Call for Proposals has now closed. See you next year!
Call for Proposals
2024 Global YEO Summit
Presenting at the Global Youth Economic Opportunities (GYEO) Summit provides individuals and organizations with an opportunity to gain visibility, highlight expertise, expand networks, and deepen learning through exchange and collaboration. This overview provides important details on the process and review criteria for session proposals. Before submitting a proposal, please carefully read the information below (or download pdf) and then apply at the official submission form (access a pdf version for reference):
December 19: Call for Proposals opens.
March 11: Call for Proposals closes.
March 2- March 29: Global Advisory Committee reviews and selects proposals. You may receive clarification questions during this review process. We appreciate your prompt response.
April 1: Selected people/organizations/proposals are notified.
April 22: 2024 Summit Program is posted online and promoted globally.
April 30: Deadline for presenters to register for the 2024 Summit.
July: Participate in a session prep call with co-presenters and a Summit staff member.
July 15: Submit final edits to session title and description.
September 9-12: 2024 Global Youth Economic Opportunities Summit.
For 15 years, Making Cents International has convened the annual Global Youth Economic Opportunities (GYEO) Summit. The Summit is the flagship learning and evidence generation convening of the YEO 2030 initiative, anchored in the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8. GYEOS brings together more than 500 global stakeholders from 75+ countries each year to learn, advance evidence generation, share best practices and forge partnerships in the Youth Economic Opportunity (YEO) space. The GYEOS helps to inform the YEO 2030 initiative’s year-round activities and offers an annual benchmark for evidence and best practices. Our community uses the Summit to launch new initiatives and forecast changes in the youth economic opportunities landscape.
Making Cents will hold the 2024 GYEO Summit on September 9-12, 2024, in Washington D.C. The Summit will open with its Youth Leadership Accelerator program on September 9-10 focused on the capacity strengthening of young professionals and leaders, building their peer-to-peer networks and connections with adult allies.
The year 2024 will mark 6 years left to achieve the SDGs in a world where inequalities are accelerated and progress towards realizing the 2030 agenda is slow. Unemployment and under-employment, the climate crisis, and challenges to our democratic systems disproportionately impact young people’s social and economic mobility and wellbeing. Meaningful youth participation in the economy is increasingly difficult due to a myriad of factors that include lack of education, training, and entrepreneurial skills required to thrive in today’s job market. Despite these challenges, young people continue to demonstrate their resilience, determination, and innovation in creating economic opportunities to realize their livelihood needs and address the climate crisis. Youth leaders, youth economic opportunity practitioners, and funders are adapting their priorities to this changing landscape and considering how to build resilient systems to better address these youth economic participation challenges and advance climate action for the prosperity of people and the planet.
Summit Theme: YEO 2030: Youth Driving the Green Economy
As part of the 2024 Learning Agenda, the Summit will include an overarching “companion theme” that will deepen the Summit’s focus on a strategic topic that intersects with Youth Economic Opportunities. This companion theme will provide an opportunity for participants to advance evidence generation by teasing out key issues and challenges and sharing best practices and lessons learned through deep-dive sessions.
Recognizing the massive challenge that climate change presents to youth livelihoods and the ongoing need for more green jobs and green entrepreneurship opportunities for youth, the companion theme for 2024 is Youth Driving the Green Economy. Underneath that theme we will examine climate change, emerging programming and evidence around the just transition, circular economy/waste management, green entrepreneurship and green jobs, green skilling, climate finance, water security, ecosystem collaboration, and intergenerational advocacy. The Summit will include plenary and breakout sessions devoted to issues and subtopics related to climate and youth economic opportunities. Sessions will aim to equip GYEO participants with knowledge of effective program models for preparing youth to successfully navigate a job market impacted by climate change and take the lead on green entrepreneurship, evidence around which sectors are more viable for youth entrepreneurs, and examples of programs in climate financing, and climate advocacy.
Alongside the companion theme will be sessions that tackle other key issues impacting traditional youth economic opportunities programming such as AI and the digital economy, promoting resilience and mental health among youth, and promoting opportunities in key growth sectors. Together, these sessions will cover the most salient topics facing youth leaders and YEO practitioners globally.
