PALADIN Kick-off Meeting: Seven Partners Unite for Digital Financial Literacy

On December 17, 2025, the PALADIN consortium held its virtual Kick-off Meeting, bringing together seven partner organizations from five European countries to officially launch this Erasmus+ project.

Seven organizations from across Europe have joined forces to tackle one of the digital age’s most pressing challenges: protecting older adults from online financial fraud. On December 17, 2025, the PALADIN consortium gathered virtually to launch a three-year mission that could transform how Baby Boomers and Generation X navigate the increasingly treacherous waters of digital finance.

Project at a Glance

  • Budget: EUR 250,000
  • Duration: 36 months (December 2025 - November 2028)
  • Partners: 7 organizations from 5 countries
  • Funding: Erasmus+ KA220-ADU

The Challenge: A Generation at Risk

As banks close branches and financial services migrate online, millions of European adults find themselves forced into unfamiliar digital territory. The consequences can be devastating: phishing scams, fraudulent investment schemes, and identity theft disproportionately target those less familiar with digital platforms.

PALADIN - “Protecting Adults through Literacy and Awareness in Digital finance Including Non-digital natives” - aims to change that narrative. The project will equip these generations with the knowledge and confidence to protect themselves in an increasingly cashless society.

A Pan-European Coalition Takes Shape

The consortium brings together an unusual mix of academic expertise and hands-on implementation experience spanning five nations.

Leading the charge: The Otto-Friedrich-Universitat Bamberg (Germany) coordinates the initiative, drawing on its extensive track record in European research projects.

The research backbone:

  • Andrassy University Budapest (Hungary) - expertise in research methodologies and pedagogical approaches
  • Reykjavik University (Iceland) - leading the project’s comprehensive evaluation framework

Where theory meets practice:

  • Caritas Bamberg (Germany) - decades of experience with adult learners and vulnerable populations
  • Simbioza Genesis (Slovenia) - proven expertise in digital literacy and intergenerational learning
  • Ayuntamiento de Benetusser (Spain) - ensuring community reach through local government engagement
  • Open University Reykjavik (Iceland) - specialists in flexible adult education and blended learning

This geographic diversity - spanning Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Slovenia, and Spain - ensures that solutions developed will work across different European contexts and cultures.

The Roadmap Ahead

The project unfolds across four interconnected work packages:

  1. Project Management (ongoing) - Coordination, quality assurance, and partner communication
  2. Course Development (February - August 2026) - Creating a comprehensive blended-learning curriculum
  3. Implementation (September 2026 - December 2027) - Piloting the course across partner countries
  4. Evaluation (May 2026 - October 2028) - Continuous assessment to maximize impact

What Happened at the Kick-off

The virtual meeting on December 17 accomplished several critical objectives:

  • Partners introduced themselves and established the personal connections essential for cross-border collaboration
  • The team aligned on project goals, timelines, and methodologies
  • Roles and responsibilities within each work package were clarified
  • Immediate next steps were agreed upon to maintain momentum

Next Steps: Budapest Beckons

With the virtual launch complete, the consortium now turns to detailed planning. In the coming weeks, teams will finalize work package strategies and establish robust communication protocols.

The highlight on the horizon: The first in-person meeting is scheduled to take place in Budapest, where partners will deepen their collaboration and accelerate project development.

Get Involved

As PALADIN progresses, we will share regular updates on our journey toward a more inclusive digital financial landscape. Follow our progress and join the conversation about protecting adults in the digital age.

Together, we are building a safer digital future for all generations.

The PALADIN project is co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ Programme (KA220-ADU). Views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.