This project builds on the established Distance Learning Program and expands it to develop localized course materials. Local instructors at partner institutions contextualize the course content by providing local examples or case studies. They collaborate with the main instructors and CERGE-EI senior faculty mentors to contextualize the course materials and lead the weekly local sessions, featuring tailored course content. The localized content makes the course material more relevant, attractive, and understandable for students, fostering their understanding of the course topics, its relevance and its applicability. We work primarily with regional universities serving students outside of the main cities and centers.
Prague workshop (August 29 – September 4, 2025) will provide local instructors with networking opportunities. The workshop combines project related discussions of teaching experiences with further pedagogical training for local instructors. Participants will also reflect on feedback and finalize localized course materials for future use. The developed materials will be published on this website and made available for faculty and students interested in these topics.
The project is co-financed by the governments of Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia through Visegrad+ Grants from the International Visegrad Fund. The mission of the fund is to advance ideas for sustainable regional cooperation in Central Europe.
Broadening access to quality economics education by offering real-time specialized economics courses virtually to underserved HEIs in the region.
By offering the courses in English, it offers applied English language practice in an international learning environment.
Builds the capacity of the partner universities by training local instructors (LIs) to co-lead the courses and develop localized course materials.
CERGE-EI-based main instructors led the courses from the CERGE-EI's Digital Media Center twice per week, and local instructors from partner universities led the weekly local sessions. All Local Instructors received training at the start of their engagement, which prepared them to conduct courses online, navigate online systems, engage students virtually, facilitate discussions in English, and develop country-specific course materials for their local sessions.
Before and during the course, main instructors held regular meetings with local instructors to support them in the development of the localized materials and delivery of the local sessions.
At the end of the program, all instructors will participate in a workshop at CERGE-EI, where local instructors will discuss their experiences, review feedback and finalize the localized course content for future use. Local instructors will also participate in further pedagogical training and are invited to network with the peers to encourage future collaboration.
