The Bulgarian Stock Exchange (BSE) has announced the launch of the first National Competition in Finance and Investments, which will take place on February 20, 2026. The event aims to promote financial literacy among young people in Bulgaria.
The competition is organized by the BSE with support from the Financial Supervision Commission (FSC), the Bulgarian Association of Licensed Investment Intermediaries (BALII), and the Bulgarian Association of Asset Management Companies (BAAMC). It is open to bachelor’s and master’s students majoring in finance, investments, or capital markets at higher economic educational institutions.
Participants must submit a registration form by January 15, 2026. Winners will receive prizes: 1,000 euros for first place, 300 euros for second place, and 200 euros for third place.
“The national competition in finance and investment is part of the non-banking financial sector efforts to increase the financial literacy of Bulgarian citizens, especially focusing on young people. The initiative also complements European efforts for a better investment culture among EU citizens.
Part of which is the creation of a Savings and Investment Union – a strategic initiative aimed at developing capital markets in the EU by promoting citizen participation in investment activities, improving financial literacy and creating wider saving and investing opportunities.”
According to studies cited by organizers, retail investor participation remains low across Europe. The World Bank’s Global Findex 2025 study found that retail investor activity in Central and Eastern Europe is two to three times lower than in Western Europe. A separate study by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) indicated that over 60% of respondents in Bulgaria and Romania do not invest because they feel they lack sufficient understanding.
The BSE was founded in 1914 and began trading operations in 1918. After merging several regional exchanges in 1995, it became Bulgaria’s only stock exchange. The BSE manages markets for equities, bonds, and other financial instruments while working to ensure fair access to trading information. More details about its history can be found on its official website.
In addition to providing a platform for trading various financial instruments [source], the BSE supports sustainable development through corporate social responsibility initiatives [source]. Its leadership includes Chief Executive Officer Manyu Moravenov and Chairman Asen Yagodin [source].
Registration details for interested students are available at https://subscribepage.io/FinanceCompetition.
