World Bank Group Youth Summit Pitch Competition 2025

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Applications are open for World Bank Group Youth Summit Pitch Competition 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.

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 World Bank Group Youth Summit 2025 Pitch Competition is an exciting opportunity for young change-makers to showcase their innovative solutions addressing global challenges. Open to individuals aged 18-35 worldwide, this competition provides a dynamic platform for presenting your ideas to an international audience and gaining momentum for your innovations.

The Pitch Competition, a flagship event of the WBG Youth Summit, 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.

World Bank Group Youth Summit Pitch Competition Theme

We encourage submissions from diverse backgrounds and focus areas with a special interest in addressing the following themes:

Theme: New Horizons: Youth-Led Innovation for a Sustainable and Equitable World

Pillar 1: Data Driven Transformation
Pillar 2: Climate Action & Resilience
Pillar 3: Empowering Change through Creative Industries

World Bank Group Youth Summit Pitch Competition Benefits

Finalists will join the 2024 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.
Finalists will have the chance to connect with experts engaged in global problem-solving in the impact space, including both public and private sector leaders across the social, environmental, and economic inclusion landscapes.
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.
Semi-finalists who do not proceed to the final pitch competition will have the opportunity to virtually present their ideas during the lightning rounds at the Youth Summit.

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.
Applications must be received before January 26th, 2025, 11:59 pm EST.