Financial literacy

The Office of the Financial System Ombudsman organizes courses for both school students and college and university students.

The course provides an opportunity for the participants to familiarize themselves with the activities of the Conciliator's Office, the RA financial system, receive information about the services provided by financial organizations, in particular, bank account, deposit, loan, and insurance, as well as receive answers to the following questions: "How to plan expenses and save money", "How to make investments", "How to avoid forgeries and not become a victim of fraud?"

The event has been held since 2011. During 2011-2022, more than 52,000 schoolchildren and students participated in the event.

Every year, on the initiative of the Office of the Financial System Mediator, schoolchildren from a number of schools in RA regions visit the Office, where a course is organized on the Office of the Financial System Mediator, bank account, deposit, loan, insurance, savings and investments. At the end of the course, the participants of the event play a competitive game, and the team members with the most points receive a prize from the Office. A reception is organized as part of the event, as well as a visit to the "Visitor's Center" of the Central Bank of Armenia and Matenadaran or the History Museum of Armenia.

During the summer vacations, with the help of games, competitions and interactive seminars, in order to transfer knowledge about financial services to children and to arouse interest in the financial system among them, the specialists of the Office conduct seminar-games in summer camps, in particular, in Khankavan "Khotor Yur", "Lusabats", "Fairy Tale Canyon", "Aragats", "Hasmik" and Tsaghkadzor "LAVA Aghbyur" camps. The program is implemented together with partner structures, which, both with direct participation and financial support, contribute to making the program more interesting and memorable for children.

The Office of the Financial System Mediator implements a specially designed program of educational practice for students. Within the framework of the event, students have the opportunity to get acquainted with the structure, operation and legal regulations of the financial system, to get practical and theoretical knowledge about the activities of the Office of the Financial System Mediator, to learn about alternative methods of dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration.

At the end of the event, the participants receive certificates and incentive gifts from the Office, and the best are accepted to work in the Office of the Conciliator on a contractual basis.

The event has been held since 2018. During 2018-2022, 68 students from different RA universities participated in the event.

The Office of Financial System Mediator organizes a three-day "Financial Camp" in the regions of the Republic of Armenia. During the camp, a course is held on the Office of Financial System Mediator, the RA financial system, services provided by financial organizations, savings, investments, time management skills, and emotional intelligence. After the training, the participants play various logical and financial games, and watch informative videos, reinforcing the knowledge they have gained in the camp. At the end of the camp, participants receive certificates and incentive gifts from the Office of Financial System Mediator.

In order to increase students' interest in banking and insurance law and in-depth study of this field, the Office of Financial System Mediator organizes a moot court. The students of law faculties of RA universities participate in the competition in groups formed by them. The competition consists of two stages: written and oral. The written works presented by the groups and the positions expressed during the oral hearings are evaluated by mediators and qualified lawyers. Based on the scores, the winning team is determined, as well as the teams that presented "Best Claim" and "Best Answer" in the written stage, and the winner in the "Best Speaker" nomination as a result of oral hearings are selected.

The event has been held since 2017. During 2017-2022 more than 100 students participated in the event.

The Office of Financial System Mediator organizes courses for women.

The course provides an opportunity for the participants to familiarize themselves with the activities of the Mediator's Office, the RA financial system, receive information about the services provided by financial organizations, in particular, bank account, deposit, loan and insurance, as well as receive answers to the following questions: "How to plan expenses and save money", "How to make investments", "How to avoid to become a victim of fraud?"

The event has been held since 2021. During 2021-2022, more than 400 participants attended the event.

The Office of the Financial System Mediator encourages the organization of events for the purpose of educating the population and protecting their own interests, and actively participates in various events conducted by partner institutions.