FAQ

Where can we find more information on how to approach the tasks?

This website should provide most of the information you need, but you may also find useful information on the ECB’s website

What are the deadlines for the three rounds of the competition?

 

 

  • Round 1 - Online Quiz: 27 October 2021 - 17 December 2021
  • Round 2 - Analysis: 20 December 2021 - 18 February 2022
  • Round 3 - Presentation: 29 March 2022

Teams with a score of 95% or higher in the quiz will automatically go into Round 2. Teams with a score close to 95% might be invited to register for Round 2. If there are fewer qualifying teams than the minimum number of 20, those with the next best scores will also be invited to take part.

It is recommended to rehearse the trial quiz several times prior to registering for the competition and taking the real quiz. The trial quiz can be found on generationeuro.eu: 1) by clicking on "Quiz" or "Try the quiz" if the competition is running; or 2) by clicking on “Take the Trial version of the quiz” if the competition is over. The trial quiz can be always taken regardless of whether Round 1 and/or the competition is still ongoing.

An email will be sent following Round 1 of the competition inviting the team to participate in the second round.

Students will have to prepare in writing (Round 2) and orally (Round 3) an economic and monetary analysis and attempting to anticipate whether the Governing Council of the ECB will decide to lower or raise interest rate for the euro area, or keep it the same. A briefing note will be emailed to teams prior to the start of the analysis and presentation rounds.

This is up to the teacher(s) in charge. Of course, a lively discussion with other classmates about setting interest rate and the reasons for their decision will always be interesting.

Teams are required to write an analysis in which they clearly state their interest rate decision and the reasons behind it.

Please note that teams are free to decide on the format of the analysis themselves, i.e. it is up to them how they choose to present their arguments. Originality will be rewarded and copying and pasting should be avoided.

Analyses must be no more than 2,000 words in length (and may also include charts and tables). Please use Arial 12 pt, line spacing of 1.5 lines and paragraph spacing of 1.5 lines. 

Teams are free to select the format of their presentations themselves, but are encouraged to present the interest rate decision and the reasons behind it in line with the structure of the introductory statement to the press conferences at which the ECB’s President explains the Governing Council’s monetary policy decision.

Presentations must not exceed 20 minutes in length and all team members (except the teacher) should be equally involved.

The question and answer part of the presentation is as important as the actual presentation itself. The jury will test teams’ understanding and knowledge of monetary policy and assess how they justify their interest rate decision. Teams may also be asked about current events that may be having an effect on the economy.

The analyses will be assessed by a jury mainly composed of staff from the Central Bank of Ireland.

The presentations will be assessed by a jury mainly composed of staff from the Central Bank of Ireland.

No. The jury will only assess the analysis on the basis of the evaluation criteria here below.

Yes, the jury members will know your names and the name of your school when your team gives its presentation. However, the jury will base its judgement solely on the evaluation criteria here below.

The evaluation criteria will be:

  • the rationale underlying the proposed interest rate decision
  • the accuracy of that decision
  • familiarity with, and accurate use of, expressions and terms related to monetary policy
  • students' creativity and own research.

The analysis may be marked down if it exceeds the 2,000-word target.

The evaluation criteria will be:

  • the rationale underlying the proposed interest rate decision
  • the accuracy of that decision
  • familiarity with, and accurate use of, expressions and terms related to monetary policy
  • the structure of the presentation
  • oral presentation skills
  • the level of participation among team members
  • the method used to give the presentation.

No, the analysis will be kept by the Central Bank of Ireland.

Personal data such as your name, the name of your school and your e-mail address are used only for the purpose of organising the competition. During the analysis round, the data will not be revealed to the jury. Competitors’ personal information will be handled in accordance with the privacy statement.[CL1] 

 [CL1]Please link to new Generation Euro privacy statement page on centralbank.ie

During the analysis round you can withdraw at any time without needing to take any action. However, once your team has been invited to the presentation round and you have accepted this invitation, your team leader should email generationeuro@centralbank.ie as soon as possible. The ECB may then decide to invite another team to take part in the final round.