New YES! Round Getting Underway

YES! – Young Economics Solutions focuses on global challenges in the environment, the economy, society and politics, and is one of Germany’s most prestigious competitions for school pupils. The programme is characterised by a strong link between academic research and young people’s creativity. Under the patronage of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, pupils from Year 10 onwards develop their own solutions to complex problems. They are supported in this by mentors from academia and the professional world.

ZEW has been a permanent partner of YES! since 2017 and is once again providing a diverse range of research questions for 2027: 

• “My garden, our benefit: How can economic and social incentives bring more biodiversity to our towns and cities?” by Tim Kalmey and Eunseong Park
• “Understanding money, shaping the future: How can financial education empower young people to make sustainable financial decisions in the long term?” by Anna-Lena Herforth and Leah Zimmerer
• “No cash? What could a digital currency look like?” by Vincent Rost
• “Air conditioning for the soul: How can we make urban spaces more heat- and noise-resistant for everyone?” by Eline Schoonjans

From November 2026, school teams across Germany will be able to apply to take part in the competition, organised for the second time by the German Climate Foundation in Bremen. ZEW is happy to support enquiries from schools in the Baden-Württemberg region. On 16 June 2027, the institute will once again host the YES! regional final for the Southwest region in Mannheim.