Economic Fundamentals Initiative

Happy Republic Day, North Macedonia!

Today we celebrate the people of North Macedonia and the country's rich history, culture, and achievements.

We're proud to work alongside our dedicated local partner, the Liberal Alternative Institute, to expand economic education and create opportunities for young people across the country. We wish everyone celebrating a wonderful Republic Day!

Before representing Ukraine at the International Final Round of the Economics Olympiad, the country's national team came together in Kyiv for an intensive five-day preparation camp hosted by Bendukidze Free Market Center in partnership with the Kyiv School of Economics.

Throughout the week, students strengthened their knowledge of economics, refined their academic English, took part in policy debates, learned from Olympiad alumni, and explored how economic ideas are communicated to wider audiences. Alongside their academic preparation, team-building activities helped build confidence and camaraderie ahead of the international competition.

We wish the team every success as they prepare to represent Ukraine on the international stage.

Read the full story here: https://www.econfun.org/ukraines-national-team-builds-skills-for-the-international-economics-olympiad/

Can governments successfully plan complex societies, or do people make better decisions when they're free to coordinate on their own?

In this Learning Center video from our partner content creator, you can explore the concept of spontaneous order and why economists argue that decentralized decision-making often produces better outcomes than central planning.

From Central Park to everyday markets, discover how cooperation, incentives, and local knowledge can solve problems without a central authority directing every decision.

🎥 Watch now: https://content.econfun.org/en/video?id=government-central-planning-fails

Teachers shape the future—one classroom at a time. 🍎

The latest Economic Education Accelerator, delivered by our Ukrainian partner Bendukidze Free Market Center (BFMC) with support from EFI, has expanded into three new regions of Ukraine.

The latest Economic Education Accelerator expanded into three new regions of Ukraine, with 41 teachers taking part in hands-on training designed to strengthen classroom learning.

The feedback in this graphic shows just how valuable these opportunities are—not only for educators, but for the thousands of students they'll inspire in the years ahead.

Read the full story:
🔗 https://www.econfun.org/economic-education-accelerator-expands-to-three-more-regions-of-ukraine/

Great teachers inspire great students.

We're proud to share this reflection from Lum Çollaku, who recently took part in EFI's Teacher Training Program in Kosovo.

By supporting teachers with practical skills, fresh ideas and opportunities to learn from one another, we're helping create more engaging economics classrooms for the next generation.

Read more about the programme here:

https://www.econfun.org/teacher-training-program-strengthens-economics-education-across-kosovo/

Why do governments give special tax breaks and subsidies to large corporations? And who really benefits?

In this video from our Learning Center, our partner content creator explores the concept of corporate welfare through the story of IKEA's expansion into Memphis, and what happened to local businesses when government incentives entered the picture.

Economics encourages us to ask difficult questions about incentives, competition, and the unintended effects of public policy.

🎥 Watch now: https://content.econfun.org/en/video?id=corporate-welfare