The Change-Makers: Empowering Youth for Inclusive Societies report offers a fresh look at how to meaningfully empower young people worldwide. Based on extensive global evidence and World Bank experience over two decades, the report shows that youth inclusion is about more than just jobs or education; it’s about ensuring young people have a voice and agency in shaping their communities.
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Access the Annexes document here
The report highlights three pillars for empowering youth: addressing specific barriers young people face, amplifying youth voice and agency, and fostering their potential to lead social and economic change.
Read the Executive Summary here
Findings also reveal that while young people confront unprecedented challenges — from limited job prospects to systemic exclusion based on gender, ethnicity, and disability status — they are also resilient leaders demanding more accountable societies. The report outlines practical recommendations, such as increasing funding for programs that support young women, promoting youth civic engagement to build social cohesion, and leveraging digital and AI-driven tools to expand opportunities for traditionally excluded youth.
Through real-world examples, the report emphasizes the need for tailored approaches that reach the most marginalized youth, moving beyond broad-based efforts to create a lasting, inclusive impact. Empowering youth as agents of change is not just beneficial but essential for building cohesive societies and driving sustainable development.