The World Bank Group Youth Summit is the institution’s largest annual event for young people aged 18–35 worldwide, held in a hybrid format at World Bank Group headquarters in Washington, DC and across its regions. Each edition gathers thousands of students, young professionals, and entrepreneurs around a rotating development theme — the 13th edition (11–12 June 2026) ran under “#FutureWorks: Designing Jobs for the Digital Age”, focused on jobs, education and skills, and entrepreneurship. Beyond the main sessions, the Summit runs several competitive tracks: a flagship Pitch Competition where youth-led ventures pitch development solutions Shark-Tank-style before a jury, a virtual hackathon, and an in-person Innovation Lab for selected delegates. Participants join an alumni network of more than 10,000 people from over 170 countries and receive an official certificate of participation.
Benefits & funding
- Participation is free of charge; virtual attendance opens the Summit to a global audience.
- Pitch Competition finalist teams present in person at World Bank Group headquarters; travel support — including lodging and a nominal stipend — may be provided for one representative per finalist team, subject to eligibility and availability. Other team members join virtually.
- Pitch Competition winners (a Jury’s Choice award per project-stage category and an Audience’s Choice award chosen by delegates) receive a diploma certificate and trophy, recognition through World Bank Group channels, mentorship from partner institutions and IFC experts, and continued engagement through Youth Summit networks.
- Hackathon teams selected from the virtual event are invited to present in person during the Summit.
- All delegates receive an official certificate of participation and access to the 10,000+ member alumni network.
- The World Bank Group may issue a visa support letter for finalists, but participants arrange their own U.S. visas.
Eligibility
- Open to young people aged 18–35; the Summit welcomes students, early-stage entrepreneurs, working professionals, and others interested in development.
- Pitch Competition: individuals or teams of up to five members, aged 18–35 at the time of application, who are nationals of World Bank Group member countries (the membership spans nearly every country).
- Projects must be at the ideation or early-venture stage; a registered company or nonprofit is not required, and solutions need not be technology-based.
- Applications are accepted in English only.
- Current World Bank Group staff, consultants, and interns are not eligible for the Pitch Competition.
Can you apply?
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Age requirement
18–35 yrs
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Application process
- 1Watch the Youth Summit hub for the next edition’s calls (pitch competition, hackathon, and delegate registration open separately).
- 2For the Pitch Competition, submit through the official F6S platform: a completed application form, a 1-minute video pitch (unlisted YouTube link), and a pitch deck in PDF using the mandatory official template.
- 3Applications pass through pre-screening, shortlisting (video and deck review), and live interviews for selected teams.
- 4Finalist teams refine their materials and pitch in person at the Summit in Washington, DC, where jury and audience awards are decided.
Program timeline
Early 2026
2026 Pitch Competition call opened (13th edition).
Pitch Competition application deadline, 11:59 PM EST (passed).
Mar 11, 2026
Hackathon application deadline (passed).
Apr 17, 2026
Virtual hackathon.
Apr 25, 2026 – Apr 26, 2026
Youth Summit at World Bank Group headquarters, Washington, DC (hybrid).
Jun 11, 2026 – Jun 12, 2026
The 14th edition’s calls are expected in early 2027; dates are not yet published.