New chapter for the Economics Olympiad in Greece
The Institute for Fiscal and Economic Studies takes over the organization of the world’s largest student economics competition
The Institute for Fiscal and Economic Studies (IFES), a newly established independent think tank dedicated to economic education, will now be responsible for continuing and expanding the Economics Olympiad in Greece. This will be done under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, as well as the Economic Chamber of Greece, a program that has already been embraced by educators, students, and parents across the country for the past four years.
The Economics Olympiad is the largest international economics competition for high school students, with over 350,000 students, 3,000 schools, and 22 countries participating worldwide. It is aimed at young people who want to better understand the world of economics, money, and decision-making, through an experience that boosts their confidence in making choices and navigating real-world transactions.
In Greece, IFES is taking the baton from the Center for Liberal Studies – Markos Dragoumis for the 2025-2026 academic year, not simply to continue a successful initiative, but to strengthen it, bring it to even more schools, support teachers, and most importantly, offer students an inspiring and empowering experience that expands access to economic thinking and financial literacy for even more young people.
“The Economics Olympiad is a unique opportunity for young people to engage with the basic principles of economic thought. Our goal is to build upon the work of previous years, to enhance participation, and to provide a high-level experience for the participants,” stated the President of IFES, Tasos Avrantinis.
The President of the Economic Chamber of Greece, Mr. Konstantinos Kollias, added: “As the institutional advisor to the State on economic matters, the Economic Chamber of Greece is particularly pleased to be joining forces with IFES in this initiative, aiming to promote economic literacy among all Greek citizens.”
Martina Bacikova, Founder and President of the Economics Olympiad, emphasized: “Greece’s participation in recent years has contributed to the growth of the Economics Olympiad and the further dissemination of economic education within the EU. We are excited about our new collaboration with IFES, an organization that can bring fresh energy to the initiative.”
IFES aims to strengthen the educational dimension of the program, while also developing new activities to support teachers, increase student interest, and connect the competition with contemporary economic challenges.
“Through the Economics Olympiad, Greece gains a unique platform for showcasing talent, enhancing economic education, and contributing to the global dialogue on the future of economics. We want the Economics Olympiad to become a point of reference for every school that invests in knowledge, for every parent who wants to invest in their child’s future, and for every student who wants to understand how the world around them works,” stated IFES Executive Director Alona Tatarova.
The Economics Olympiad is made possible thanks to the support of public and private organizations that believe in the importance of economic education and in empowering the next generation. IFES extends an open invitation to companies, foundations, and organizations interested in supporting an initiative with international recognition, active presence in schools across the country, and a meaningful social impact.