FWD Group has extended its collaboration with global nonprofit JA Worldwide to continue its financial education initiative across Asia, targeting youth development through structured programs over the next three years.
Under the extended partnership, FWD aims to reach an additional 40,000 students across eight Asian markets by the end of 2027.
The initiative, known as JA SparktheDream, delivers financial education integrated with social development and decision-making skills for students starting from age nine. Delivery formats include classroom sessions, digital activities, and volunteer-led engagements involving FWD staff.
The program was launched in 2022 and has since been implemented in Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. According to FWD, the first three years reached over 37,000 students – surpassing initial projections – and involved close to 900 classroom sessions supported by over 800 employee volunteers.
Cathy Knezevic, group chief corporate affairs officer at FWD, said the company’s continued work with JA reinforces the importance of equipping young people with practical knowledge early in life.
“Children are the most important asset any community has – they’re our inspiration, future leaders, and innovators. We know that financial literacy helps people to make better decisions for their future, empowering them to celebrate living. It’s also an important enabler for long-term economic and social development in the community,” she said.
The next phase will broaden the program’s impact by engaging more parents and teachers and introducing new content focused on building mental resilience.
Participating students will also have opportunities to apply their learning to real-world challenges, with over 1,600 students already involved in community-based problem-solving projects through the programme’s Social Challenge component.
JA Worldwide CEO Asheesh Advani described the partnership as a continued investment in youth development.
“Our partnership with FWD has provided tens of thousands of students with access to practical and impactful financial education. As we embark on this next phase, we look forward to deepening our impact and enabling even more young people to become financially capable and socially conscious individuals,” he said.
In parallel with FWD’s education initiative, Prudential Hong Kong released data from its 2025 Financial Wellbeing Tracker, reflecting rising financial confidence among residents but ongoing challenges in long-term savings and intergenerational wealth planning.
The survey reported a financial wellbeing index of 58.0 out of 100, up from 53.1 in the previous edition. Young adults between 18 and 35 scored the highest at 62.7, while those aged 50 to 60 scored lower at 53.5. While younger respondents cited greater short-term financial freedom, longer-term strategies appeared underdeveloped.
Among parents of Generation Alpha children – those born from 2010 onward – 58% expect to provide financial support at least until their children reach age 25. However, only 37% have established savings plans specifically for their children’s future. Although many parents expressed intentions to support their children’s personal growth, only a third had implemented any concrete steps.
The research also indicated limited awareness and use of wealth transfer mechanisms. While most respondents plan to pass on family assets, 63% believe the inheritance will only last two generations. Furthermore, only 13% reported a strong understanding of trust structures as tools for long-term wealth management.