Learning Agenda and Technical Tracks
The 2024 Summit will be structured around two technical tracks to advance learning and collaboration, elevate youth leadership and voice, and create an impact for stakeholders in the youth economic opportunities sectors. One track is focused on the companion theme of climate change, and one is focused on emerging best practices in the youth economic opportunities sectors more broadly.
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Climate Change Track: A significant proportion of the summit sessions will be focused on deep-dive sessions on climate change and youth economic opportunities. These sessions will examine emerging programming and evidence around the just transition, circular economy/waste management, green entrepreneurship and green jobs, green skilling, climate finance, ecosystem collaboration and intergenerational climate advocacy.
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Youth Economic Opportunities Track: These sessions will focus on emerging programming and evidence in economic opportunities programming more broadly. Sessions should highlight topics that intersect with youth economic opportunities including but not limited to financial inclusion, digital skills and artificial intelligence, youth mental health, gender, resilience and inclusion.
Cross-Cutting Topics
Cross-cutting topics to be addressed across both technical tracks at the Summit are sustainability, scale, systems
strengthening, localization, and inclusion.
The Summit is guided by a strategic learning agenda that supports the Summit’s two technical tracks to advance learning and foster stronger programming and innovation in the youth economic opportunities sector.
2024 Technical Tracks and Sample Topics
Track 1: Climate Change Track
In a rapidly changing global economy, this track is focused on how we can adequately equip young people with the skills, resources and tools to transition and thrive within the green economy through decent employment and entrepreneurship opportunities. This track will focus on five interrelated areas that are critical to advancing youth economic opportunities in the green economy: Green Skills for Youth Employment, Green Jobs, Youth-led Climate-Smart Agriculture, Green Finance and Entrepreneurship, and Youth-Led Climate Policy and Advocacy.
Illustrative Topics:
Green Skills for Youth Employment
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What are the high impact sectors in the green economy and what are specific skills youth need to be qualified for jobs in these sectors?
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What are the accessible pathways for “Opportunity Youth” to gain market-relevant skills for green jobs?
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How are government training providers reforming programs and curricula to offer green economy skills?
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How is the private sector investing in green skilling?
Green Jobs and Climate Smart Agriculture
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What are the best practices, models, and resources employed to help accelerate decent green jobs creation for youth?
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What government policies are needed to create an enabling environment for green jobs for youth and which countries are leading the way?
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How are programs or policies helping youth to mitigate the impacts of climate change in agriculture, tourism and other vulnerable sectors?
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How are youth capitalizing on new climate-focused opportunities within agriculture?
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What role can youth play in advancing new climate focused technologies and practices and their adoption?
Youth-led Green Entrepreneurship and Finance
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What are the viable green entrepreneurship opportunities for youth?
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What needs to change from less climate-friendly business models to fit the needs of green entrepreneurship models and support services?
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What are the best practices and scalable business models for youth-led enterprises within the waste management sector?
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What are specific country-/regional-level examples of programs or policies that bridge access to climate finance barriers for youth (including opportunity youth)?
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What are successful approaches to ensure green financing effectively facilitates a just transition?
Youth-Led Climate Policy and Advocacy
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What have been effective strategies for youth advocacy around climate policies to support access to green skills and jobs?
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What have we learned about the effectiveness of placed-based approaches in achieving policy change regarding youth employment and climate change?
Track 2: Youth Economic Opportunities Track
Within the context of the traditional priorities in the Economic Opportunities, sector such as entrepreneurship, employment, and financial inclusion, Track 2 examines timely topics that intersect with Youth Economic Opportunities, including but not limited to Digital Economy, Resilience, or Growth Sector Strategies for Youth.
Illustrative Topics:
Digital Economy
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What are the latest ways AI and technology changes are impacting job markets for youth?
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How is AI being used to help youth access skills and job information?
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How are fintechs, e-commerce and other digital platforms expanding access to business opportunities and finance for youth?
Resilience
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What are promising practices for strengthening youth’s access to livelihoods in changing and fragile environments (e.g., gang violence, violent extremism, war & armed conflict, displacement)?
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What are effective strategies and tools for marginalized youth (young women, refugees, migrants, and/or youth with disabilities) dealing with trauma, while also supporting learning, reskilling, and economic opportunities?
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How can programs that work with youth (including youth engaging in remote work opportunities) integrate mental health components where youth have the agency to opt in or opt out?
