EFI is excited to be supporting the Economics Olympiad in 8 post-communist countries this year, and will add more from 2024. It is truly inspiring to see the enthusiasm which these future leaders bring to learning economic principles and developing their analytical thinking skills. We are immensely grateful to the dedicated teachers and the generous support from businesses, universities and public institutions who have invested in the futures of these exceptional young men and women so that the societies in which they live may prosper.

The Economics Olympiad plays a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of economists. It provides a unique opportunity for students to showcase their knowledge, compete at a global level, and contribute to shaping the future of economic discourse.

Participating in the Economics Olympiad has been a transformative experience for students, fostering their passion for economics and shaping their future careers.

It might seem crazy that we would introduce the Economics Olympiad to Ukraine during a full-scale war. But it was the right move, to show schoolchildren and their teachers that education is still a priority and extra effort will get rewarded, despite missiles and drones flying around. If heavy bombings, blackouts, bomb shelters and air raid alerts did not prevent more than 4,300 schoolchildren from all over the country from participating in the School Round, we owe it to them to keep this project going. Especially after all of the participants of the National Round stating their level of economic thinking improved because of the Olympiad.

I personally consider the Economics Olympiad as one of the most successful projects in economic and financial education.