STARTUP YOUR LIFE 2020 WINNERS ANNOUNCED

The closing event of the Startup Your Life 2020 competition took place virtually today. The contest is part of the financial and entrepreneurial education program offered by UniCredit Social Impact Banking to students across 300 schools in Italy. The event was also one of the Financial Education Month initiatives promoted by the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance.

The two winning projects, presented by students at the end of the financial and entrepreneurial course, were selected by a panel of experts and will receive thirteen computers for use at their schools, helping to further encourage school digitalisation.

The winners are:

Jugaad: a “Hindi” word meaning to find intelligent solutions with what is available. The project is a prepaid card that encourages the use of public transport or vehicles with a low environmental impact. Each time these are used points are credited to the card that can be converted into cash or discounts for sustainable services or products. The idea came from Class III C of I.I.S. Vittorio Emanuele II school in Naples.

ITERO – Repetita iuvant: a new app that aims to facilitate contact with teachers by organising meetings and courses for students in need of more in-depth lessons. The winning idea was presented by Class III F SCI of the Aristotle Scientific High School in Rome.

In addition, a further eight projects received a special mention at the ceremony for their innovative ideas.

Startup Your Life, launched in 2017 and recognised by the Italian Ministry of Education among the “pathways for transversal skills and orientation” has reached more than 41,000 students, providing over 2.6 million hours of training, including teaching and experiential design.

Students have access to a digital platform, as well as receiving tutoring from 400 volunteer educators, including UniCredit employees and former employees – part of the UniGens association. This year, all lessons were conducted remotely, ensuring the continuity of the program. In the new edition, all schools will also be offered free access to specialised applications for distance learning.

“Financial education is a key component of UniCredit Social Impact Banking. I am proud to successfully celebrate the conclusion of the third edition of the Startup Your Life programme and launch the fourth for the 2020/21 school year. Special thanks goes to all the 1,200 teachers who have supported the students in our programme and to the volunteers, UniCredit employees and former employees associated with UniGens, without whom this project would not have been possible,” said Jean Pierre Mustier, CEO UniCredit.

“Thanks to the three year Startup Your Life program, UniCredit has been able to promote the development of financial awareness amongst young people. With this project we have given future generations the opportunity to learn, not only the basics of the economy so that they are able to manage their assets and achieve financial independence, but also to experience how to do business and discover professional talents,” said Laura Penna, Head of Group Social Impact Banking.