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Capping Interest Rates on Non-Bank Loans: Good Intentions, Wrong Diagnosis

BY Michael Fanta AND CETA / March 17, 2026

The idea of capping interest rates on non-bank consumer loans has returned to the Czech political agenda. The intention is unimpeachable: protect financially vulnerable people from predatory lenders and prevent debt spirals. Nobody serious disputes that goal. However, will the rate cap actually solve the problem it claims to address?

Economy

Platform Work Directive: A Well-Intentioned Rule That Could Backfire

BY Michael Fanta AND CETA / March 17, 2026

Platform workers in the Czech Republic are not, by and large, a captive workforce in need of rescue. They are people who have made a rational choice to work flexibly, on their own schedule, for income that suits their circumstances. Good regulation should make that choice safer and more transparent. It should not make it impossible.

<i>The Federalist</i> Now Available in Polish

Politics, Think Tank News

The Federalist Now Available in Polish

BY Economic Freedom Foundation / March 10, 2026

One of the most important books in the history of democracy and constitutionalism – The Federalist, written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison – has been published in Polish for the first time.

Economy

Swedish Lessons for Poland: Freedom First, Prosperity Later

BY Marek Tatala AND Economic Freedom Foundation / March 10, 2026

For decades, Sweden has been presented as a proof of the superiority of the welfare state. In reality, its success tells a different story: one of liberalization, a crisis caused by excessive public-sector expansion, and a return to market pragmatism.

Economy

Deregulation in Poland: Steps Forward, Regulatory Steps Back

BY Marek Tatala AND Economic Freedom Foundation / March 6, 2026

The government’s acceptance of more than 190 deregulation proposals was good news. Yet, the overall balance of this “year of deregulation” shows that Poland still lacks a coherent philosophy of lawmaking. Deregulation should not consist of isolated corrections implemented while new, unstable, and excessive regulations are produced at the same time.

THINK TANKS

Academy of Liberalism

Tallinn, Estonia

Bendukidze Free Market Center

Kyiv, Ukraine

Center fo Economic and Market Analyses (CETA)

Prague, Czech Republic

Civic Development Forum (FOR)

Warsaw, Poland

Economic Freedom Foundation

Warsaw, Poland

Free Market Foundation

Budapest, Hungary

Institute for Economic Research and Policy Consulting (IER)

Kiev, Ukraine

Institute for Market Economics (IME)

Sofia, Bulgaria

Institut Liberálních Studií (Institute for Liberal Studies)

Prague, the Czech Republic

Institute of Economic and Social Studies (INESS)

Bratislava, Slovakia

Liberales Institut

Potsdam, Germany

Liberte!

Lodz, Poland

Lithuanian Free Market Institute (LFMI)

Vilnius, Lithuania

Projekt: Polska

Warsaw, Poland

Republikon Institute

Budapest, Hungary

The objective of CETA – Center for Economic and Market Analysis, z. ú. is to analyze market, socio-economic and political phenomena in the Czech Republic and draw attention to their impact. The importance of knowledge in defined areas is accentuated by the activity of CETA, especially to people interested in the functioning of markets and the economy. We focus on research questions related to regulation processes, barriers to economic growth, the creation of well-being and the development of economic freedom in the Czech Republic. We try to inform the public about these problems and their causes, consequences and possibilities for correcting the failure of the institutional environment in the Czech Republic and the European Union through various educational projects, studies, lectures and articles.

The Civic Development Forum Foundation (FOR) was founded by Prof. Leszek Balcerowicz in 2007. The basis of our work is a thorough analysis of most areas of economic policy and law and, going beyond diagnosis, creation of recommendations for the government and the public. Our mission is to increase active support in society for a wide range of individual freedoms (including, in particular, economic freedom) and, by extension, for raising the level of rule of law in the state. The aim is also to reduce support and strengthen resistance in society to solutions that go in the opposite direction.

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The Economic Freedom Foundation is a Polish organization offering grants, advisory and communication services to other non-profit groups to strengthen their impact on liberal changes in Europe. The EFF invests in the most valuable initiatives for economic freedom and creates a space for cooperation of free market advocates, business, politicians, media and academia.

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The Institute for Economic Research and Policy Consulting (IER) is Ukraine’s leading independent think tank, renowned for its innovative approach to economic research and policy advice. Since its establishment in 1999, IER has been committed to proposing and promoting solutions for prosperity and sustainable development rooted in market economy principles, individual freedom, and open dialogue. IER’s mission is to foster evidence-based decision-making by conducting rigorous economic analysis, offering policy recommendations, and facilitating meaningful dialogue between stakeholders. With 25 years of experience, IER has become a trusted advisor on macroeconomic policies, business climate, SME development, international trade, and regional and sectoral advancement. Its contributions have been pivotal in shaping Ukraine’s economic landscape, particularly during the nation’s EU integration and post-conflict recovery efforts. IER’s independence underpins its credibility, allowing it to provide impartial and objective policy recommendations. By actively collaborating with national, regional, and municipal authorities, IER bridges the gap between research and implementation.

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IME is the oldest independent economic think tank in Bulgaria.

IME’s vision is for a free and prosperous society, in which the rule of law and economic freedom create conditions for personal well-being.

IME’s mission is to develop and promote policies and solutions built on the principles of a market economy: minimal state intervention, support for private initiative and competition, freedom of choice, competition, and protection of rights and contracts.

