Empowering Armenia’s Future Policymakers Through Economic Thinking

The Tatevatsi Policymaking Challenge 2026 has successfully concluded, bringing together talented high school students from across Armenia to tackle some of the country’s most pressing economic and social policy issues.

Organized by the School of Economic Decisions (SED) within the Center for Behavioral Decisions (CBD), the program was designed to help students develop the analytical, evidence-based thinking skills needed to address real-world public policy challenges. Over the course of three months, participants explored topics ranging from agricultural subsidies and public debt management to healthcare financing, tax policy, decentralization, and climate resilience.

The challenge engaged approximately 48 students and eight coordinating teachers from eight educational institutions representing both urban and rural regions of Armenia. Working in teams, students researched complex policy issues, developed detailed policy briefs, and presented their recommendations before a distinguished panel of experts.

A particularly notable aspect of this year’s program was its close alignment with the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Armenia, helping connect classroom learning with the realities of public policymaking.

Throughout the program, students received training in public policy design, evidence-based analysis, cost-benefit assessment, stakeholder engagement, and policy communication. They also developed the confidence to defend their proposals through rigorous questioning and debate—skills that are rarely accessible at the high school level.

The Grand Finale took place on 29 May 2026, where teams presented and defended their policy proposals before a jury that included representatives from the American University of Armenia, the World Bank, and Armenia’s Ministry of Finance. Noyemberyan High School was awarded first place for its proposal examining agricultural subsidization and how government support can better balance social assistance with productivity and long-term economic growth.

Programs such as the Tatevatsi Policymaking Challenge demonstrate the power of economic education to move beyond theory and into practice. By equipping young people with the tools to analyse evidence, evaluate trade-offs, and develop practical solutions, the initiative is helping prepare a new generation of informed citizens, leaders, and policymakers for Armenia’s future.

EFI is proud to support opportunities that strengthen economic understanding, critical thinking, and civic engagement among young people across the region.