'Bankee' among top 40 global projects at Seoul Design Award 2026

After competing with 1,200 participating projects from 91 countries, a global achievement reflecting the National Bank of Kuwait’s success in investing in education and financial literacy.

The “Bankee” program achieved a notable international milestone by being selected among the top 40 global projects at the Seoul Design Award 2026 in South Korea, out of more than 1,200 participating projects from 91 countries worldwide.

This prestigious international recognition crowns four years of continuous work and development, underscoring the success of the “Bankee” program in delivering an innovative educational model that has gained international acclaim after demonstrating its tangible impact within the Kuwaiti educational environment. It has managed to stand out among a select group of developmental and educational initiatives and projects around the world.

The Seoul Design Award is one of the most prominent global awards celebrating implemented projects that offer innovative solutions to everyday challenges, contributing to improved quality of life and enhanced sustainability. This year’s edition was held under the theme “Design for a Sustainable Life: Designs Aimed at Achieving Harmony Between Humans, Society, and the Environment.”

Selection Among 40 Global Projects

The program’s selection among the top 40 global projects followed a rigorous evaluation process conducted by an international jury panel comprising leading design and innovation experts worldwide. Participating projects were assessed based on key criteria, including their ability to address everyday challenges, the innovation of sustainable solutions, the scale of social impact, and the potential for scalability and global application.

Creative Confidence is responsible for designing, developing, implementing, and deploying the “Bankee” program. Sumaya Al-Jassim, the company’s CEO, accepted the award on behalf of the program during the awards ceremony held in the South Korean capital, Seoul, in recognition of its success in delivering an innovative educational experience that enhanced financial literacy and life skills among learners.

“Bankee” is the first program of its kind in Kuwait, offered by the National Bank of Kuwait to the community in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the Public Authority for Combating Corruption (“Nazaha”), and Creative Confidence. Its objective is to enhance financial culture and inclusion among learners by introducing them to fundamental economic concepts and practices, such as earning, spending, saving, and financial obligations.

A Model Mimicking the Economy

The program operates under a “classroom economy” system, a model that simulates the real-world economic system by transforming the school into a miniature educational environment that enables students to practically apply financial and economic concepts. Additionally, “Bankee” launched its platform and website in both Arabic and English, adopting an innovative digital approach that allows students and teachers to conduct various financial transactions using the virtual currency “Bankoz,” thereby enhancing their understanding of the value of work and money, as well as the importance of making informed financial decisions.

The program also focuses on instilling core values among students, including honesty, integrity, personal development, accountability, cooperation, and teamwork. This contributes to preparing a generation of Kuwaiti youth equipped with the necessary financial skills and knowledge to achieve financial stability and independence, while supporting sustainable development and the economic well-being of individuals and society.

Sustainable Impact on Education

This international recognition is based on the tangible impact the program has achieved on the ground. During the 2025–2026 academic year, it successfully reached more than 50,000 students across 104 schools in various regions of Kuwait, with active participation from over 12,000 teachers, and an investment exceeding one million Kuwaiti dinars. These figures reflect the program’s broad reach and its ability to create a sustainable impact within the educational environment by empowering educational staff and equipping students with essential financial knowledge and skills through modern, interactive methods that enhance financial literacy and instill sound financial practices from an early age. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the journey of the “Bankee” program, strengthening its presence on the international stage as an innovative educational model that combines interactive learning, financial awareness, and the cultivation of positive values among youth. It also highlights the success of the partnership between the private sector and government entities in delivering high-quality initiatives that generate sustainable community impact and earn global recognition.