Be the voice of Romania’s future. Present your ideas on economics, policy, and education and represent Romania internationally.

👉 Hosted by RECE · EY · Ziarul Financiar

📌 Applications close 1 May 2026 (max 300 entries)

Why Join RYFE?

RYFE is the national platform for young leaders to shape the conversation about Romania’s future.

What you gain:

• 🎓 Recognition – Certificate of participation signed by RECE, EY & Ziarul Financiar.

• 📰 Visibility – Coverage in Ziarul Financiar for finalists.

• 👥 Opportunities – EY mentorship, internships, and scholarship nominations.

• 🌍 Global Stage – Chance to represent Romania at the Council of Europe.

• 🤝 Community – Connect with Romania’s brightest peers in economics, humanities, and policy.

How It Works

• Step 1: Apply (Oct 2025–1 May 2026)
  Submit your essay (in Romanian or English) and a 5-minute video presenting your ideas.

• Step 2: Evaluation (May 2026)
  Submissions reviewed by our jury.

• Step 3: National Event (June 2026)
  Top 30 students invited to the RECE, EY & ZF Forum.
  • Top 10 present live before the jury.
  • Remaining 20 may showcase their work on presentation boards.

• Step 4: Jury Selection
  EY, ZF & RECE select students for mentorships, internships, scholarship nominations and Council of Europe visit in 2026.

• Step 5: Global Stage
  Selected participants represent Romania at the Council of Europe, late summer 2026.

The Jury

Your work will be evaluated by a professional jury formed of:

• EY – senior partners and mentors

• Ziarul Financiar – editors and opinion leaders

• RECE – academic mentors with international competition expertise

👉 Ensuring a balance of business insight, societal relevance, and academic quality.

Prizes & Benefits

All valid submissions (up to 300):

• Certificate signed by RECE, EY & Ziarul Financiar.

Top 30 finalists:

• Invitation to EY/ZF-hosted national event (May 2026).

• Coverage in Ziarul Financiar.

Top 10 presenters:

• Present live in front of the jury.

• EY mentorship sessions.

• Considered for EY internships.

• Considered for WU Vienna scholarship nomination.

Selected participants (chosen by EY/ZF/RECE jury):

• Represent Romania at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.

Theme for 2025–2026

“The Future of Romania: Growth, Equity & Innovation”

Your submission should explore one of the guiding questions:

• How can Romania balance economic growth with social equity? (EY)

• "Cum își poate proteja o țară ca România interesele naționale într-o lume dominată de rivalități între marile puteri și competiție tehnologică accelerată?"  (Nicoleta Pauliuc, Președinte al Comisiei pentru apărare, ordine publică și siguranță națională – Senatul României )

• Cum ar trebui să arate România, care ar fi lucrurile la care v-ați uita astfel încât, după terminarea studiilor în afară, să nu rămâneți acolo, ci să reveniți în țară pentru a începe o carieră profesională sau chiar un business? (Ziarul Financiar)

• How can Romania harness digitalisation and AI without leaving people behind? RECE Partner in Excellence Ms. Mihaela Bucatariu Ph.D, Sf Sava National College

• In a world where "international order" as we know it is threatened, challenged and misused based on the power actors claims to have, how can  younger generations strengthen the only certainty that exists : "the future is ours"

  (Marius Jitea, Manager Public - Direcției Coordonare Politici și Programe; Secretariatul General al Guvernului)

• Nothing fits? Submit your own research. RECE Senior Partner in Excellence Ms. Dana Farcas will evaluate your research question using the same criteria mentioned below under Competition Assessment Rubric.

Timeline

• Oct–April 2026 – Applications open (essay + video).

• 1 May 2026 – Application deadline.

• May 2026 – Evaluation.

• June 2026 – EY/ZF National Forum (top 30 finalists).

• June 2026 – Announcement of participants selected for internships, scholarships and visit to Strasbourg.

• Aug 2026 – Visit to Council of Europe, Strasbourg.

Partners & Supporters

We are proud to collaborate with:
EY · Ziarul Financiar · RECE

FAQ

Who can apply?
High school students aged 16–19, from public and private schools in Romania.

How many entries are accepted?
Up to 300 valid submissions.

What language?
Romanian or English. Selected global representatives must prepare English versions.

Is it free?
Yes. Thanks to the support of EY & Ziarul Financiar, participation is free.

How will my work be evaluated?
By a professional jury formed of EY, Ziarul Financiar, and RECE.

Where can I find more details before applying?

Here is our rules and regulations Romanian Youth Forum in Education_Rules&Regulation for Registration.pdf and our rubric for assessment Romanian Youth Forum in Education – Competition Assessment Rubric.pdf. 

📌 Applications close 1 May 2026 (limited to 300 entries).

Be part of Romania’s next generation of leaders in economics, policy, and education.