Koenig & Bauer and Aflatoun launch the global “MoneyBox” initiative to promote children’s financial education

Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions, a subsidiary of Koenig & Bauer AG, together with the NGO Aflatoun International, have presented “MoneyBox”, a tangible educational system based on cash designed to teach finance to children and young people around the world. The initiative seeks to offer concrete data on how banknotes can become learning tools with social impact.

The core of the program consists of educational banknotes and a box called “MoneyBox” with four compartments: income, expenses, savings, and loans. This design allows students to physically interact with abstract financial concepts, making them visible and adaptable to each cultural context. The methodology follows a learning plan that reflects the daily challenges and decisions of the participants, in collaboration with local teachers and educators.

The educational banknotes are printed applying design principles of authentic banknotes: micro-prints, security symbols, and narrative illustrations. Each banknote also includes symbolic messages about social and ecological values. For example, the income banknote shows a young person planting a sprout, teaching that generating resources requires effort, time, and dedication, similar to caring for a tree.

The pilot phase covers more than 20,000 participants in 18 countries, including Rwanda, Mexico, and Nepal, with content adapted to local languages and realities. The program is designed to work offline, promoting inclusion, and actively involves parents, teachers, and community leaders.

Eric Boissonnas, CEO of Koenig & Bauer Banknote Solutions, highlighted that “MoneyBox leverages the power of the banknote as an instrument of self-determination, not just as a means of payment.” According to Boissonnas, the combination of technological precision and social purpose allows redefining the role of money, turning it into a resource for independence and learning.

For her part, Kirsten Theuns, Director of Partnerships & Development at Aflatoun, emphasizes that “children learn best by doing.” The practical experience transforms abstract financial concepts into inclusive and meaningful experiences, integrated into the daily lives of the participants.

The banknotes are produced with the same precision and care as real money, guaranteeing a realistic and safe educational experience. In addition to teaching about finance, the banknotes incorporate cultural, ecological, and social values, promoting reflection on how resources are obtained, used, and shared responsibly.