Growth Sector Strategies for Youth
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Amidst fluctuating economic conditions, what are the latest sectors that offer opportunity youth pathways to stable livelihoods in the Global South?
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How is the private sector investing in skilling for growth sector jobs?
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What are we learning about the care economy and the supportive services or policies needed for young women to start a business or find work in this sector?
Cross-Cutting Issues
Sessions may also present emerging evidence or promising practices around cross-cutting topics relevant to the two technical tracks such as inclusion, localization, sustainability, scale, or systems strengthening.
Illustrative Topics:
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What are promising models for increasing economic opportunities for young women in closed societies?
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What are emerging approaches to enhance localization efforts and change the power dynamics in international youth economic opportunities programming and systems?
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What kind of support do local youth-led and youth-serving organizations from marginalized populations need to be involved in the localization movement?
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What have we learned are critical elements of sustainable workforce development programs?
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What are promising examples of government-led programs and policies to support increased youth employment and youth-led enterprises?
Breakout session proposals are reviewed by Making Cents International and our Global Advisory Committee, which comprises youth and economic development experts from a range of partner organizations.
Proposals are reviewed and scored based on the following criteria:
Relevance to Summit Theme and Cross-Cutting Topics (20%)
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Does the session address either the Summit’s companion theme on climate change or a timely topic that intersects with Youth Economic Opportunities including but not limited to, financial inclusion, youth mental health, digital economy, gender, resilience, and inclusion?
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Does the session address at least one of the key cross-cutting themes such as sustainability, strengthening systems, localized approaches and or scale?
Session Content (35%)
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Does the session deliver new, evidence-based information?
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Does the session impart tools or information that can strengthen existing practice and advance the conversation on a given topic or area?
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Will participants walk away with tangible information that can be applied to their programming, policymaking, or partnerships?
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Will the audience be challenged by the content? Will it prompt discussion?
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Does the session content include strategies for how youth are engaged in the project (e.g., advising and decision-making, youth-led research, program design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and learning)/discuss implications for youth?
Session Format (25%)
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Is the proposed session format participatory, interactive, and engaging? Sessions that incorporate high levels of participation and non-traditional formats i.e., Demo workshops, World Café, group problem solving, 20 questions, Ted-x style are scored favorably. We strongly suggest avoiding traditional lecture-style and panel presentations.
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Does the session offer a deep dive into content rather than a general overview?
Quality and Diversity of Presenters (20%)
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Are presenters well-suited to present on their selected topic?
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Do presenters offer:
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A range of stakeholder viewpoints (implementers, funders, researchers, youth, etc.)
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More than one organization, with each bringing different perspectives to the conversation (e.g., INGO, LNGO, corporate, government, etc.)
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Geographical diversity (global representation from different regions)
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Gender balance
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Global South perspective
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A proportion of panelists should be youth who can provide first-hand perspectives from their experiences with the project (as participants or partners)
Session Options
The 2024 Summit will include both training sessions (2 hours) and traditional breakout sessions (45, 60 or 90 minutes long).
Submitters can submit a proposal for:
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Training session and a breakout session - complete the training session option form and the full breakout session form on the call for proposals application form.
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Training session - complete the training session option form on the call for proposals application form.
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Breakout session - skip the training session option form on the call for proposals application form and proceed to the breakout session form.
Training sessions should develop the capacity of Summit attendees in a specific skill or tool. The training should be relevant and engaging for practitioners and youth advancing youth economic opportunities and with an understanding of climate change/green economy. Past Summit training sessions have explored human centered design, positive youth development, and youth workforce development, among others.
To be considered, training session proposals must meet the following requirements:
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Able to accommodate at least 50 participants.
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Can be implemented in the Summit venue - presenters must supply necessary tools outside of regular presentation materials (laptop, projector, flip chart, markers).
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Any tools introduced should be open source and available for participants to use on their own at no or low cost.
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Training should be hands-on and give participants ample time to engage with and apply the tool or skill of focus.
Breakout sessions must be engaging and participatory objectives of the session, i.e., Evidence sharing, problem solving or showcasing emerging innovations. To support this, submitters are asked to select from one of the session types below OR propose a new and engaging format:
Evidence Sharing
Roundtable Session
During this type of session, presenters will have the chance to highlight a tool or new research to a group of participants. Presenters are encouraged to highlight their tool/research for 5-10 minutes before facilitating a 35–40-minute roundtable discussion on creative ways to implement each tool and/or research finding. Participants are especially looking for open-source material.
