As governments around the world revive tariffs in the name of “protection,” the hard-won lessons of decades of open trade are quietly being forgotten. The consequences reach far beyond economics, affecting consumer welfare, innovation, and global cooperation.

Each year, Atlas Network selects ten partner organizations that are punching above their weight and generate impressive returns on philanthropic investment. These teams are known as Atlas Network Smart Bets. The 2025 Smart Bets partners include groups with a clear track record of success in advancing individual freedom, in addition to up-and-coming rising stars which present unique opportunities for significant impact.

On May 12-13, 2022, some 230 individuals hailing from 39 different countries gathered in Warsaw, Poland, for Atlas Network’s annual Europe Liberty Forum, co-hosted by Civil Development Forum and Economic Freedom Foundation.

The 2017 Canadian Free Trade Agreement helped break down barriers to trade within the country, but Ontario, Alberta, and Manitoba held on to some exceptions to the trade deal. Atlas Network partner Montreal Economic Institute pursued an educational campaign to show that these policies were harmful to the Canadian economy and everyday people. Through these efforts, they brought about policy changes that promise to benefit millions of people.

The freedom movement's biggest annual event - over 700 activists, influencers, and intellectuals gathered together. Find the event session summaries here.

First launched in 2019 as an initiative of Atlas Network’s Center for U.S. and Canada, the 2022 Smart Bets class represents 10 rising and established stars in our network who have all been selected to receive $35,000 in funding, with the opportunity to compete for an additional $50,000 in the Investors Summit for Liberty, held the day after Liberty Forum & Freedom Dinner 2021 in Miami, Florida.

First launched in 2019 as an initiative of Atlas Network’s Center for U.S. and Canada, the 2022 Smart Bets class represents 10 rising and established stars in our network who have all been selected to receive $35,000 in funding, with the opportunity to compete for an additional $50,000 in the Investors Summit for Liberty, held the day after Liberty Forum & Freedom Dinner 2021 in Miami, Florida.

Thanks to your generous support, Atlas Network is able to provide grant funding to groups around the world that are making a difference in the cause of individual liberty and economic agency. Below are just a few highlights of the work our partners have done in recent months.

In 2018, the Canadian Parliament revived the outdated Canada Elections Act. Within the refreshed law was Section 91, which sought to halt the spread of misinformation during federal elections. The section gave unelected officials the power to fine or even imprison Canadians for posting or sharing information on social media which the government deemed false.

Leader Lab participants sell their value proposition to a live international audience of Liberty Forum attendees who vote on the winners.

Atlas Network partner Montreal Economic Institute (MEI) is taking major strides forward in two areas of Quebec policy: taxi deregulation and healthcare reform.