Using Euros

Summary

“Using Euros" is an innovative Erasmus+ project delivering a comprehensive toolkit of 19 interactive apps and 92 printable exercises to teach children (ages 3-10) how to use the Euro. Fully accessible, it features customisable parameters and scanning functions for users with motor disabilities. Validated by research with high rates of satisfaction, it develops vital life skills and fosters inclusive, student-paced learning across Europe in four languages.  

"This application helped me immensely in teaching children how to shop. It was an absolute lifesaver! It also made teaching much more enjoyable, and the students loved it." 

Topic(s) addressed

Aligned with the 2026 'Skills for life' theme, the project develops mathematics, digital competence, and active citizenship. It equips early learners with practical financial literacy, ensuring essential life skills for social inclusion. 

Target group(s)

• Children aged 3-10, including students with special educational needs and mobility disabilities. 

Methodologies used

The project utilises a gamified, interactive approach to mathematics and financial literacy, bridging formal and non-formal learning. By pairing cross-platform digital apps with 92 printable exercises, it translates abstract concepts into physical practice. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) guides the methodology, embedding scanning functions for motor disabilities and customisable parameters. This student-centred approach promotes independent pacing and active learner participation, fostering essential life skills and preparing diverse learners for active citizenship through practical, real-world economic inclusion. 

Innovation environment

The project establishes a highly adaptable learning ecosystem across HTML5, Windows, Android, and iOS. A major technical innovation is its "Privacy by Design" architecture: the applications collect zero personal data. Instead, custom pedagogical parameters are encoded directly into the URL hash, guaranteeing 100% GDPR compliance and a secure digital climate. Sustainability is ensured by releasing all materials for free under the EU Public License 1.2. This environment fosters cross-sectoral cooperation between mainstream and special education institutions across four nations, safely transforming classrooms into inclusive micro-societies. 

Teachers’ role

Teachers act as facilitators of inclusive learning, using advanced parametric customisation to tailor the 19 applications to individual learning profiles. By adjusting variables like prices, operations, and currency denominations, educators scaffold lessons to match student readiness. Comprehensive lesson plans empower teachers to seamlessly integrate financial literacy into the curriculum. Providing immediate feedback, the tools allow educators to accurately assess progress, build student confidence through personalised difficulty tiers, and guide peer learning that develops essential collaborative skills. 

Impact and output

The project delivered 19 applications (14 games, 4 teaching tools, 1 adventure game) and 92 printable exercises in 4 languages. Rigorous research (N=79) validated an overwhelming positive impact (mean >4.6/5), with the highest consensus achieved in essential life skills development (4.89/5). Integrated scanning accessibility (available in 11 apps) ensures the seamless inclusion of students with motor disabilities. By developing foundational skills for autonomous money usage, the project directly promotes long-term active citizenship. Broad dissemination via public app stores and national repositories guarantees an extensive, sustainable spill-over effect across European communities. 

Learn more about the project