In November educators and stakeholders from across civil society, politics, academia, media, and culture from across Europe gathered in Tirana, Albania to exchange ideas, network and collaborate during the annual NECE Festival. This Financial and Economic NECE Lab, held as part of the NECE Festival and organized as a half-day side event by THE CIVICS Innovation Hub in partnership with Znanje na djelu and Erste Financial Life Park (FLIP) discussed the critical role of financial and economic education within the broader framework of civic education.
The day began with a warm welcome from the organizers that set the stage for a day of insight and engagement, emphasizing the growing importance of equipping young people with financial literacy skills as a foundation for civic participation. Following the welcome, participants engaged in a brief “Who is who” introductory session, sharing their areas of expertise, professional fields, and interests, creating an atmosphere of collaboration and setting the tone for meaningful dialogue throughout the day.
The second half of the event started with the presentation of fresh insights, findings, and developments on integration of financial and economic literacy into civic education, drawn from the previous Financial and Economic Literacy NECE Lab held in September in Belgrade, Serbia. The “World Café” session offered an engaging and dynamic exchange of ideas, bringing together diverse perspectives on financial literacy in the region. Participants discussed strategies to overcome unique challenges such as the absence of clear and accessible curricula, public skepticism, emotional connections to personal finances, and the need for more relatable content. They emphasized the importance of designing impactful, sustainable financial education programs tailored to diverse audiences. The conversation delved into critical topics, such as the role of financial and economic education within civic education, the evolving skills needed in a rapidly changing economic landscape, and the impact of digital finances and cybersecurity on financial and economic literacy. These discussions sparked valuable insights, ideas and new topics for future events and follow up actions.
This event underscored the importance of collaboration across sectors and generations to ensure that financial and economic education becomes a fundamental part of preparing individuals for active, informed participation in society.
