Global Shapers Impact Report 2025

Empowerment mechanisms TABLE 6 Strategy Implementation Leadership developmentBuilding leadership skills is essential for young people as they work to ignite social change worldwide. In 2023-2024, the Global Shapers Community empowered 1,226 young changemakers with hands-on learning experiences focused on building effective teams, mobilizing stakeholders and driving collective action. Participants reported significant growth in areas such as self-awareness, confidence and teamwork. Focusing on equipping local organizers nurtures collaborative leaders who, in turn, foster change and build movements within their communities. Next steps: There is strong demand for further development in critical skills such as measuring impact, influencing decision-makers, and creating systems change. Organizations that offer tailored, accessible and practical learning, mentorship and coaching opportunities can empower young leaders with these advanced skills, enabling them to drive change across diverse settings. Economic empowermentA future where young people thrive hinges on creating meaningful economic opportunities aligned with their ambitions. In 2023-2024, the Global Shapers Community accelerated its partnership with the Global Alliance for YOUth, a business-driven movement which has generated 40 million economic opportunities for young people worldwide over the past decade. This year, the Global Shapers Community connected 25 partner companies and 64 young changemakers to shape corporate strategies that enhance entry-level experiences, cultivate empowering workplaces, and support aspiring entrepreneurs. Next steps: Despite these successes, unequal access and rising inequalities remain pressing barriers to universal youth employment. Companies must take the lead by offering equitable opportunities that provide fair pay, job security, legal protections and a sense of purpose. Young people call on companies across sectors to unite efforts and drive bold solutions for sustainable youth employment. Seat at the table True empowerment demands that young people have genuine opportunities to influence decisions and shape solutions. In 2023-2024, the Global Shapers Community engaged 216 young leaders in high-level decision-making spaces at the World Economic Forum and beyond, with 72 of these changemakers taking on influential speaking roles or having their insights amplified in international media. To ensure diverse and inclusive representation, participation was fully funded, and young participants received capacity-building support before, during, and after multilateral convenings, to move engagement from mere consultation to meaningful collaboration. Next steps: All international organizations have a role to play in advancing young people’s participation in decision- making at all levels. This means moving beyond tokenism to genuine engagement, enhancing diversity and preparedness among young experts. By investing in meaningful youth participation, it is possible to strengthen decision-making and build trust in public institutions at a time when the stakes are higher than ever for people and planet. Intergenerational dialogueMeaningful youth engagement is strengthened through direct interactions with leaders and decision-makers. In 2023-2024, the Global Shapers Community facilitated six intergenerational dialogues involving 112 young experts alongside 47 business leaders and heads of state to advance corporate strategies and public policies to address systemic challenges, such as institutional trust and climate change. These exchanges connected young changemakers with the Forum’s CEO Climate Leaders, Indigenous Leaders and Faith Leaders, as well as coalitions of Sustainability Officers, Diversity Officers, and Human Resources Officers. Next steps: Organizations should prioritize intergenerational exchange as a means to leverage diverse perspectives and drive systemic change. These dialogues foster mentorship, create pathways for professional growth, and serve as powerful catalysts for reimagining corporate strategies and public policies. By bridging generational divides, such exchanges help to overcome stereotypes, build solidarity, and enrich organizational and societal cohesion. Collaborative action Beyond meetings, young people should be meaningfully integrated into the core operations and strategies of organizations. In 2023-2024, the Global Shapers Community embedded 113 young experts into the World Economic Forum’s core centres and initiatives, such as Earth Decides, The Global Risks Initiative, The Edison Alliance and The Reskilling Revolution. By collaborating on councils, advisory bodies and public-private partnerships, young leaders engage with influential leaders to shape global, regional and industry agendas. Next steps: Organizations and businesses should integrate young leaders and experts into their core decision- making bodies and initiatives. By embedding young perspectives, they empower the next generation to actively shape policies and solutions addressing urgent challenges. This approach shifts young people from the periphery into roles of meaningful influence and action. Investment and fundingInvesting in youth-led initiatives empowers young changemakers to tackle urgent social, economic and environmental challenges. In 2023-2024, the Global Shapers Community distributed over 250,000 CHF in funding to 42 youth-led initiatives worldwide. This support came through the Innovation Prize – led by Accenture and the Global Alliance for YOUth – as well as the Climate Incubator and Grant Challenge hosted in collaboration with The Climate Reality Project and late philanthropist Rosamund Zander. Next steps: Young people call on organizations, philanthropists and funders to continue to commit resources to youth-led projects, as these investments are crucial for fostering innovation, empowering the next generation, and enabling youth-driven solutions to thrive. When young people are supported, this report demonstrates that they not only transform their own futures but also build stronger, more resilient communities that benefit society at large. Global Shapers Impact Report 28