Deadline: January 26, 2025.

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.

THEME

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Creative Industries: Highlight the role of arts, media, and fashion in fostering employment, social and economic change, promoting sustainability, and preserving cultural heritage.

When discussing these subthemes, the Summit will focus on three fresh perspectives on innovation: Underserved populations, Fragility, Conflict, and Violence (FCV), and Partnerships. By spotlighting these areas, the event aims at amplifying diverse voices, fostering innovation for sustainable development, and building collaborative networks to scale impact globally.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

• 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. 

BENEFITS

1. The six finalists selected after the interview round will join the hybrid WBG Youth Summit 2024
   at the WBG Headquarters in Washington D.C.
2. Travel expenses, including lodging and a nominal stipend for up to three nights, may be covered for up to one representative from each team.
3. Other team members will be able to participate through the virtual platform.

Find more information on the OFFICIAL LINK