EURO Challenge

Welcome to the Euro Challenge!

The Euro Challenge is an exciting educational opportunity for high school students to learn about the European Union (EU) – the largest trading partner of the U.S. – and its single currency, the euro. The competition offers students a unique experience that moves them out of the classroom into the real world.

For the competition, students research problems and solutions to Europe’s economic challenges. A team of three to five students presents findings in a competition format. The best teams from each region travel to NYC to compete in the national finals at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Conditional on an annual grant, winning teams go on a trip to Washington generously offered by the Moody’s Foundation.

The competition requires no previous knowledge of economics or Europe, and students and teachers can access an array of educational resources and training materials on the competition website: https://www.euro-challenge.org.

The 2025 Euro Challenge will consist of preliminary (regional), semi-final, and final rounds. School registration is currently open. 

Congratulations to the Okemos High School team from Okemos, Mich. (below) for winning the final round of the 2024 Euro Challenge! 

© EU
© EU
Euro Challenge 2025

For the 2025 Euro Challenge competition, which will take place in the spring of 2025, student teams will be asked to deliver 15-minute presentations in which they are required to:

  1. Describe the current economic situation in the euro area (the economic region consisting of the 20 EU member countries who have adopted the euro). The description must include a discussion of GDP growth, unemployment, and inflation in the euro area and a brief discussion of the current monetary policy activities of the European Central Bank (ECB).

  2. Select one economic-related challenge topic confronting the euro area as a whole (see list below), and pick one of the 20 member countries of the euro area to illustrate that challenge. 

  3. Recommend a policy or policies for addressing the challenge you identified in the country you selected. Be sure to include in your recommendation a discussion of how having a single currency may or may not affect the policy choices for addressing the challenge.

Teams can choose one of the following economic-related challenge topic:

  1. Climate change and going green
  2. Managing migration flows
  3. Inequality, social mobility, and the gender gap
  4. Boosting growth, competitiveness, and prosperity
  5. High government deficits and debt
What’s in it for students and teachers?
  • Subsidized trip to Chicago for the Midwest regional round and to New York City for teams that advance to the semi-final round (Limited travel grants and substitute teacher fees available, apply early!)**
  • Opportunity to present to experts at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York
  • All competing students will get a certificate of accomplishment
  • Option of participating virtually in the competition. To learn more, view the orientation video and visit the Euro Challenge website.
How and when do I register?

First, register your school here. This is not a commitment to participate, and you do not need to have put together a team of students yet. Next, in January and February, you will register your team. For the team registration, you will need to enter the names and grade levels of your students and which country and challenge your team(s) selected. If you have any questions, please write to eucenter@illinois.edu. 

Important dates (please check back for finalized dates)

January 2025: Midwest Regional Orientation 

Tuesday, April 1: Midwest Preliminary Round (location TBD)

Late April to early May 2025: Semi-final and final round in New York City

Teacher testimonials:

“In my opinion, the Euro Challenge is one of the most transformational experiences of my students’ high school careers.” — Kathleen Brennen, Mount Saint Mary Academy (A Euro Challenge Veteran): Read more here.

“My students gained knowledge about the EU that far outweighs that of typical high school content. The invaluable experience through the team work required to prepare for the Euro Challenge and the competition itself, judged by EU specialists, will serve them a lifetime. All of this gives them an enormous advantage as they look towards college and career choices.”  — Letitia Zwickert, Naperville Central HS, (Midwest Regional Competition Winner 2015): Read more here.

Over the years, we have experienced the Euro Challenge in-person, completely remote and hybrid.  There is nothing like the in-person experience.  From the students meeting the other teams and seeing them prepare before their presentation to personally engaging with the judges during the presentation and Q & A, the atmosphere is exciting.  The students take the Euro Challenge very seriously and work very hard to create a concrete presentation.  Between technical difficulties, background distractions on zoom, and other realities not realized at in-person rounds, it is greatly appreciated by those participating for the full Euro Challenge experience. -Tamra Carl, teacher

For more information about the competition in Illinois, please contact the EU Center (eucenter@illinois.edu).

The Euro Challenge is a program of the Delegation of the European Union to the United States of America. It is managed by Working in Support of Education and run with the help of regional partner organizations. The program is run by the University of Illinois European Union Center in Illinois and the Midwest.