Smile Foundation in association with Sanchayan Society launched a financial literacy project – Sanchayan Financial Literacy Programme, for the underprivileged youth to facilitate their financial inclusion and teach them the optimum utilization of available financial instruments. This programme was launched on August 28, 2010, by an electrifying music performance by Pratham. With the use of Indian folk and classical instruments, the band got everyone enthused.
The Sanchayan Financial Literacy Programme has received international recognition from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), as a part of the financial literacy initiatives undertaken in India. The only other financial literacy initiatives in the country have been taken by RBI and SEBI.
This programme will be conducted at the STeP centres of Smile Foundation. The programme module includes the basics of banking, investment management, Indian economy, the global financial crisis, features of various financial instruments and the risk associated with each instrument. The module also includes workshops using innovative games and videos on banking and investment..