Calling young changemakers: What are your ideas to transform transportation?

Transforming Transportation, the annual transport conference organized by the World Bank and the World Resources Institute, is back for its 21st edition! Set to take place in Washington, DC and online on March 19-20, the conference will bring together over 2,000 policymakers and practitioners from around the world. This year’s edition will focus on “Mobilizing Finance for Climate Action” —a key priority for transport given the sector’s growing carbon footprint and vulnerability to climate change. 

As we are getting ready for the new edition of Transforming Transportation, we are excited to announce the launch of our first Youth Transforming Transportation initiative. The initiative has one clear goal: encourage young changemakers from all over the world to take part in the sustainable transport conversation and provide them with a platform to share innovative solutions that will help unlock financing for greener, safer, resilient, and inclusive transport, especially in low- and middle-income countries. 

The initiative is geared toward young innovators aged 18-35 who are passionate about development and transport. This year, Transforming Transportation will feature young panelists in the likes of Crystal Asige, Senator of the Republic of Kenya and award-winning musician. 

To participate in the initiative, you must:

1. Register here to attend the conference. Attendance in person is free of charge but interested participants can join online if they’re unable to travel to Washington, D.C.
2. Attend all plenary sessions of the conference in person or stream them online. 
3. Draft a blog (800 words max.) showcasing your solution to unlock financing for greener, safer, inclusive, and more resilient mobility. The solution proposed needs to be innovative and scalable, with the potential for clear and measurable impacts. If the solution has a geographic focus, it should cover locations/countries/regions that are currently working with the World Bank.
4. Submit your blog. A link will be provided during the breakout session titled ‘Creating jobs through youth-led innovations in green mobility’ with additional instructions on how to submit your blog. This session is currently scheduled for March 20 from 2:30-3:30 p.m. ET. Submissions will be accepted until March 22, 2024, 5:00 p.m. ET.

Two submissions will be selected for publication on the World Bank Blog platform and a group of participants will be invited to a hybrid session with a senior transport expert at the World Bank to share their solutions and engage on the most pressing challenges in the transport sector.

At the World Bank, we believe young people can create real change, and we want to make sure their voices are heard. The youth initiative provides an opportunity do just that. We’re excited to hear your ideas and help transform transportation together!