The World Bank Group Youth Summit returns for its 13th edition, inviting young people to engage with the most urgent issues their generation faces, while bringing together thousands of participants from across the globe. Under the theme #FutureWorks: Designing Jobs for the Digital Age, this year’s Summit will center on education and skills, entrepreneurship, and agriculture.

 

The Youth Summit is the World Bank Group's largest annual event for youth (ages 18-35) worldwide. It will be held on June 11-12, 2026, featuring activities and engagements both at the World Bank Group headquarters in Washington DC and across various regions.

The mission of the Summit is to:

 

  • Empower youth to explore innovative solutions to development challenges;
  • Equip youth with the tools to create and participate in impactful projects; and
  • Foster dialogue between youth, the World Bank Group, and other key global stakeholders.

 

Learn more about the upcoming activities and the summit theme below!

 

This event will be in a hybrid format.

 

 

The 2026 World Bank Group Youth Summit invites young changemakers, innovators, and leaders to shape a sustainable and inclusive future through bold, youth-driven solutions. Under the theme "FutureWorks: Designing Jobs for the Digital Age" this year’s summit focuses on three transformative areas:

  1. Education and Skills 
  2. Entrepreneurship 
  3. Agriculture

When discussing these subthemes, the Summit will focus on three fresh perspectives on innovation: technology innovation, development financing, and fragile settings. By spotlighting these areas, the event aims to amplify diverse voices, foster innovation for sustainable development, and build collaborative networks to scale impact globally.

Join us in celebrating the creativity, technology, and entrepreneurial spirit of young leaders as they redefine possibilities, impulse new job opportunities, and lead the charge for a more inclusive and resilient world.

 

Why is it relevant?

Over the next 10 to 15 years, an estimated 1.2 billion young people in emerging markets will reach working age, while these economies are projected to generate only 400 million jobs, creating a significant employment gap. As a result, nearly 800 million young people risk being excluded from the labor market, particularly those from marginalized groups facing barriers related to gender, ethnicity, disability, and other social identities.

Against this backdrop, young people are not waiting on the sidelines. They are already shaping the future of work, designing solutions that respond to today’s labor market challenges while anticipating tomorrow’s opportunities. Across education and skills, entrepreneurship, and agriculture, youth innovators are leveraging digital technologies, new financing models, and locally grounded approaches to create pathways to decent work, productivity, and resilience. From reimagining skills development for the digital economy to building enterprises that connect innovation with livelihoods, young leaders are demonstrating how bold ideas can translate into real economic opportunity, even in the most challenging contexts.

Building on this momentum, the 2026 World Bank Group Youth Summit will serve as a global platform to elevate youth-driven solutions and connect ideas to action. By centering technology innovation, development financing, and fragile and conflict-affected settings as cross-cutting lenses, the Summit will foster collaboration among youth, governments, the private sector, and civil society to scale impact. In doing so, it aims to advance inclusive job creation and equip the next generation with the tools, networks, and resources needed to shape a more resilient and sustainable future of work.

The WBG Youth Summit is the World Bank Group’s premier event for young leaders worldwide. As a delegate, you will have the opportunity to engage with global development leaders, participate in high-level discussions, and contribute to shaping solutions to pressing global challenges. Delegates are emerging changemakers who are passionate about development issues and eager to collaborate with like-minded peers. We are looking for students, young professionals, and entrepreneurs with a passion for technology, development policy, youth employment and inclusive economic growth.

 

APPLY HERE NOW! - In person applications will be open until Wednesday March 11, 2026 11:59 PM EST (Washington, DC)

 

Components of the Delegate Track:

Delegates will actively participate in various components of the WBG Youth Summit, which include:

  • Keynote Addresses and Panel Discussions: Engage with world-renowned speakers, policymakers, and development experts on global challenges and innovative solutions.
  • Innovation Lab: Take part in hands-on, interactive workshops to co-create innovative solutions for real World Bank Group Projects (for in-person delegates only).
  • Interactive Q&A and Polling: Engage with speakers and panelists through live Q&A sessions and polls.
  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with professionals, World Bank Group representatives, private-sector partners and fellow young leaders from around the world.
  • Career Development Session: Get an opportunity to learn about different internships and programs that can launch your career in international development. Past presenters include colleagues from WBG, WB Treasury, IMF, UN, IDB, etc. 
  • Pitch Competition Final: Watch the Pitch Competition final live, where the top finalists showcase their groundbreaking youth-led initiatives and projects in a Shark Tank-style competition. Vote for the solution you think should win the Audience Choice Award. 

