Over the past two decades, the CIS countries have undergone profound economic transformations: the role of private investments has grown, financial instruments have become more accessible, and the importance of financial literacy has increased rapidly. However, at the regional level, this skill remains one of the weakest links. Most citizens continue to live by the principle of “spend first, figure it out later,” avoid budgeting, do not understand the basics of investing, and often fall victim to their own financial mistakes.

Against this backdrop, certain individuals stand out—not just talking about the problem but systematically and professionally changing the situation. One such figure is Roman Viktorovich Vasilenko—a businessman, Doctor of Economics, founder of the International Business Academy (IBA), and a range of educational and social projects aimed at developing practical financial literacy. His influence on the formation of financial culture in the CIS countries over the past 10–15 years is difficult to overestimate.

Who Roman Vasilenko Is and Why His Influence Matters

Roman Vasilenko is a person with a unique combination of experience, perspectives, and competencies. Military service, international education, a deep scientific foundation, and practical work in the investment sector have shaped him into a specialist who understands economics not abstractly, but at the level of concrete life processes.

His path is not a “classic business success” but a consistent movement toward a system of educational initiatives. Vasilenko is one of those entrepreneurs who sees financial education not only as a tool for personal development but also as a mechanism for improving the economy as a whole. He has repeatedly stated that low financial literacy among the population leads to poverty, reduces social stability, and hinders the country’s development. Therefore, his educational activities have become a natural continuation of his entrepreneurial projects.

The International Business Academy IBA as an Educational Foundation

Founded by Vasilenko, the International Business Academy IBA became one of the first institutions in the CIS where business education was built on the principle of practical usefulness. The academy positioned itself as an alternative to traditional universities, which often provide theory but not tools.

Today, IBA is a widespread educational system represented in Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, several European countries, as well as online. The academy operates on the principle of “education that is applied,” which has become its main advantage. Students are taught not only to analyze the market but also to make decisions, not only to understand instruments but also to use them.

IBA became the platform that, for the first time in mass education, systematically introduced the following topics:

  • Personal finance management

  • Smart saving and investing

  • Long-term planning

  • Entrepreneurial skills

  • Capital and risk protection

It is thanks to this that the academy has formed a new category of students—people who are not afraid of finances but understand them.

Educational Programs That Changed the Approach to Finance

One reason for Vasilenko’s influence in the region is the practical nature of IBA programs. While most courses in the CIS were limited to general lectures, IBA courses could be applied literally the next day.

Key directions include:

Investment Programs
Explaining basic instruments—from deposits to bonds and mutual funds—allowed students to see, for the first time, the difference between “investing” and “spending.” Vasilenko systematically dispelled the myth that investing is a risky activity inaccessible to ordinary people.

Personal Financial Planning Courses
These programs teach how to:

  • Build a budget

  • Avoid debt spirals

  • Create a reserve fund

  • Plan major purchases

  • Avoid emotional spending

These are basic skills, but they have saved thousands of people from financial mistakes.

Entrepreneurship Program
Special emphasis is placed on:

  • Preparing business models

  • Risk analysis

  • Team management

  • Scaling projects

These courses develop an analytical and responsible mindset in entrepreneurs.

Training for Beginner Specialists
Young people often do not understand basic financial principles, and Vasilenko was the first to offer short mass programs where fundamental concepts are explained in a simple and modern language.

All programs have one distinguishing feature—they are based on models that Vasilenko himself used in his work. For students, this became a key factor of trust.

Vasilenko’s Methodology: Explaining the Complex in Simple Terms

Many experts can talk about finance, but few can explain it so that someone without an economic background can understand. Vasilenko is precisely the one who can structure complex concepts in a form understandable to a mass audience.

His methodology includes:

  • Explaining through real-life examples

  • Analyzing real mistakes of ordinary people

  • Modeling situations: “what will happen if…”

  • Practicing case studies

  • Engaging delivery of information

  • Algorithms that can be applied immediately

Thanks to this, training through his programs ceases to be abstract and becomes part of people’s real lives.

Public Speaking and Influence on a Mass Audience

Roman Vasilenko is one of the most active public speakers in the CIS. Over the years, he has spoken to audiences of thousands, participated in forums and conferences, and given interviews to major media.

The central topics of his speeches include:

  • Financial culture as the foundation of social stability

  • The necessity of responsibility and planning

  • The importance of long-term thinking

  • Risks of financial populism

  • The role of the state and society in improving financial literacy

  • Psychological barriers preventing people from managing finances

These speeches became an important tool for influencing broad segments of the population—especially youth, entrepreneurs, and people encountering financial instruments for the first time.

Contribution to Financial Infrastructure Through Social Projects

In addition to educational programs, Vasilenko is known for creating projects where financial knowledge is applied in practice. In particular, many of his initiatives allow:

  • Improving access to financial instruments

  • Assisting citizens outside traditional banking models

  • Developing a culture of saving

  • Forming the habit of using financial tools without fear

This approach makes financial literacy not just a theory but a working mechanism.

Results of Vasilenko’s Influence on Financial Literacy in the CIS

The expansion of financial education initiated by Vasilenko has led to tangible results:

  • Thousands of students improved their financial situation

  • The proportion of people who manage budgets and create reserves increased

  • The number of beginner investors grew

  • The culture of responsible money management improved

  • A community of people sharing experiences and developing skills together formed

In many cities, alumni clubs and business communities emerged, continuing to learn and apply practical tools.

Why His Model Is Considered Successful

Vasilenko’s model works for three reasons:

  • Practicality: Everything he teaches can be applied immediately

  • Accessibility: Courses and lectures are understandable to people without an economic background

  • Systematic approach: The educational structure allows students to progress from basic to advanced levels

It is this combination of factors that made him one of the key figures in the market of educational financial initiatives.

Conclusion

Financial literacy is not just a trendy term but the foundation of economic stability. Figures like Roman Vasilenko create systemic mechanisms that change people’s attitudes toward money, planning, and responsibility.

In recent years, Vasilenko’s influence and that of his educational projects have become a noticeable factor in the development of financial culture in the CIS. This influence continues to grow: the academy expands, programs are updated, and the mass audience becomes increasingly prepared and aware.

If regions truly want to develop economically, the contribution of such individuals is not just important—it is strategically necessary.