The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) marked this year’s Global Money Week by raising awareness about the risks, challenges, and evolving landscape of social media in investing.

The campaign aims to promote safer investment practices, particularly among young people and investors.

Global Money Week (GMW) is an annual international initiative led by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

It focuses on improving financial literacy among young people, equipping them with the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes to make informed financial decisions and achieve long-term financial well-being.

This year’s campaign placed special emphasis on the risks associated with the digital financial environment.

As part of its participation, CySEC launched a series of initiatives, including presentations, media articles, interviews, and a social media awareness campaign.

Chairman George Theocharides delivered a lecture at the University of Limassol titled “Think Smart, Act Responsibly: The Key to Financial Well-Being,” stressing the significance of financial education.

Meanwhile, Elena Karkoti, CySEC Officer A, responsible for financial education, spoke at a workshop for secondary school economics teachers, addressing key financial literacy issues.

The workshop aimed to help students identify misleading advertisements, scams, and the growing influence of “finfluencers” on public financial decisions.

CySEC has also launched a new cycle of lectures on financial management concepts such as budgeting, responsible spending, digital investment risks, and critical financial thinking.

These lectures, which will run until May, will benefit approximately 20 primary, middle, and high schools across Cyprus.

To further spread its message, CySEC officials participated in interviews across all major television networks.

Additionally, an article by CySEC Vice Chairman Panikkos Vakkou, along with interviews and reports, was published in print and online media, reinforcing the campaign’s key messages.

A dedicated social media campaign was also launched, featuring daily posts on digital safety aimed at young investors.

Further resources on safe investing are available through the Financial Education Hub on CySEC’s official website, which includes a section specifically designed for schools and educators.

CySEC also took part in an international conference hosted by the Cyprus Financial Literacy and Education Committee (CyFLEC), which featured distinguished speakers, academics, and financial experts from Cyprus and abroad.

The event, themed “Financial Literacy for the Youth: Preparing the Next Generation,” explored ways to improve financial education in Cyprus.

As part of the conference, CySEC hosted an interactive workshop titled “Dialogue with Stakeholders and CyFLEC’s Associates,” aimed at developing strategies for enhancing financial literacy.

Reflecting on the campaign, Theocharides expressed appreciation for the efforts of CySEC staff.

“The common goal of all supervisory authorities involved in the campaign is to inform and educate the public,” he said.

“The positive response, especially from young people, to these financial literacy initiatives serves as a great driver to continue our efforts with the same enthusiasm and dedication,” Theocharides concluded.