Your Story - Youth Summit 2026

The Young Combined Authority (YCA) and the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Culture & Creative Industries Team are proud to present the 2026 Youth Summit – an inspiring, action-focused event centred around creative storytelling and careers for young people across the region.

This is more than just a conversation – it’s your chance to influence real change.

This summit is for ambitious and creative young people aged 16 – 25 across the West Midlands who are ready to write and direct their story.

Over the past three years, your insights have helped shape regional initiatives like Thrive in College, youth-led Mental Health Workshops, and the WMCA Youth Plan to address racial inequality and youth unemployment. Now, we’re inviting you to be part of the next chapter.
What to Expect:
• Marketplace: a focus on creative jobs and creative lives, which will convey how creativity can lead to jobs across the creative economy, and in all forms of work! Think artists working for marketing firms, writers in communications, musucians in production and events, and more.

• Youth-led Workshops: Share your experiences, ideas, and priorities with peers, professionals, and policy makers. Your voice will help shape future WMCA policies and projects designed to support the Creative Places Growth Fund.

• Inspiration & Influence: Meet likeminded young people from across the region, gain insight into regional initiatives, and play an active role in shaping what comes next.

• Inspiring Keynote Speakers: Romanah Buchanan, our keynote speaker, is an award-winning creative entrepneur, artistic director, choreographer, and speaker, and is widely recognised for her leadership, innovation, and impact across the arts, education, and entrepreneurship.

There will also be three workshops during the summit.

Workshop 1 - Digital Storytelling

• An interactive workshop that works with young people to engage them in their digital story telling, and giving them the power to tell stories at their finger tips.

Workshop 2 - Shaping Creativity Policy: Creative Places Growth Fund

• A consultation workshop, where young people will have the opportunity to help shape the Creative Places Growth Fund and help steer the direction of programme development.

Workshop 3 - Podcast Incubator

• A hands-on workshop with an expert in producing high quality, impactful podcast. From audience engagement, finding a niche, and the technical tricks to ensure that your podcast can gain a community of listeners.

Check out , including how to get to the venue via walking/cycling, bus, rail, and car. You can use to plan your journey to and from the venue.

If you're driving, park at (post code is B3 2BJ) or (post code is B2 4ND). Be sure to check opening and closing times, along with prices.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email [email protected].

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Host or Publisher West Midlands Combined Authority