Once again, this year, the World Bank Group (WBG) Youth Summit will feature an action-based learning component through the Case challenge competition on the theme "From the Ground Up: local solutions to drive global impact" (the “Case Challenge”). The Case Challenge is an integrated part of the WBG Youth Summit taking place on May 25-26, 2023.
The Case Challenge collaborative element is an essential part of the 2023 WBG Youth Summit on the promotion of efficient local solutions contributing to global development, with a vision for fostering an environment of belonging and increasing engagement between all delegates, the WBG and the facilitators.
Over the course of the 2023 Summit, all delegates will participate to the case challenge in-person, and they will gain real time experience in a team-based, simulated scenario identifying key challenges and opportunities in the development of local solutions for an equitable growth. Through facilitated working sessions led by leading development practitioners, the participants will work with their peers to develop and present their solutions. The Case Challenge will provide a unique opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, problem-solving skills, and creativity while co-creating and networking with peers and experts in the field.
Participants are divided into groups to form high-performing case teams. Teams are tasked with devising a proposed solution to the given case prompt within an allotted time and present their solutions to a panel comprised of WBG senior leads and partners. With such an eclectic array of experiences and skills within every group, individuals will enhance their own communication and teamwork skills.
Read through the FAQ below to get more information on the Case challenge on local solutions to drive global impact or apply here.
What is the “Local solutions to drive global impact” Case Challenge?
The Case Challenge is an opportunity for selected delegates to develop local solutions tackling the main challenges faced by their communities and which implementation can contribute to a global impact. Through the cases studied, delegates will think of innovative ways to tackle these issues and implement their solutions. During the Case Challenge, participants will explore which localized solutions can address the following development challenges: (i) fragility, conflict, and violence, (ii) jobs and skills as well as (iii) climate and energy, and have a global impact.
What is the difference between the Case Challenge and the WBG Youth Summit Competition?
The Case Challenge is a foundational action-based learning component of this year’s Youth Summit, fully integrated into the two-day summit. This year, the format on the Case Challenge will be 100% in-person. All delegates attending the 2023 WBG Youth Summit in person will participate in the Case Challenge. No prior experience is required.
The WBG Youth Summit Competition is an annual competition that runs concurrent to the Youth Summit and will capstone the Summit this year. Ahead of the Summit, young professionals from all over the world are invited to propose innovative, action-oriented business-level or policy-level solutions that illustrate how the youth can play a part in promoting local solutions for a global impact. A jury of experts will pre-select the most compelling proposals based on three-pillars and invite their authors (individuals or teams) to pitch them during the live competition. Winners will be designated by votes from the jury and members of the audience.
What kind of work is done on the cases?
The cases are real WBG projects designed to encourage teams to provide local solutions which can enhance global development by tackling challenges faced in their communities regarding (i) fragility, conflict, violence, (ii) employment and skills development and (iii) the climate crisis. Delegates are meant to analyze the case using guidance from the facilitators and frameworks, to address the problem at hand.
Who will take part in the Case Challenge?
All 350-500 delegates selected to attend the 2023 World Bank Group Summit in Washington DC at the WBG headquarters will participate the Case Challenge. The delegates will be split into 7 regional groups and will work in teams of approximatively 10 people to solve a challenge.
Is any previous case experience required?
No prior business or case experience is necessary. This is meant to be a fun and learning experience. Facilitators will guide delegates through the steps of the case.
Who designs/gives the case?
The cases are provided by the WBG Youth Summit organizers and have been designed with the help of experts within and outside the WBG.
Who is facilitating the Case Challenge?
Facilitators are young and experienced professionals with credible knowledge in youth empowerment, the implementation of local solutions to the environmental crisis, fragility, and unemployment. They will guide the participants through the different steps of the Case Challenge.
When and where is the Case Challenge going to be held?
The Case Challenge is fully integrated into the Youth Summit so that participants can be inspired by the discussions they attend during the panel sessions on the global impact of local development strategies and apply their learnings to the Case Challenge. This year’s Case Challenge section will be 100% in-person at the WBG HQ in Washington D.C.
Is there a participation fee?
No.
Do participants have to apply individually or as a part of a team?
All participants selected to attend the 2023 WBG Youth Summit will participate in the Case Challenge. All teams are formed randomly. One of the goals of this competition is to test the effectiveness of the delegates’ communication and team–work skills when teamed up with people they have not known previously.
What do participants, get out of this?
• Participants will have the opportunity to get a hands-on experience of the work conducted at the WBG by working on cases based on real WBG projects.
• The global winner of the case challenge will have the chance to write a blog to be published on a WBG page.
• Participants will have the opportunity to experience the challenges of tackling a development case under the mentorship of professionals in this area.
• Participants will have the opportunity to apply knowledge gained during the plenary sessions and apply them directly, to learn in a more interactive way on the global impact of localized solutions to development challenges across communities and regions.
• Participants will have the opportunity to network with professionals and team members and to learn more about opportunities for future collaboration.
• Following deliberations of the panel of experts, one team will be offered the opportunity to meet and discuss with the expert team (to be confirmed) and receive a symbolic prize.
