community centers through collaboration with local governments and public institutions in all 81 provinces of Turkey. In addition to in-person training, the program will be supported with online training. All details about the training can be accessed through the Habitat Association's website. Participants who complete the training program will be entitled to receive a digital participation certificate. Within the scope of the project, it is aimed to implement the training in all youth hostels in Istanbul through the Provincial Youth and Sports Directorate and with its contribution, and to expand the training model to youth hostels in other provinces in the coming period. It is planned to progressively deepen training content for high school students, university students, young people entering the business world, and young entrepreneurs.

Training content will be made available digitally through the Allianz YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@finanslagelecek/) and the Habitat Association website (https://habitatdernegi.org/surdurulebilirlik/finansla-gelecek/) to ensure accessibility and continuity.