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.
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. This year’s summit focuses on three transformative areas:
- Education and Skills
- Entrepreneurship
- 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.
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World Bank Training
Aim and Benefits of World Bank Training
- 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.
Requirements for World Bank Training Qualification
- 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
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.
Application Deadline
March 11, 2026How 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.
Enquiries:
[Download] World Bank Group Youth Summit 2026 - Pitch Deck Template
[Download]World Bank Group Youth Summit Pitch Competition 2026 FAQ's
For more information, kindly visit World Bank Youth Summit webpage.
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