 

Perks of Being a Delegate

  • Be part of a prestigious global platform for youth-driven impact and innovation.
  • Gain insights from industry leaders, policymakers, and development professionals.
  • Expand your global network with like-minded individuals and experts.
  • Join a network of 10,000+ alumni coming from 170+ countries. All delegates receive an official certificate of participation.
  • Enhance your leadership, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in a dynamic and engaging environment.

By becoming a delegate, you will not only contribute to meaningful discussions but also gain valuable knowledge and connections to further your impact in the development space. Apply to be part of this transformative experience!

 

WORLD BANK GROUP YOUTH SUMMIT PITCH COMPETITION 2026

Welcome to the World Bank Group Youth Summit Pitch Competition 2026, a global opportunity for young innovators and entrepreneurs to showcase bold, impactful solutions to today’s most pressing development challenges.

Open to individuals and teams aged 18–35 from around the world, this event offers a unique platform to present your ideas to an international audience and accelerate your journey from concept to impact.

As a flagship initiative of the Youth Summit, the Pitch Competition highlights the power of youth-led entrepreneurship in driving job creation, inclusive growth, and sustainable development. Each year, the event brings together young change-makers, technical experts, and global leaders to explore how innovative ideas can translate into real-world solutions.

Thematic Focus

While the Pitch Competition welcomes ideas from all sectors and backgrounds, participants are encouraged to demonstrate how their solutions leverage entrepreneurship to contribute to the Summit’s broader mission of job creation, as well as advancing education and skills, and agriculture.

Projects may align with one or more of the Summit’s thematic areas, while also showcasing cross-cutting perspectives such as technology and innovation, Fragile and Conflict-Affected Countries (FCV), and financing strategies.

How to Apply

Detailed submission requirements, including the application form, pitch deck, and video pitch are outlined directly within the online submission form. Applicants are encouraged to carefully review all instructions before submitting to ensure compliance with competition criteria.

Applications will be accepted only in English.

Submission Deadline: March 11, 2026 – 11:59 PM (EST)

Application Link: https://www.f6s.com/world-bank-group-youth-summit-2026/apply

 

Why Participate?

The Pitch Competition is designed to provide young innovators with a structured, high-quality pitching experience on a global stage. Beyond the competition itself, participants gain valuable exposure to an international audience and the opportunity to sharpen how they present their ideas.

Finalists will receive pitching coaching and project feedback from World Bank and partner technical advisors, and will present their projects during the World Bank Group Youth Summit 2026 hosted at World Bank Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Winners will receive tailored mentoring from IFC experts, covering areas such as business modeling, market analysis, and context-specific feedback. Travel support may be provided for one representative per finalist team, subject to eligibility and visa requirements.

Key Dates

  • Applications Open: February 13, 2026
  • Application Deadline: March 11, 2026
  • Submissions review and interviews: March-April 2026
  • Final Pitch at the Youth Summit: June 11–12, 2026

Eligibility

  • Participants must be 18–35 years old throughout the event (born on or after 13 June 1990, and on or before 13 June 2008)
  • Open to individuals or teams of up to five members
  • All participants must be nationals of World Bank Group member countries
  • Solutions must demonstrate innovation, impact potential, and scalability

Questions?

For additional details on eligibility, evaluation criteria, and the selection process, find out more in the FAQ.

If you still have questions, please fill in this form here.

You can also contact us at youthsummit@worldbank.org with the subject line “WBG YS26 Pitch Competition”. Please note that we will not address project specific questions.

 

[Download] World Bank Group Youth Summit 2026 - Pitch Deck Template

[Download]World Bank Group Youth Summit Pitch Competition 2026 FAQ's

Manager                                              

  

Marco Fayet                                   

  

Deputy Manager 

  

Shrey Addagatla 

  
Senior Advisor   Raaga Akkineni  

Communications Co-Leads 

  

José Malbec 

Savanna Li 

  

Content Co-Leads 

  

Eskay Khanal 

Hannah Rosenthal 

  

Innovation Lab Co-Leads 

  

Apurva Goyal  

Samia Bouba 

  

Hackathon Lead 

  

Oumaima Makhlouk

  

Partnerships Co-Leads 

  

Alla Ivanov 

Nahla Ellithy 

  

Pitch Competition Co-Leads 

  

Juanita Santofimio  

Valeria Murillo   

  

Secretariat Co-Leads

  

Sabrina Ebengho 

Lesly Sandoval

  

Technology Lead 

  

Ani Popiashvili 

  

Regional Engagement Lead

  

 Hye Rean Yoo

  

Youth Engagement Lead

   Tiffany Xiang Verga  
Logistics Lead    Rebecca Ilunga   
Treasury    Hubaib Amin     

  Click here to learn more about the committee members 

CONTACT: Youth Summit Steering Committee

youthsummit@worldbank.org