Here is everything you need to know this month!
Community Updates
1. Monthly Show: Strategic Goals for 2026
The February episode of the Global Shapers Show, on 16 February at 15:00 CET, will focus on the strategic priorities of the Global Shapers Community for the year ahead. This is your opportunity to hear directly from Natalie Pierce, Head of the Global Shapers Community, as she outlines our collective goals in this pivotal 15th year of the community. She will reflect on our shared story and highlight the expectations in the year ahead. Join this special live episode to ensure your Hub is aligned with the broader community direction.
2. Curatorship Elections 2026-2027
All Hubs are required to elect a new Curator, Vice-Curator, and Impact Officer by 1 March 2026. Newly elected leaders will begin their mandates on 1 July 2026. To ensure your Hub runs a smooth and successful election process, please review the Curatorship Elections and watch the recording of the Elections Session hosted by HQ in December. Please note that Hubs that do not submit their election results by the deadline will be flagged for closure in 2026. If you haven't yet, join the next Open House Session #03 on 10 February, 14:00 CET, to raise concerns and ask specific questions about elections.
3. Youth Pulse 2026 and its Uptake
Youth Pulse 2026, the World Economic Forum's flagship report is out now! Going forward, this report will be foundational in shaping the initiatives of the Global Shapers Community. We invite every Hub to read the report to inform your next Hub activity. Help us disseminate the report and its findings! Share your biggest takeaway on LinkedIn!
4. LinkedIn Newsletter
Issue 7 of Generation Now, our LinkedIn Newsletter, is out now! From what happened in Davos to a whole new list of youth opportunities with upcoming deadlines, we've covered it all.
World Economic Forum Events
4. World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026
The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 took place last month in Davos, Switzerland under the theme A Spirit of Dialogue. Below are some highlights:
- Global Shapers on their Davos experience
- Next Generation Social Movements session on rebuilding trust
- Intergenerational dialogue on leveraging youth talent for better business outcomes
5. Global Collaboration and Growth Meeting 2026
The World Economic Forum’s Global Collaboration and Growth Meeting, taking place from 22–23 April 2026 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, will convene over 1,000 leaders from government, business, civil society, and academia with a focus on building common ground, reviving growth, and transforming industry through innovation. Apply by Sunday, 15 February at 23:59 CET to bring youth perspectives to this high-level global dialogue.
Impact Opportunities
6. Join the Equal Air Collaborative
Air pollution is the fourth leading risk factor for early death worldwide and young people bear an outsized share of this burden. In partnership with the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Clean Air and the Centre for Nature and Climate, we are launching a new campaign Equal Air Collaborative. This initiative offers young changemakers the opportunity to work alongside global experts to assess their city’s readiness to address air pollution and to co-develop locally grounded interventions with key stakeholders. Apply by 20 February to join this effort and help place youth leadership at the forefront of advocacy for clean air.
Community Spotlight
7. Shred the Debt
Shred the Debt, winner of the Innovation Prize 2025, is now gearing up for a Nationwide Kickoff, taking place March 27–29 in San Francisco, at the World Economic Forum’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The event will bring together Global Shapers, community leaders, and cross-sector partners to launch a collective effort by Global Shapers across the United States to buy and abolish $10 million in medical debt.
12. Forum Stories
- Why world leaders need to heed youth voices at Davos, Sebastian Buckup & Natalie Pierce
- Why a Spirit of Dialogue needs the next generation, Sebastian Buckup & Natalie Pierce
- Why investing in youth agency is now a business imperative, Lisa Gibby
- Building foundations for Sudan’s recovery through digital identity, Yousif Yahya & Abir Ibrahim
- How Indonesia is prioritizing school children's well-being amid climate change, Adriana Viola Miranda & James Balzar
- What small islands reveal about a blind spot in resilience thinking, Rendell de Kort
Shapers, please connect with your Community Manager before submitting a pitch.
We believe in a world where young people are central to solution-building, policy-making and lasting change.
- Access all Global Shapers resources, guides and tools at wef.ch/gsc-guides
- Read our newsletter in your preferred language using a translation extension
- Pitch your ideas for Forum Stories (English)