World Bank Youth Summit 2026: A Global Opportunity for Young Innovators
The World Bank Group Youth Summit 2026 is set to return for its 13th edition, bringing together young leaders, innovators, and changemakers from across the world to tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing this generation.
Scheduled for June 11–12, 2026, the summit will take place in a hybrid format—both in Washington, D.C. and online—making it accessible to participants globally.
Theme: FutureWorks – Designing Jobs for the Digital Age
This year’s theme, “FutureWorks: Designing Jobs for the Digital Age,” focuses on how young people can shape the future of work through innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship.
The summit will explore three key areas:
- Jobs
- Education and Skills
- Entrepreneurship
It will also highlight cross-cutting themes such as technology innovation, development financing, and fragile settings, ensuring diverse and inclusive perspectives.
Why This Matters
Over the next decade, an estimated 1.2 billion young people in emerging markets will enter the workforce, but only 400 million jobs are expected to be created. This leaves a massive gap, putting millions of young people at risk of unemployment.
The Youth Summit provides a platform for young people to:
- Share innovative solutions
- Gain global exposure
- Connect with policymakers, investors, and development leaders
- Contribute to shaping the future of work
Opportunities at the Summit
Participants can engage in several exciting activities, including:
- Pitch Competition
- Hackathon
- Innovation Lab
- Panel discussions and networking sessions
These opportunities allow young people to turn ideas into impactful solutions and gain visibility on a global stage.
Who Should Participate?
The summit is open to young people aged 18–35 from around the world, especially:
- Entrepreneurs
- Students and graduates
- Innovators and problem-solvers
- Individuals working on solutions in jobs, education, agriculture, and technology
How to Apply
Applications are currently open.
Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScPHBBaYX8plrcX3pjR-BiLdmJt8OO8U5x1VQj511Tqs9_Jxw/viewform
Final Thoughts
The World Bank Youth Summit 2026 is more than just an event—it is a global platform for young people to showcase ideas, build networks, and drive real impact.
If you are working on a solution or have an idea that can shape the future of work, this is an opportunity worth exploring.