The World Bank Group Youth Summit returns for its 12th edition, inviting young people to engage with the most urgent issues their generation faces, while bringing together thousands of participants from across the globe. This year, the summit will center on innovation in climate action, digital transformation, and the creative industries.
The Youth Summit is the World Bank Group’s largest annual event for youth (ages 18-35) worldwide. It will be held on May 19-20, 2025, featuring activities and engagements both at the World Bank Group headquarters in Washington DC and across various regions.
The WBG Youth Summit Pitch Competition is a flagship event of the WBG Youth Summit 2025: New Horizons: Youth-Led Innovation for a Sustainable World. This competition showcases the transformative power of youth-driven solutions in shaping a sustainable and inclusive future for all. It provides a global stage for young entrepreneurs, change-makers, and innovators to present their unique ideas and solutions to today’s most pressing development challenges.
Themes:
The 2025 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 “New Horizons: Youth-Led Innovation for a Sustainable World,” this year’s summit focuses on three transformative areas:
- Digital Transformation & Data: Discover how youth leverage technology, including AI and big data, to drive economic growth, bridge the digital divide, and create a future-ready labor market.
- Climate Action & Resilience: Explore innovative solutions for green technologies, smart cities, and sustainable agriculture, showcasing how young leaders can combat climate change while creating job opportunities.
- Creative Industries: Highlight the role of arts, media, and fashion in fostering employment, social and economic change, promoting sustainability, and preserving cultural heritage.
Eligibility
- All team members are between 18 – 35 years old, on the date of the application deadline.
- Each team member should be from one of the World Bank Group member countries.
- The solution should address at least one of the three thematic pillars (Data Driven Transformation, Climate Action & Resilience, Empowering Change through Creative Industries). Cross-thematic and scalable solutions across more than one pillar are also accepted for consideration.
- Applications must be received before January 26th, 2025, 11:59 pm EST.
Benefits
- Travel expenses, including lodging and a nominal stipend for up to three nights, will be covered for one representative per team. The representative is required to obtain a valid U.S. visa for their travel. Other team members can participate in the event through the virtual platform.
- They will also be offered an opportunity to pitch to potential investors, get tailored mentoring, and receive admission into the inaugural World Bank Group Youth Summit Alumni Network, as well as other virtual and in-person initiatives to elevate the finalists’ stories and solutions throughout the World Bank Group network.
Application TImeline:
Registration opens on December 18th, 2024
Submit your proposal (Deadline: January 26th, 2025, 11:59 pm EST)
Applicants and pitch decks will be evaluated by an expert committee. Shortlisted individuals/teams will be announced by early April and will proceed to the next stage.
Applications can be submitted in Arabic, English, French or Spanish, and you can use the pitch deck template (insert link to template) for guidance.
Pitch your idea at the Youth Summit (May 19th – 20th, 2025)
Finalists will join the 2025 World Bank Group Youth Summit hosted at the World Bank Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Travel expenses, including lodging and a nominal stipend for up to three nights, will be covered for one representative per team. The representative is required to obtain a valid U.S. visa for their travel. Other team members can participate in the event through the virtual platform.
Deadline: January 26th, 2025
Click HERE to Apply
