Banco de la República (the Central Bank of Colombia) launches the 13th National Short Essay Contest: From the School to the Central Bank

Link
More information about the contest (only in Spanish)
Students in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 from all schools across the country are invited to participate in this edition of the contest by answering the question: Why is the independence of Banco de la República essential for the country's economic stability?
Publication Date:
Monday, 17 February 2025
09:24

Students in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 from all schools across the country are invited to participate in this edition of the contest by answering the question: Why is the independence of Banco de la República essential for the country's economic stability?

The “From the School to the Central Bank” contest is part of the Economic Education Program– Banrep Educa, which aims to promote a better understanding of Banco de la República ’s importance in the Colombian economy and society, its objectives and functions, and how the Central Bank’s decisions relate to our daily lives and well-being.

In this edition of the contest, Banco de la República invites students in 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades from all schools across the country to participate.

To do so, students must form teams of three to five members under the guidance of a teacher. They must consider both the current economic context of their region and the national context and write a short essay answering the following question: Why is the independence of Banco de la República essential for the country's economic stability?

All teams wishing to participate with their essays must register using the contest’s registration form before the established deadline.

Important Dates

  • Start of the call: 17 February 2025
  • Deadline for digital essay submissions: 26 May 2025 (23:59)*
  • Announcement of the ten semifinalist essays: 29 August 2025
  • Submission of videos by semifinalist teams: 15 September 2025
  • Posting of semifinalist videos on Banco de la República’s Instagram for popular voting: 22 September 2025
  • Closing of voting for semifinalist essays: 26 September 2025
  • Announcement of the three finalist essays: 30 September 2025
  • Presentation and award ceremony (in-person or virtual): November 2025

*Institutions under the type-B school year calendar (schools beginning in September and ending in June of the following year) must submit their essays on the proposed date while still enrolled. If selected as finalists, they may present their work to the jury after graduation.

Awards

The winners of the contest will receive the following prizes:

First Place*

COP 6,500,000 for the student team.
COP 4,000,000 for the teacher advisor.
COP 11,500,000 in educational resources for the school (formal education).

*The Universidad del Rosario grants a scholarship in the School of Economics, subject to its admission requirements.

Second Place

COP 4,600,000 for the student team.
COP 2,850,000 for the teacher advisor.
COP 5,700,000 in educational resources for the school (formal education).

Third place

COP 3,400,000 for the student team.
COP 1,700,000 for the teacher advisor.
COP 3,400,000 in educational resources for the school (formal education).

More information about the contest (only in Spanish)