Lead Solution Session: Skills development and the support networks needed to foster a young person’s economic success in a rapidly evolving modern economy are expensive. To help youth reach full and productive employment, we must continue to explore innovative and sustainable financing models for youth skill development and support networks. This session will present three proven, sustainable, and innovative financing models for youth workforce development in Ecuador, Ethiopia, and Rwanda that can be replicated to advance SDG 8 globally. Hosted by Palladium, with Alliance for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Chancen International

Lead Solution Session: A large and growing market for impact investment and other innovative mechanisms provides new sources of financing that can help address some of the systemic challenges faced by the world’s youth. In this session, we will hear from experts in structuring alternative financing mechanisms, such as social impact bonds and blended finance vehicles, along with a private enterprise. Each of these mechanisms were tested in the youth space and aim to sustainably address the youth unemployment crisis. Hosted by CRS

Lead Solution Session: Youth in the Western Balkans face high unemployment rates due to weak economic growth and the pandemic. Responding effectively requires understanding the local workforce system and designing innovative cost-effective solutions that local entities see the value in replicating. This session will describe lessons learned in designing and offering market oriented and inclusive training through pay-for-performance models as well as more effective career guidance provided through media outlets and career centers. Hosted by Helvetas, with betaPlan Coding Bootcamps Albania and Ministry of Labour and Social Policy North Macedonia

Associated Solution Session: A skills revolution is underway globally, shaped by the growth of new technologies, global economic integration and changes in the organization and location of work. These trends have been amplified and accelerated under COVID-19. Proactive workforce development is needed to support youth in developing the adaptability and resilience to navigate the pace of labor market changes, upskill and reskill as technology integration increases, and prevent deepening inequality between skilled and unskilled workers within and across nations. This session will explore the changing skills and competencies required by youth to navigate labor market changes and will highlight systems-level solutions that bridge the divide between skills development and the labor market while empowering youth to take control of their future. Moderator Nancy Chervin, International Technical Advisor, Education Development Center, Washington, DC Discussants Audrey Gah, Global Ops Program Manager, Amazon Web Services Digital Skills, Luxembourg School Teacher AWARE 3 (TBD) Sattiya Langkhapin, Chief of Party, AWARE 3, Education Development Center, Thailand Abir Rouhana, Student, American University of Science and Technology, Beirut, Lebanon

Associated Solutions Session: The jobs created by the energy transition are NOT where many expect. In fact, we’re at risk of preparing hundreds of thousands of young people for jobs that don’t exist, while other industries can’t find the talent they need to power this energy transition. In this session, you will hear from industry leaders about where the green jobs are, and what they look like. You’ll learn about a growing consensus across the range of industries involved in the energy transition: clean energy (solar and wind), electric vehicle production, the fourth industrial revolution (automation, remote sensing, networked production lines), and industrial energy efficiency (reducing the carbon emissions of industrial production by seeking efficiencies in energy use) around a core group of critical skills. Hosted by the International Youth Foundation (IYF)