Who we are
The Economy of Francesco (EoF) is a global community of young economists, entrepreneurs, and changemakers from more than 100 countries, working together to transform today’s economy and give a soul to the economy of tomorrow.
Our Origin: A Call that Became a Community
The EoF community was born from a series of personal callings that, thanks to Pope Francis’ intuition, became a shared vocation.
Many of us were already seeking new ways to respond to the challenges of our time — as Saint Francis of Assisi did 800 years ago when he heard the call: “Go and repair my house, which is falling into ruin.”
Inviting young people worldwide to “give a new soul to the economy”, Pope Francis relaunched that same call. What began as an invitation to an event has become a global community that listens, walks together, and discerns collectively.
Two Legacies, One Path
EoF walks in the light of two legacies:
– Saint Francis of Assisi, who renewed institutions from within — from the Church, to peace processes and the economy;
– Pope Francis, who calls us to transform “such an economy that kills” through the lenses of integral ecology (Laudato Si’) and social friendship and universal fraternity (Fratelli Tutti).
Guided by this spirit, EoF is a “sparking process” (Pope Francis), led by young people to empower young people— a community that walks, listens, and discerns collectively, aiming to “initiate processes rather than occupy spaces” (Evangelii Gaudium).
Our Approach
Interdisciplinary
Economists, researchers from other disciplines, entrepreneurs, and changemakers collaborate in a virtuous circle of shared knowledge and action.
Intercultural and Interconfessional
A diverse community engaging across cultures, disciplines, spiritualities, and beliefs.
Intergenerational
Though led by young people, EoF values dialogue and reciprocity between generations — nurturing partnerships among senior and young scholars, entrepreneurs, practitioners, and activists.
Our Global and Local Presence
EoF integrates global and local dimensions:
• Internationally, through 12 Villages and initiatives such as the EoF Academy, EoF School, EoF Summer School, and EoF for Peace.
• Locally, through 50+ Hubs worldwide, where members from the same region embody EoF principles and international experience in their territories, adapting them to local needs and realities.
Our Purpose
To reawaken the soul of the economy by embodying our core values — starting with fraternity, care, and the common good — in our vision, narrative, and projects.
Our Vision
An economy with a soul — one in which the culture of universal fraternity shapes every relationship, taking care of people, the Earth, and all living beings, and striving for the common good, thereby renewing socioeconomic culture and structures.
Our Mission
To advance a youth-led, grassroots process of global and systemic transformation, rethinking economics and shaping an alternative economic vision and narrative through interdisciplinary research, entrepreneurial and social projects, educational initiatives, advocacy, and policy proposals.
EoF: THE BEGINNING AND WHO WE ARE
The 12 “EoF Villages” represent the working sessions of the participants on key topics of the economy of today and tomorrow. This is the place of crossroads and paths, dialogue and confrontation, questions and perspectives, reflections and proposals.
What’s going on locally, what was born from the meetings and after the November event, particular stories of a territory, perspectives, requests, best practices, projects, work-in-progress initiatives, shared paths and local proposals for today & tomorrow’s new economy.
Living The Economy of Francesco events are proposals inspired by The Economy of Francesco life. These are initiatives organized at the regional or local level (in presence or online) in the form of workshops, laboratories, study seminars, conferences, round tables, calls for action and much more.
MEET THE PEOPLE
“Your universities, your businesses and your organizations are workshops of hope for creating new ways of understanding the economy and progress, for combating the culture of waste, for giving voice to those who have none and for proposing new styles of life.” (Letter of the Holy Father May 1, 2019 – “to Young Economists and Entrepreneurs Worldwide”)
The EoF community is mainly made up of stories. Young entrepreneurs, researchers and changemakers building pieces of a different present and future, every day.
GABRIELE
Meet Gabriele Costa B. Garcia, lawyer turned changemaker, who left her career to dedicate herself to tackling violence and inequality through peace and human rights education. Her organization, Think Twice Brasil, has impacted over 12.000 people globally with innovative initiatives such as the School of Changers and programs promoting the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda.
THOMAS
Meet Thomas Ching-wei Tu, a doctoral fellow at National Chengchi University in Taiwan and a dedicated member of the EoF Community. With a decade of diplomatic experience, Thomas explores the intersection of religion, diplomacy, and international relations, shedding light on the crucial role of faith in conflict resolution and peacebuilding. His research on Vatican diplomacy and upcoming workshops highlight how religious institutions shape global affairs, offering fresh perspectives for a more inclusive world.
Do you feel called to transform today’s economy and give a soul to the economy of tomorrow?
Embrace this shared vocation and join our community! We are young economists, entrepreneurs, and changemakers leading a youth-driven, grassroots process to transform socioeconomic culture and structures.
By completing the form on the left, you can apply to join the EoF community.
Your yes is a seed of hope for a renewed economy!
WHAT’S ON
To change the economy, we must love it
Changing the economy is, then, a matter of love. We often think that we need to know something or someone to love it. However, the opposite is also true: it is because I love that I truly know, as I renounce prejudices and open myself to listening; and only because of this love do I feel called to act and to create change.
Birth of the Economy of Francesco Foundation
“To promote and organize initiatives and activities in the cultural and spiritual sphere, scientific research, interdisciplinary training, enterprise and innovation; to foster awareness and responsibility for an economic and entrepreneurial life under the aspect of integral human development; to encourage cultural, academic, publishing and entrepreneurial experiences and paths.”
Wondering & Wandering: when writing ‘revives’ the economy
A project that combined writing activities, nature walks, meditation, and community life to inspire reflections and create individual and collective actions in response to the complex economic challenges today.
Steps for Peace Celebrates 2 Million Steps
«Each walk is a spark which we hope will continue to activate other thousands of young people around the world for Peace. Peace cannot be built without the willingness on the part of each person to leave his or her original position, without setting out on a journey.»
