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Five young economists from Montenegro represented the country at the 2026 International Final Round of the Economics Olympiad, held in Ancient Olympia, Greece. The event brought together 147 finalists from around the world, selected through national rounds of this year’s Economics Olympiad, which involved around 160,000 participants globally.
Representing Montenegro at this year’s International Final were Katerina Pasichko, Andrea Čičarević, Lazar Džekić, Kora Stanić and Çağan Taşar.
This marked Montenegro’s second participation in the International Final Round, following the country’s introduction of the Economics Olympiad through the Institute for Strategic Studies and Prognoses (ISSP).
Over the course of the International Final, students tested their knowledge of microeconomics, macroeconomics and financial literacy alongside their peers from around the world. Yet the experience extended well beyond the competition itself. Through lectures, educational and cultural activities, and time spent together at the International Olympic Academy in Ancient Olympia, the finalists had an opportunity to exchange ideas, build friendships and experience being part of an international community of young people with a shared interest in economics.
Ivana Perović, one of the teacher mentors who accompanied the Montenegrin students to the International Final, highlighted the value of the experience beyond the competition itself. Reflecting on the time spent in Ancient Olympia, she emphasized the opportunity for students to meet and exchange ideas with young people from around the world.
“Some opportunities are not measured in medals, but in the people with whom you share the moment.”
For Perović, being part of the Economics Olympiad gives students an opportunity to bring their knowledge, ideas and ways of thinking into an international environment, while building friendships and connections that cross national and cultural boundaries.
The value of this experience is also reflected in the perspective of the students themselves. For Andrea Čičarević, who represented Montenegro at the International Final for the second consecutive year, the Economics Olympiad has strengthened both her interest in economics and her motivation to continue developing in the field.
Reflecting on her experience, Andrea emphasized that the Economics Olympiad meant much more to her than a competition. It gave her an opportunity to represent Montenegro, meet young people from different parts of the world and further confirm her ambition to continue learning and developing in the field of economics.
“The Economics Olympiad has further confirmed how much I want to learn, progress and build my knowledge in this field.”
She also highlighted the lasting value of representing her country internationally:
“Such moments remain long after the competition itself – they become memories, motivation and encouragement to continue even stronger.”
The participation of Montenegro’s five finalists in Ancient Olympia concluded another successful edition of the Economics Olympiad in Montenegro. Beyond identifying and recognizing talented students, the initiative aims to encourage young people to develop economic literacy, critical thinking and an interest in economics, while creating opportunities for them to connect their knowledge acquired in the classroom with a broader international experience.
ISSP congratulates all five finalists on reaching the International Final and thanks the students and their mentors for their commitment, effort and contribution throughout all stages of this year’s Economics Olympiad.
The official results and tests from the 2026 International Final Round are available on the Economics Olympiad website. Photos from this year’s International Final are also available in the official photo album.
The Economics Olympiad in Montenegro is organized by the Institute for Strategic Studies and Prognoses (ISSP), with the support of the Economic Fundamentals Initiative (EFI), the Central Bank of Montenegro, the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation, and the University of Donja Gorica. Their continued support contributes to strengthening economic education and financial literacy among young people in Montenegro.