Build Financial Awareness, GS Community Indonesia Prints 1,000 Educators From Grass Roots

JAKARTA - In the midst of the high penetration of digital financial services in Indonesia, public awareness of the importance of financial literacy is still relatively low. Data from the Financial Services Authority (OJK) in 2022 shows that the national financial literacy index has only reached 49.68 percent, far behind the financial inclusion index which is at 85.10 percent. This gap shows that many people use financial services without really understanding the risks.

This phenomenon is exacerbated by the growing promise of instant profits that are widely circulated through digital platforms. Starting from fraudulent investment schemes to educational wrapped games, the public often has difficulty distinguishing which ones are truly informative and which are misleading. As a result, not a few end up being victims, both financially and psychologically.

Most of this problem stems from the lack of public access to financial information that is correct and can be accounted for. In various regions, education like this tends to only be enjoyed by educated people or living in big cities. In fact, the risk of misinformation and hoaxes often targets grassroots groups who do not have adequate information protection.

One of the movements that implements this approach is GS Community Indonesia. This community focuses on empowering the community through financial education developed from digital application users. They are targeting the creation of 1,000 financial educators from grassroots to expand literacy reach to various regions.

"We want all users to have critical power, not just follow or believe because it's busy being discussed," said Sharly, one of the community drivers.

GS Community Indonesia is active in conducting various field programs such as educational workshops, donation of stationery, sponsors of social activities, as well as online classes discussing topics such as digital risk management, distinguishing between education and money games, to recognizing legal platforms. This community also regularly organizes open forums to answer accusations or public issues with an educational approach.

In various educational activities, he emphasized the importance of critical thinking and not being trapped in the narration of instants that are widely circulated.

Many people are confused because they don't know who to ask. In this community, we study together and help each other to understand the risks," said Sharly.

With a mission to produce 1,000 educators, GS Community Indonesia encourages the creation of literacy agents in the most basic environment. The hope is that people can begin to recognize digital risks more healthy and are no longer easily swayed by unverified information. The only way to answer accusations and doubt is through data, common sense, and sustainable education. Not by promotion, not by counterattack either," added Sharly.