The student-led project uses an educational board game to create an engaging offline experience that brings generations together through play, dialogue and shared learning
UniCredit Foundation has awarded the "Re-Power Your Future Award" to Moneta Works, a student-led project from Serbia that brings different generations together through an engaging educational board game. The award was presented at Gen-E 2026, Europe's largest festival of youth entrepreneurship organised by JA Europe.
The "Re-Power Your Future Award" recognises teams developing solutions that empower their generation through social innovation and strengthen their communities through meaningful engagement.
The award is part of "Re-Power Your Future", the programme developed through the partnership between UniCredit Foundation and JA Europe to support education and youth employability across Europe. Through real-world entrepreneurial experiences, the programme helps young people develop the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to pursue their aspirations, access new opportunities and play an active role in shaping the future of their communities.
Moneta Works developed "Budget Boss", an educational board game that brings children, teenagers, families and communities together around the same table. At a time increasingly shaped by screens and digital distractions, the game offers an engaging offline experience that creates opportunities for dialogue, shared learning and connection across generations.
Through interactive gameplay and real-life scenarios, conversations about money become a starting point for broader discussions around everyday choices, priorities and responsibilities. Children, parents, grandparents, teachers and friends are encouraged to exchange experiences and perspectives, reflect on the consequences of their decisions and learn from one another in a natural and enjoyable environment.
By turning learning into dialogue, Moneta Works strengthens connections across generations while helping young people develop greater awareness, confidence and valuable life skills. Simple, accessible and easy to replicate, the project has the potential to extend its impact beyond the classroom to families and local communities.
The Serbian team was selected for its ability to combine social impact, community engagement and a sustainable and scalable approach.
Gen-E 2026 also saw another outstanding achievement from a student team from one of UniCredit's core markets. Lipigo, a student-led company from Slovakia, won the Main Award of the European Gen-E competition with an innovative edible, water-soluble and eco-friendly glue designed specifically for children.
Developed in response to the risks associated with the accidental ingestion of traditional children's glues, Lipigo's solution is made from food-grade ingredients, is fully washable with water and comes in recyclable packaging. By combining child safety, environmental responsibility and strong business potential, the project demonstrates how a simple everyday challenge can be transformed into an innovative and scalable solution with the potential to reach families and educational communities across Europe.
"Moneta Works shows how education can become a powerful tool for connection and empowerment. What particularly impressed us was the project's ability to bring different generations around the same table and turn conversations about money, choices and responsibility into a natural and engaging shared experience. By helping young people develop greater awareness and confidence while encouraging dialogue within families and communities, the project reflects our belief in the power of education to create meaningful and lasting change," said Silvia Cappellini, General Manager of UniCredit Foundation.
Milan, 15 July 2026
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