Attend the Fully Funded 13th World Bank Group Youth Summit 2026: Washington, D.C. (in-person) & Virtual

FutureWorks: Designing Jobs for the Digital Age

The World Bank Group Youth Summit 2026 is set to return for its 13th edition, bringing together young leaders, innovators, and changemakers from around the globe. Scheduled for June 11–12, 2026, the summit will take place in Washington, D.C., with both in-person and virtual participation options.

As the largest annual youth-focused event hosted by the World Bank Group, the summit provides a global platform for individuals aged 18–35 to address pressing development challenges and shape the future of work.

Event Details

• Date: June 11–12, 2026 (ET)
• Location: Washington, D.C. (in-person) & virtual
• Format: Hybrid event
• Edition: 13th Annual Youth Summit

Summit Theme: #FutureWorks

Under the theme “FutureWorks: Designing Jobs for the Digital Age,” the 2026 summit will focus on developing innovative, youth-driven solutions to global employment challenges.

The program centers on three transformative pillars:

• Education and Skills
• Entrepreneurship
• Agriculture

In addition, discussions will integrate three cross-cutting innovation lenses:

• Technology innovation
• Development financing
• Fragile and conflict-affected settings

The summit aims to amplify diverse voices, promote sustainable development, and strengthen collaborative networks that can scale impact globally.

Mission of the Youth Summit

The World Bank Group Youth Summit is designed to:

• Empower youth to explore innovative solutions to development challenges
• Equip young leaders with tools and knowledge to implement impactful projects
• Foster dialogue between youth, the World Bank Group, governments, private sector leaders, and civil society

Through keynote sessions, workshops, networking events, and a pitch competition, participants will engage directly with global stakeholders and policy influencers.

Why Youth Summit 2026 Matters

Global employment trends highlight the urgency of the summit’s theme. Over the next 10 to 15 years:

• An estimated 1.2 billion young people in emerging markets will reach working age
• These economies are expected to generate only 400 million jobs
• Nearly 800 million young people may face exclusion from the labor market

Marginalized groups — including women, ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities — are particularly at risk of being left behind.

Despite these challenges, young people are already shaping the future of work. Across sectors such as education, agriculture, and entrepreneurship, youth innovators are:

• Leveraging digital technologies
• Developing new financing models
• Creating locally grounded employment solutions
• Building enterprises that connect innovation with livelihoods

The Youth Summit recognizes this momentum and seeks to transform bold ideas into scalable, real-world impact.

What to Expect

Participants can anticipate:

• High-level discussions with global experts
• Interactive workshops and skill-building sessions
• A youth pitch competition
• Networking opportunities with development professionals
• Exposure to innovative financing and technology solutions

The hybrid format ensures that thousands of participants worldwide can join either in Washington, D.C., or virtually.

About the World Bank Group

The World Bank, together with institutions such as International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Development Association (IDA), International Finance Corporation (IFC), Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), works to reduce poverty and promote sustainable development worldwide.

Current data indicates that approximately 1 in 10 people globally live on less than $3.00 per day, underscoring the urgency of inclusive economic growth and job creation initiatives.

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Looking Ahead

The 2026 Youth Summit aims to elevate youth-driven innovation and foster partnerships that bridge ideas with action. By focusing on digital transformation, inclusive job creation, and resilience in fragile settings, the event seeks to equip the next generation with the tools, networks, and resources needed to shape a sustainable and inclusive global workforce.

Young leaders worldwide are encouraged to participate and contribute to redefining the future of work.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization that is offering this. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.