TEDx Style Session
Each session should have no more than three presenters, and each TED Talk should last between 5-10 minutes. This requires the speaker to get focused on the underlying message they want to convey and to deliver that message in a compelling manner.
A moderator should briefly introduce an over-arching theme that will tie in with the stories of all speakers. The presentation is followed by an interactive discussion, where audience members are given the opportunity to comment and ask questions. This will ensure a connection between the ideas being presented and learning and applying them.
Also remember these general principles: speak of failures and successes, communicate your vision, do not sell from the stage, and do not read your speech.
Problem Solving
Group Problem Solving Workshop
Real-time group problem solving and discussion around a specific problem faced by a program (e.g., going to scale, sustainability, barriers to implementation and/or reach). Presenters will have 20 – 30 minutes to 1) describe the problem and 2) describe what solutions have been tried to address the problem. The session would be structured to engage participants in discussion and generating real-time recommendations for a way forward. These sessions are designed to enable collaborative, creative group problem solving. The outcomes of the session may be shared with participants.
World Café
World Café is a structured conversational process that encourages participants to share their ideas and thoughts on a particular topic or problem. During this session, participants explore a particular topic by discussing it in small table groups. Discussions may be held in small table groups through multiple rounds of 15-20 minutes each. This allows participants to move from table to table, discussing the topic with diverse groups. Summary of participants’ input and emerging recommendations are captured at end of session.
20 Questions
This format is a great way to engage an audience in assessing the obstacles of a specific topic. First, the topic is presented and should include the main objectives, components, and a review of the intervention’s results. This should take no more than 10 minutes. The audience begins with a 20 – 25-minute window to ask a variety of questions (20 max) on the topic to form a better picture of what worked and what did not. For example: “Why was XYZ not successful/effective?” and “What did you do to try to ensure the sustainability and growth of the project?”
The audience is then asked to split into groups of 4-5 to discuss what they would have done differently. After 15 minutes each group reports out to the others, and all answers are recorded by someone at the front. Presenters then wrap up the session by reviewing their thoughts on each of the audience's ideas.
Think Tank Workshop
A forum for presenter(s) to move forward on a central question, draft paper, or project by receiving constructive suggestions from attendees. The session should start by identifying what they expect the result to be and then let the guided conversation and discussion get them to this result. This session type requires an experienced facilitator to ensure the conversation moves forward productively.
Showcasing Emerging Innovations
TEDx Style Session
Each session should have no more than three presenters, and each TED Talk should last between 5-10 minutes. This requires the speaker to get focused on the underlying message they want to convey and to deliver that message in a compelling manner.
A moderator should briefly introduce an over-arching theme that will tie in with the stories of all speakers. The presentation is followed by an interactive discussion, where audience members are given the opportunity to comment and ask questions. This will ensure a connection between the ideas being presented and learning and applying them.
Also remember these general principles: speak of failures and successes, communicate your vision, do not sell from the stage, and do not read your speech.
Demo Workshops
These workshops allow for demonstrating a new tool or innovation in a participatory way. As part of the workshop agenda, activities such as group discussions, role-playing exercises and hands on exercises are included to enhance input and participation from attendees.
Cost of Participation
The Summit is organized on a not-for-profit basis. Presenters are asked to “co-invest” in this event and pay the required registration fee. This amount represents half of the actual cost of participating. Summit organizers raise funds throughout the year to subsidize the cost to participants.
2024 Registration Fees:
Summit Registration:
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Early Registration (before April 30, 2024): $895
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Regular Registration (May 1- July 31, 2024): $995
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Late Registration (After July 31, 2024): $1095
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Youth Leadership Accelerator and Summit Registration (for participants 35 years and younger only. Provides access to the youth leadership accelerator program and GYEO Summit. Youth will benefit from capacity strengthening workshops, networking circles and fora with key donors and partners, and peer to peer mentorship with their fellow youth leaders through the accelerator. The Accelerator will also ensure youth leaders maximize their experience at the Summit advancing their work through networking and building partnerships with relevant stakeholders): $1000.
