The project had two directions: - to develop digital skills for teachers to integrate into their curricula modern teaching methods that use digital technologies. - to develop the competencies of bachelor economics students in innovative fields of finance (digital finance, behavioral finance, neurofinance, financial simulations) and to integrate current software that is used in practice in their activity, for a better future insertion on the labor market. The ReThink Finance project had 3 main objectives: • O1: Development of digital skills and modern teaching methods for economics teachers; • O2: Development of economics students' digital skills and integration of efficient digital practices into the finance field by making use of new technologies and specialized professional finance software through virtual and blended learning activities; • O3: Adapting economics students' knowledge to the latest and innovative finance paradigms involving digital finance, behavioral finance, and neurofinance to dynamically respond to the requirements of the working environment and to increase their level of integration into the workforce, while building on life-long learning skills and professional resilience.
We applied for the ReThink Finance project because it addresses urgent needs in financial education, particularly in adapting to digital transformation and integrating the new financial concepts. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 accelerated the shift to online learning, exposing gaps in digital competencies for both teachers and students. This project aligns with the EU Digital Education Action Plan 2021-2027, focusing on improving digital skills, integrating blended learning, and modernizing financial curricula. Key needs addressed include: -enhancing digital skills for educators: training teaching staff in digital tools and ICT integration to transition from traditional to innovative teaching practices. - improving student adaptability: equipping students with advanced digital finance knowledge, including fintech, behavioural finance, and neurofinance, to meet labour market demands. - strengthening institutional innovation: partner universities benefit from updated curricula, fostering cooperation and international partnerships for long-term educational progress. - by incorporating digital finance and specialized software into learning, the project enhances students’ employability and professional resilience.