Money Meetup: Women and money – How to achieve greater financial security?

Experts and entrepreneurs discuss economic challenges and women’s empowerment

The eighth Money Meetup, organized by Erste Bank in collaboration with the Center for Financial Education and Empowerment (CEFIN), was held as part of Global Money Week, a worldwide initiative dedicated to improving financial literacy and developing entrepreneurial skills. This year’s Money Meetup, themed “Women and Money”, gathered experts, entrepreneurs, and leaders from various fields at ICT Hub to discuss the economic challenges women face today.

The event featured two-panel discussions, each focusing on different aspects of women’s financial empowerment.

The first panel, titled “How Can Money Be Feminine Too?”, addressed issues such as unpaid labour, inheritance, and economic challenges women encounter in daily life. The panel was moderated by Marija Mutić, Director of Communications at Erste Bank, who discussed these topics with Milana Rikanović, Head of the UN Women Office in Serbia, and Jelena Ružić, President of the Women’s Association of the Kolubara District. The panellists also explored gender differences in financial literacy and habits, analyzing the reasons behind these disparities and ways to overcome them.

“Financial literacy is not just about managing a household budget—it also involves planning for long-term security through investments, retirement planning, and responsible borrowing. Understanding money means understanding one’s opportunities and building a stable future, and it is crucial to empower women in making financial decisions,” emphasized Marija Mutić.

The second panel, titled “Women: Financially Independent and Self-Sufficient!”, focused on the importance of early career guidance for girls, challenges in entrepreneurship, and the underrepresentation of women in high-paying professions. Sonja Konakov Svirčev, Manager for Corporate Social Responsibility, Diversity, and Inclusion at Erste Bank, led the discussion with Sonja Dakić, entrepreneur and mentor of the “Live, Work, Love” program, Zoja Kukić, entrepreneur, and Karolina Herbut, financial educator.

“Financial independence begins with knowledge and confidence. That’s why it’s essential to encourage girls from a young age to pursue careers that provide independence, stability, and growth. Additionally, we need to foster an entrepreneurial mindset among women and support them in facing the challenges of the business world,” stressed Sonja Konakov Svirčev.

The eighth Money Meetup reaffirmed that discussions on financial equality and women’s economic empowerment are crucial steps toward creating a better and more inclusive society. Erste Bank remains committed to supporting initiatives that enhance financial education and literacy in Serbia. Back in 2018, the bank launched the #ErsteZnali Financial Education Program, aimed at helping people of all ages make healthier financial decisions.

Global Money Week—a global initiative led by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the International Movement for Financial Education of Children and Youth (CYFI)—raises awareness every year about financial literacy as a key factor in economic security. Through its education and empowerment programs, Erste Bank has been actively working on improving financial literacy in Serbia for years, focusing on women, who still face challenges such as lower incomes, unpaid labour, and insufficient participation in investment and entrepreneurship. This year’s Money Meetup served as an opportunity to engage in an open dialogue with experts and entrepreneurs on overcoming these obstacles and creating more equitable economic conditions for women.