The aim of the recently completed Work Package 4 of the AMIF project “PLOUTOS”, which is dedicated to overcoming barriers and focusing on achieving financial inclusion for Third Country Nationals (TCNs), was to develop innovative tools that provide practical training in financial services, break down language, administrative and cultural barriers, support entrepreneurship and enhance the adaptability of TCNs to the demands of the labour market or to own a business.
Innovative Tools for Financial Empowerment
Within this WP, we are developing three pioneering technical tools: the PLOUTOS Practice Business Virtual Environment (PBVE), the PLOUTOS Microfinance Platform (MP) and one digital library.
1. PLOUTOS Practice Business Virtual Environment (PBVE)
The PBVE aims to simulate the structure, functions and operations of a real business in a virtual learning environment. Participants will carry out activities such as applying for loans, managing tax procedures, managing employee insurance, carrying out postal transactions, promoting products, managing virtual imports and exports and carrying out banking transactions. This immersive environment enables learners to acquire professional knowledge and practical skills, fostering entrepreneurial behaviour and teamwork through competitive real-life scenarios.
2. PLOUTOS Microfinance Platform (MP)
The MP will be a powerful tool for TCNs, providing a comprehensive environment for submitting microcredit applications. It will serve as a training tool as well as a practical resource for financial institutions such as banks and microfinance providers.
3. Library
A comprehensive library containing all the necessary information on the specific national contexts of Greece, Sweden, Italy, Croatia, Bulgaria and Belgium. This library includes detailed guidance on procedures and requirements for obtaining key government documents, steps and necessary documentation for applying for loans, information on applying for financial products such as credit cards, and the processes involved in opening a business, including legal and administrative requirements. This library is designed to help TCNs navigate the complexities of each national context and ensure that they have access to the information they need to effectively engage with financial services and entrepreneurial activities in these countries.
The development of the PLOUTOS technical tools required a deep understanding of social inclusion and employment, the behaviour of TCNs and refugees, and the necessary technology requirements. Therefore, our approach included PACT analysis, human-computer interaction (HCI) and gender considerations
Manual for Easy Use of the tools
A “how to use” manual was translated into several languages (English, Swedish, Greek, Bulgarian, Croatian, Italian and French) to facilitate the sustainability and wider adoption of the PLOUTOS tools beyond the end of the project. The manual will soon be available on the project website: https://ploutosproject.org/
σελίδα του έργου: https://ploutosproject.org/
