StartKapital

A BVH Education Programme

Financial literacy from the ground up

A non-profit foundational programme for sustainable financial literacy in Germany that promotes equal opportunity and reduces disadvantage. Independent and ready to use immediately.

Strong financial literacy is the best consumer protection.

Prevention instead of cure.

View the programme Request the handbook

Over-indebted people in Germany (SchuldnerAtlas 2025): 5.67 million
German states with mandatory financial education: 0 / 16
Ready-made 45-min modules incl. handbook: 8 units

The Programme

A curriculum, not just a slide deck

A fully developed foundational curriculum that prepares young people, in a hands-on way, for real financial decisions: from pocket money to retirement planning.

Each unit: 45 minutes, with a minute-by-minute schedule, presenter notes, glossary and three interactive games.

No recommendation of specific banks, ETFs or insurance products. Independence is at the core of the programme.

The eight modules

Introduction to financial literacy
Why financial literacy? Money, value, overview
Understanding money in everyday life
Means of payment, bank accounts, prices, inflation
Salary, taxes & social contributions
Gross/net, income tax, allowances
Budgeting & decisions
Household budget, saving, needs vs. consumption
Debt & obligations
Credit, interest, over-indebtedness, contracts
Risk & protection
Insurance, emergency fund, risk diversification
Saving & investing
Compound interest, stocks & funds, ETFs, time horizon
Retirement & pension system
3 pillars, statutory/private, generational capital

Why it works

Ready to use

A complete handbook instead of just a slide deck, ready to present immediately.

Engaging

Shock figures, dilemma games and self-tests instead of dry theory.

Equitable

Works regardless of family background – closes the knowledge gap.

Necessary

Financial literacy is not a mandatory subject in any German state.

StartKapital · Modules 1–8 lay the foundation – the BVH Stock Market Licence is the possible next step.

Try it yourself

What your savings could become

Compound interest is one of the most powerful effects of saving (Module 7). For retirement planning (Module 8) a state subsidy often comes on top. The calculator shows both together: just play with the sliders below.

From 2027, a state subsidy applies to the retirement savings account: a 50 cent bonus per euro contributed up to €360/year (€30/month), then 25 cents up to €1,800/year (€150/month), which is the maximum funding threshold. Beyond that, you can always invest more, just without the subsidy. Try it out: how much does your final balance change if you adjust the savings rate, return or duration?

Eligible for the subsidy are those with compulsory statutory pension insurance as well as salaried public officials (including civil servants, judges and career soldiers), and from 2027 also the self-employed, freelancers and business owners. Whether pupils and students without their own compulsory-insurance employment are also entitled to the subsidy has not yet been conclusively clarified. Under 25s additionally receive a one-off €200 career-starter bonus when the contract is signed. Under current plans, the proposed early-start pension can be transferred automatically into an individual retirement savings account.

Retirement calculator

Your starting capital (one-off deposit) 250 €

Monthly savings rate 100 €

Expected return 5,5 %

Duration until retirement 30 Jahre

The regular, subsidised payout starts at the earliest at age 65, with a minimum contract term of 12 years. Early withdrawal is possible in principle but is considered subsidy-damaging: subsidies and tax advantages already received must be repaid. Exception: the purchase, construction or energy-efficient renovation of owner-occupied residential property remains subsidy-safe.

Final balance after 30 years 0 €

Own contributions0 €
State subsidy0 €
Return / compound interest0 €

Ø 5,5 % p.a. +143 % gesamt

Now In 30 Jahren

Model calculation for educational purposes, not investment advice. Actual performance, costs and taxes may differ.

Where it fits in

Two programmes, one shared path

StartKapital lays the foundation. Anyone who wants to go deeper can later build on the BVH Stock Market Licence.

The foundation · Modules 1–8

Open to everyone: schools, vocational schools, universities, clubs
Free, no club membership required
No prior knowledge needed

BVH Stock Market Licence

The next step

Existing introductory seminar for BVH club members
Run locally by the regional clubs at universities
A deeper next step after StartKapital

View the BVH Stock Market Licence

Target groups

Who StartKapital is made for

Schools & vocational schools

Ready-made lesson units for project days, clubs and regular classes.

Universities

A foundational offering for locations without their own stock market club.

Clubs & multipliers

Ready-to-use material for anyone passing on financial knowledge.

Educational institutions

Flexible enough for youth work, adult education centres and transition programmes.

Funding partners: Foundations, funding programmes & institutions.

The organisation

About the BVH

The Bundesverband der Börsenvereine an deutschen Hochschulen (BVH) e.V. is the umbrella association of student stock market clubs in German-speaking countries. Founded in 1992, today with over 24,000 members in around 71 regional clubs. Non-profit, independent and united: reaching new heights together.

More about the BVH

Materials

Downloads

The programme materials will be published here once finalised. Until then, just get in touch via the contact form.

Presenter handbook

The complete guide for all eight modules.

Coming soon

Programme overview

All modules and content at a glance.

Coming soon

Contact

Questions, feedback or a partnership enquiry? Get in touch.

Directly by email: startkapital@bvh.org