Youth is one of the core segments in many financial inclusion agendas. So are Micro and Small Businesses, the traditional focus of much development finance. Do Young Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders merit dedicated attention by financial institutions and development stakeholders, to advance financial inclusion? And if so, what would such dedicated attention be about? Since 2022, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) with its pioneering “Youth in Business Programme” has undertaken research and worked with financial institutions to answer these questions and deliver impactful interventions. This session will share why financial practitioners and development stakeholders should pay attention to this segment that holds many of the keys to the future of business finance and sustainable economic development – and how they might find success.