Economic Literacy

What are the objectives of the project

In 2004 KARAT has started its Economic Literacy initiative aimed at providing NGOs, as well as individual women and other relevant stakeholder from the Central & Eastern European and Central Asian countries with knowledge on basic economic concepts/processes relevant to the Region. This knowledge was to help them in lobbing and advocacy for gender and economic justice.

How are we working

Economic Literacy is an initiative of an ongoing nature (i.e whenever we have the resources to organise events/trainings on economic literacy and/or produce economic literacy materials we do it). Often economic literacy activities have been components of other projects and initiatives in which KARAT has participated. Till now the main activities associated with the project were:

  • The Regional Economic Literacy Training (2004)
  • Five national level trainings in Bulgaria, Serbia, Poland, Georgia and Romania (2005 – 2007)
  • Production of Economic Literacy Kit “Economic Literacy Resource Kit for CEE/CIS. Gender and Economy” in English, Russian and Romanian (2005 – 2007)

Majority of the activities associated with Economic Literacy have been implemented in close cooperation and thanks to the support of WIDE (Women in Development Europe).

KARAT hopes to conduct Economic Literacy activities in the future. In particularly KARAT would like to look at the gender impact of the recent turmoil in the world economy and its impact of the women from Central and Eastern European and Central Asian countries.

Read more about why the Economic Literacy Program is so important for women nowadays.

Main publication

“Economic Literacy Resource Kit for CEE/CIS. Gender and Economy” focuses on a basic economic concepts developed specifically for NGOs (and particularly gender focused NGOs) from CEE/CIS Region. The Kit consists of 9 chapters which explain economic concepts and processes relevant to women living in the Region (for example mechanisms related to the labour market; globalization; privatization). The Kit also includes training hints and exercises for a basic economic literacy training, which can be provide on national, organizational and community levels. The content of the Kit is based on relevant literature as well as the practical experience gained during the economic literacy trainings conducted in the past by KARAT.