In the newly opened Digital Center at CERGE-EI, a pilot project for distance learning Bachelor's and Master's programs - the Distance Learning Program - was launched in the spring of 2020. Four universities from Kosovo, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, and the Russian Federation participated in the pilot project during the spring semester.

The aim of the Distance Learning Program is to help underfunded and isolated universities fill gaps in their curricula. Following the success of the pilot spring semester, the program has expanded both in the number of courses offered and the number of participating universities. While in the short term the program allows participating universities to expand their course offerings, the long-term goal is to build local capacity. The aim is for participating institutions to be able to deliver these courses without external support.

This project, supported by the Foundation from 2012-2013, and authored by Vladimíra Šilhánková, Michael Pondělíček, Miroslav Pavlas, and Martin Maštálka, culminated in the publication of a monograph titled "Economic and Security Impacts of (Sub)Urbanization," published by Civitas Per Populi, Hradec Králové, in 2013.

The project aimed to complete original research focused on monitoring the economic and security impacts of (sub)urbanization on the functioning of our municipalities and cities.

This was a unique interdisciplinary study involving students and faculty from the Regional Development program at the Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Pardubice. The research, conducted continuously since 2009, gathered a wealth of new and previously undocumented findings on the (often very negative) economic impacts of new territorial development and the overall (sub)urbanization process on the functioning of our cities and municipalities.

The project's goal was to summarize the research findings and publish them in the form of a scholarly monograph, which was successfully accomplished. As mentioned, students were also involved in the research, bringing a variety of interesting and fresh perspectives to the issue.

The monograph is intended for professionals and students in the fields of public finance, urban economics, environmental economics, regional development, urban planning, public administration, and others.

The book can be ordered from the publisher via email at civitasperpopuli@gmail.com.

What does supporting economic education, teaching, and research at CERGE-EI actually mean? Let's take a look at a specific example: the use of a donation from Benson Oak in the academic year 2012/2013.

The donation funded the following:

- Doctoral student mobility: Supporting a doctoral student's mobility to a prestigious foreign university to broaden their research experience and network with international scholars.

- CERGE-EI Library – database acquisition: Purchasing the OECD iLibrary database, providing access to a vast collection of economic data, analyses, and publications.

- Seminar Series: Hosting renowned economists from top universities worldwide (e.g., Princeton, Northwestern, Oxford) to share their research and inspire students.

- Distinguished Speakers Series: Inviting Nobel laureates such as Professor Eric Maskin to deliver keynote addresses.

- Conference travel: Covering travel expenses for CERGE-EI representatives to attend international conferences and recruit top economic talent.

CERGE-EI, as a recipient of donations, is committed to fostering the academic growth of its students. By supporting student mobility, the foundation enables students to gain valuable international experience and build lasting professional relationships.

The acquisition of the OECD iLibrary database significantly enhanced the resources available to students and faculty, providing them with access to the latest research and data.

The seminar series and distinguished speakers program have enriched the academic environment at CERGE-EI, exposing students to cutting-edge research and inspiring them to pursue their own academic goals.

By supporting faculty travel to international conferences, the foundation has helped to strengthen CERGE-EI's position as a leading center for economic research and education.

Among the projects that can be supported through our grants program are seminars, panel discussions, and conferences. One such supported project targeted the youngest students—high school students. This project, part of our 14th grant program, involved giving lectures to high school students.

The goal of the "Experts to Schools" project was to introduce Czech high school students to current economic issues as seen by renowned Czech economists from universities and financial institutions.

The aim was to bring economics to life for students and motivate them to pursue higher education in economics-related fields.

Lectures delivered:

- The banking sector and its importance for the economy

- Banks' fight against money laundering

- The Czech Republic and the adoption of the Euro

- The Czech Republic in the European Union (economic issues)

- Financial literacy: How to avoid financial problems

- Corruption

- The crisis and the future of the eurozone

- Usury in Czech history

- The EU migration crisis

- Wage issues from the perspective of employees, employers, and self-employed individuals

- Money and counterfeiting

- Payment cards

- Entrepreneurial basics

- EU policies and budget

- Risks in banks and their management

- The European Union budget

- Consumer loans: What to watch out for when taking out this type of loan

- The state of the global and Czech economies

- Snippets from the history of banking

- Loans

- Public finance

- Changes in accounting for businesses as of 1 January 2016