Money Magician - Economic competition for secondary school students in Transylvania

By project SEE

Published on 27 March 2025

Romania

Centru

About this good practice

Addressing the limited competitiveness of the business sector in the region of Transylvania, Romania, this competition has been a flagship initiative since its launch in 2009. Every year, it is organized through the collaboration of institutions like Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania, the Hungarian Economists’ Society of Romania, the Hungarian Consulates in Romania and OTP Bank.
The competition focuses on developing essential skills for personal and professional growth, including entrepreneurial thinking, creativity, problem-solving, digital proficiency, sustainability mindset and teamwork.
By 2019, Money Magician has evolved into a three-stage, team-based event, with teams of four students from 14 counties in Transylvania.
Teams tackle an online quiz of economic questions and submit a video presentation of a business plan in the first round, they solve a case study based on a real company in the regional finals and the top teams deal with a new case study in the live "super final", organised in Miercurea Ciuc, Harghita county.
Participants gain both theoretical knowledge and practical insights by tackling real-world challenges and engaging in real company case studies, developed under the guidance of teachers and company managers. The competition provides entrepreneurs with creative solutions and innovative ideas from fresh perspectives, while students gain practical understanding of business operations by being exposed to real business challenges.

Resources needed

The annual budget for the competition is just over €11 000, which is raised through grant applications and sponsorship from local businesses. The organising team consists of three coordinators who run the competition on a voluntary basis, with the help of volunteer university students.

Evidence of success

In 15 years, the competition, which started as a one-afternoon event, has grown to 3 rounds, covering more and more Transylvanian counties. The 2024 edition attracted 102 teams of secondary school students from 10 counties, i.e. 408 students from 18 municipalities and 34 schools. The total value of the prizes awarded in the last edition was more than 4000 EUR. Follow-up shows that many participating students continue to be involved in entrepreneurship or pursue careers in the business sector.

Potential for learning or transfer

The Money Magician competition represents a highly transferable good practice for other regions due to its multifaceted approach to fostering entrepreneurial skills among youth. By bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical problem-solving, it equips students with entrepreneurial mindset throughout their learning journey.
The competition’s collaborative structure, involving schools, business organizations and local companies, demonstrates a strong community involvement. By engaging students in addressing local business challenges, it stimulates regional economic growth. Additionally, its modest annual budget makes it an accessible and scalable initiative.
Follow-ups show a lasting impact, with participants often pursuing entrepreneurial paths or roles in business, showcasing its long-term benefits. However, transferring this practice may require adjustments to local educational systems, cultural contexts and funding opportunities, which are key factors to consider.