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Young Professional Registration (for participants 35 years and younger only): $895
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Low- and Middle-Income Country Registration (for participants traveling to the Summit from Africa, Latin America, and South Asia and Southeast Asia only): $695
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Group Registration for organizations who send in delegations of at least six or more staff; they will receive a 10 percent discount on their registration fees.
If your session is selected, all speakers agree to register and pay the required Early Registration fee by April 30, 2024.
Additional items to note:
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Each speaker’s bio and headshot must be included in your submission before your proposal is considered complete.
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The guidelines provided in this form do not guarantee a proposal will be accepted but following them ensures your proposal will be considered.
Summit Organizers Do Not Provide:
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Hotel or travel expenses for speakers.
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Free or discounted registration.
By submitting a proposal for the 2024 Global Youth Economic Opportunities Summit, you agree to the terms of these Presenter Policies. Making Cents reserves the right to withdraw its selection of any proposal that does not comply with these policies:
Summit Registration: All presenters are required to register by April 30th. The early registration rate (expires April 30) for the 2024 Summit is $895. Please note that there is a discounted rate for young professionals and developing country participants.
Summit attendees and speakers are required to pay a registration fee. GYEO Summit organizers raise sponsorship dollars throughout the year to subsidize the actual cost of participation by nearly 50 percent. Doing so enables us to keep registration fees low and encourage participation from a wide range of participants from around the world. The GYEO Summit operates on a demand-driven, cost-recovery and sustainable basis, thanks to the hundreds of organizations and individuals who contribute financial and in-kind resources to the event each year. This approach of “co-investment” has allowed the Summit to be continually operated and to make a significant contribution to building the field of youth economic inclusion. It allows individuals to benchmark progress, share and gain new knowledge and have an annual meeting point to form new and deepen existing partnerships.
Unconfirmed Presenters: Session presenters who have not been confirmed, registered, and paid their registration fee by April 30, 2024, risk exclusion from the Summit program, and their session may be replaced by another.
Main Contact Person: One person must be designated as the main point of contact for each session. The main contact will be sent to all communications regarding the selected proposal and session. S/he will also be responsible for ensuring compliance with these policies, and that all other co-presenters are aware of, and comply with these policies, including deadlines.
Session Duration and Scheduling: Making Cents will determine the final scheduling of all sessions. By confirming your proposal’s final selection, you agree to be available for all times designed for breakout sessions during the Summit.
Moderators: Summit organizers may assign a moderator for your session. Moderators are encouraged to ask tough questions and pull out the most important learning for the audience.
Workshop Content: If you are the main contact person, you assume full responsibility for ensuring the design of the workshop, the coordination of all session presenters (if applicable), and the session delivery. You must also ensure that the session methodology reflects that which you specified in your proposal submission, with such refinements to the content as may be advised by the Global Youth Economic Opportunities Summit organizers.
Summit Orientation and Session Guidance: Confirmed presenters are required to participate in at least one call prior to the Summit to discuss the accepted workshop. To allow time for this, an outline of the session (including any video or draft PPT presentations, handouts, etc.) must be finalized and submitted electronically to summit@makingcents.com by July 31, 2024.
Visual Representations and Handouts: Presenters are responsible for bringing their presentation materials as well as copies of any handouts needed for their session. The Summit organizers will not be able to photocopy documents for presenters before or during the event.
Final soft copies of presentations and handouts will be uploaded to the Summit website after the event.
A/V, Room Set-Up, and Other Session Material: Each session room will be equipped with microphones, a screen, laptop, and projector. Internet access is also available. Presenters will be responsible for bringing all the other audio-visual equipment they require. If you have any room set-up needs, please email to summit@makingcents.com by August 5, 2024. If you do not inform Making Cents of your preference before that time, we cannot guarantee your preferred room set-up.
At the Summit: Upon arrival at the Summit, presenters must check in at the Summit Registration desk. If you are not staying for the entire event, we ask that you please arrive at least 60 minutes before the start of the program. Workshop presenters must also (i) prepare their session’s room during the break that precedes their session, or earlier if possible; and (ii) distribute and collect their workshop material. Any items left in the room will be removed by staff at the end of the day. Please take all materials you wish to keep with you when you leave your session. Summit organizers will not be held responsible for items missing from your workshop room.