Empowering Teachers, Expanding Access to Economics Education

In 2025, Economic Fundamentals Initiative saw ambitious goals take root and inspire meaningful change across Kosovo, Georgia, Ukraine, and North Macedonia. What began with a pilot program has become a regional movement, one where teachers are not just educators but change-makers, bringing economics education into classrooms with renewed energy, modern pedagogy, and inclusive reach.

This year, 444 teachers completed EFI’s Teacher Training Pilot (TTP), more than doubling our numbers from 2024, when we worked with 189 educators. That puts us at over 600 educators trained in just two years—an achievement that reflects not only growth, but deepening impact as these teachers apply fresh, student-centred methods in truly diverse settings.

One of the most important developments in 2025 is the inclusion of North Macedonia as a full TTP country partner. For the first time, EFI’s training engaged both Albanian- and Macedonian-speaking teachers, using the language of economics to bridge communities across divides.

Sustaining growth requires more than enthusiasm, and we are grateful to report that EFI has secured over $40,000 in funding this year. Generous contributions came from the Atlas Network (including matching funds), the Reynolds Foundation, the Bank of Georgia, Frutex Kosovo, and other partners. These funds aren’t simply keeping our work going—they are helping to build local partnerships and long-term sustainability of economics education reform.

If there is a story that captures the resilience at the heart of our mission, it is our work in Ukraine. Amidst ongoing conflict, 170 teachers persevered, completing the training with support from EFI’s local partner, the Bendukidze Free Market Center. Their dedication is a powerful reminder that education is not merely a service; it is hope, an anchor in tumultuous times.

Looking to 2026, we are preparing to welcome Kazakhstan into the TTP family. Narxoz University will host a major Teacher Training workshop in the summer of 2026. Through our new Kazakh trainers, we expect to engage 200–400 new teachers across the country, helping to expand our reach. Beyond geography, work is already underway to adapt our curriculum for children with developmental disabilities, an essential step toward making economics education truly inclusive for all learners.

2025 has reinforced what EFI has long believed: that teaching economic literacy can empower entire communities. The numbers tell part of the story; the experiences of teachers in overcoming adversity, reaching across languages, and building futures tell the rest.

We extend our deepest thanks to the teachers who invest tirelessly in their students; to the local partners who make the work possible on the ground; and to the donors whose support

underpins every part of this growing framework. Together, we are not just teaching economics—we are empowering voices, opening doors, and building inclusive societies where every student sees economics not as a distant theory, but as a living tool for opportunity and change.