On the occasion of the World Savings Day - 31 October, the National Bank has organized an event to celebrate the savings day and to mark the beginning of the long-term Financial Education project.

For this event, the National Bank announced an invitation for pupils from first to fifth degree of elementary schools to submit their work in two categories: best poem and best painting on the topic "I know how to save money, too". Total of 828 works have arrived from all over the country, of which 295 poems and 533 paintings. Today, the National Bank has bestowed 6 awards to the participants - 3 equal cash awards for each of the two categories, 10 special acknowledgements and 20 acknowledgements by the jury members who evaluated the works. The poems and paintings will be exhibited at the National Bank by November 9, 2012. The mascots: the boy, the girl and Denarko were also presented at the event, which, from now on, will be the leading actors in the educational materials of the National Bank, such as the educational cartoon titled "The Little Saver" which was promoted on this occasion, and the brochure titled "What does savings mean?“.

With the outbreak of financial crisis, some countries, international organizations and supranational institutions all over the world set up initiatives for raising the general financial literacy level as one of the protection measures against future adverse economic developments and crisis. The National Bank of the Republic of Macedonia has undertaken an initiative and has launched own project titled "Financial Education" intended to inform the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia about the finances and the economy. Brochures, manuals, cartoons and other educational materials will be developed, printed and distributed to the public, which is expected to have positive influence and to contribute to the general wellbeing and economy in the country. The main topic of educational materials will elaborate several aspects of economy. To heighten the effect of this project on public and to increase the transparency of the National Bank, these activities will also provide a clear understanding to the public about the central bank and its primary objectives and tasks as an institution. The project includes happenings, exhibitions, organized visits, lecturing, educational programs, creative workshops and other events. Some of them will relate with international days dedicated to children and their education at international level, such as the International Child Finance Day - 16 March, which will be held the next year in cooperation with the Children and Youth Finance International.

The educational material will be available to the public via the National Bank website, in order to highlight the importance of financial education of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia.

 
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