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The Institut Liberálních Studií is a non-governmental, non-partisan, non-profit think tank that aims to develop and apply principles of classical liberalism. Its activities are based on the values of individual liberty, free markets, limited government, and peace. It was founded in July 2020 and between 2020–2024 it was known as the Liberální Institut.

The Institute’s main topics of research and publication are reduction of taxes, deregulation, promotion of competition, reducing the size of the state, and euroskepticism. It also focuses on social liberties where it promotes immigration, same-sex marriage, abortion, and free speech.

The Institute’s main activities are policy research, public commentary, publication of books, research papers, and editorials, and summer school for young students. Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Institute has established a humanitarian mission and has delivered over USD 1 million of aid directly to Ukraine.

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The Institute of Economic and Social Studies (INESS) is an independent non-profit think tank founded in 2005. Its vision is for Slovakia to endorse free enterprise, prosperity, individual liberty, and peace and to create a country, where citizens are aware of the functions and benefits of market mechanisms and the impact of government interventions in the economy. INESS is based on three pillars for its activities: policy analysis, policy advocacy, and educational activities. Its areas of expertise are public finance, taxation, healthcare, education, social system, monetary policy, regulation, labour market, energy policy, agriculture, green deal, economic policy, intellectual property rights, and competition. INESS is financed by voluntary individual or corporate donations and revenues from its own activities.

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The Liberal Institute is the think tank of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom dedicated to political issues such as how liberalism can respond to challenges of contemporary world and how the liberal ideas can contribute to shaping the future. Liberal Intitute’s answers to current problems can be found in the position papers, studies and publications. The Liberal Institute maintains contacts with other liberal think tanks and participates actively in the global exchange of liberal ideas and approaches.

Liberte! is a magazine created by young people in Łódź in 2008. Its mission is to promote an open society, liberal economic ideas and liberal culture and to organize a social movement around these ideas.

Liberte! cooperates with well-known institutions such as Batory Foundations, Naumann Foundation, Polish Confederation of Private Employers Lewiatan as well as Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. Up to now 10 issues of the magazine were printed, the on-line version is available both in Polish and in English.

Liberte! is not only a magazine, it is also an institution which organizes numerous events such as conferences (for example the conference ‘What capitalism after the crisis?’ in cooperation with Lewiatan) or debates. It provides patronage over many important events, such as the 20th Economic Forum in Krynica.

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Lithuanian Free Market Institute (LFMI) is a private, non-profit, non-partisan organization established in 1990 to promote ideas of individual freedom and responsibility, free market, and limited government intervention. Our goal is to foster a free market environment that encourages the people of Lithuania to pursue their own objectives in a way that is constructive to the society’s common interests and not through relying on the government. We believe the best way to assist the accomplishment of these common interests is without any privileges, protection, or restrictions imposed upon particular individuals.

LFMI’s team conducts research on key economic and policy issues, policy analysis, and prepares position papers on legislative initiatives. LFMI also conducts sociological surveys, issues economic literature, and organizes conferences, workshops, and lectures. Educational activities are an integral component of LFMI‘s work and are aimed at making free market ideas an integral part of Lithuanian society.

In pursuit of its mission, LFMI develops a wide range of instruments to publicly disseminate its ideas. We work closely with international organizations, the media, and other groups. We constantly look for new forms of communication to present our ideas quickly and effectively.

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The mission of Fundacja Projekt: Polska is to bring together experts and young leaders to promote public policy solutions for Poland based on the free market, free society, European values and the rule of law. Fundacja Projekt: Polska is a joint initiative between two different groups. The first group consists of business and media people who were in their teenage years shortly after the collapse of Communism and the second consists of young people from Liberal youth and student associations. We think that public life in Poland needs more projects and constructive ways of thinking. Each project has precise aims, costs and profits. Each has a timetable and it is therefore possible to evaluate how successful it has been. A project can only be successful when it is created and implemented by competent people. We want to act as a platform to give young people the chance to professionalise and to prepare – in a politically impartial way – to take part in public life. We also want to give young professionals and business people who entered the labour market since 1989 the chance to get involved in politics and civil society, in turn passing on their skills and knowledge to the next generation. We support and advocate changes in Poland by establishing unique and independent think tanks. The main goal of our foundation is to initiate changes in Poland with the help of professionals, think tanks and projects promoted with the support of our partners. Fundacja Projekt: Polska has created the Państwomiasto, a multidimensional hub in central Warsaw. It is a vibrant coworking space for NGOs and create professionals and a place where members of civil society can develop their projects and present their results. A gallery and café complete the facilities.

Additionally, Fundacja Projekt: Polska invited preeminent Polish experts to join forces in the creation of Centrum Cyfrowe (Digital Centre), offering expertise and know-how on the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to enhance social capital in Poland, civic engagement and public efficiency.

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Republikon Institute is a liberal think tank organisation based in Budapest, focusing on analysing Hungarian and international politics, formulating policy recommendations and initiating projects that contribute to a more open, democratic and free society. The goal of the Institute is to promote discussion and implementation of liberal ideas, approaches and policies.

Through political analyses, quantitative research and extensive media studies, Republikon aims to influence the public debate by shedding light on the operations of the government and the different political parties. Republikon is also constantly monitoring government policy with regards to healthcare, education, the economy, tolerance and human rights issues.

Republikon Institute places great emphasis on organising events that give an opportunity for decision makers, academics and experts to interact and share ideas on various current political and policy issues.

We are a platform for experts and intellectuals from Central and Eastern Europe, embodying the liberal environment, to share their opinions and ideas.

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