The 2025 Skoll World Forum will take place April 1–4 in Oxford, U.K. and online. Forum attendance is curated by the Skoll Foundation team, with free virtual participation open to everyone. Please contact registration@skoll.org with your questions about the Forum.
What are the dates for the Skoll World Forum?
The 2025 Skoll World Forum will take place April 1–4, 2025 in Oxford, U.K. and online. The annual Forum shines a spotlight on some of the most promising solutions and impactful social innovations and connects leaders who are driving social progress around the world.
What is the program and schedule for the Skoll World Forum?
The full schedule will be posted in early 2025. Below is a program overview in British Standard Time (BST) to help with travel planning.
Tuesday, April 1
2pm – Registration, connection activities, and independently organized events
3:30pm - New Delegate Meet & Greet
4:30pm – Skoll-hosted welcome reception (optional)
6pm – Serendipity dinners at local restaurants (pay on your own)
8:30pm – Evening activities
Wednesday, April 2
8am to 4pm – Sessions, workshops, connection activities, breakfast and lunch, and independent events
4:30 pm – Opening Plenary
7:00pm – Oxford College dinners
8:30pm – Evening activities
Thursday, April 3
8am to 4pm – Sessions, workshops, connection activities, breakfast and lunch, and independent events
4:30pm – Skoll Awards for Social Innovation
6:00pm – Skoll Awards Reception
8:30pm – Evening activities
Friday, April 4
8am to 2pm – Sessions, workshops, connection activities, breakfast and lunch, and independent events
2:30pm – Closing Plenary
4:30 to 7:30pm – Networking and independent events
8pm – Closing Celebration
Who's speaking at the Skoll World Forum?
Speakers and performers will be announced in the months leading up to the Forum. Please stay tuned!
Forum speakers and performers shine a light on global issues and innovative solutions including economic inclusion, climate action, democracy, health, human rights, racial justice, gender equity, and more. Past speakers have included: Former Presidents Jimmy Carter, Mary Robinson, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Ernesto Zedillo; former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern; former World Bank President Jim Yong Kim; Nobel Peace Prize Winners Maria Ressa, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Malala Yousafzai, Muhammad Yunus, and Al Gore.
We also highlight the roles that artists and storytellers play in inspiring and driving social change. We have celebrated on our stage with Ava DuVernay, Nile Rogers, Bono, Peter Gabriel, Annie Lennox, Run DMC, Luis Fonsi, Sarah McLachlan, Juanes, Michael Franti, Angelique Kidjo, Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, Baaba Maal, Amadou & Mariam, Anna Deavere Smith, and Aloe Blacc.
What is the Marmalade Festival during the Skoll World Forum?
Led by our partner Marmalade, the Marmalade Festival hosts independent events during the Skoll World Forum to explore and expand solutions to social problems. The Marmalade Festival will take place April 1-4 at the Old Fire Station. All events will be free or low-cost and open to Forum delegates and the public. You can submit an application for the Marmalade Festival here. Applications close on January 13, 2025.
What is the Sidebar during the Skoll World Forum?
The Sidebar is an open-source community initiative that fosters connection by mapping solutions-oriented people and events. Launched at the 2024 Skoll World Forum, it aims to help leaders connect with solutions and each other. Find relevant events and people at this link, which will be updated closer to the Forum.
Who can I contact for any additional questions?
Questions about registration for the Skoll World Forum: registration@skoll.org
For press/media inquiries: Sian Wu (she/her) of Resource Media at sian@resource-media.org
How do I attend the Skoll World Forum?
Each year, the Forum convenes 1,500+ social entrepreneurs, innovators, funders, storytellers, government and business leaders, and more. The Skoll Foundation team curates invitations for Forum delegates as part of our mission to support social entrepreneurs and other innovators dedicated to large-scale change. Virtual participation is free and open to everyone, and includes access to live streams and replays of plenaries and sessions. You can sign up on our website starting in February 2025.
Are there registration deadlines for the 2024 Skoll World Forum?
Yes. Space is limited, so please register early to secure your spot. Registration for the Forum closes on March 21, 2025, or earlier if we reach capacity. Registration to participate virtually is free and will be open until April 1, 2025. For invitation transfer requests, these will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and will not be accepted after Friday, March 21.
Are there fees to attend?
Yes, delegate fees for Forum attendance are structured to encourage participation from around the globe. Higher-tier Forum invitation fees make it possible for civic and entrepreneurial leaders to attend at a lower rate. Please contact registration@skoll.org with any questions.
Why is PayPal not allowing me to pay by credit or debit card?
The Forum registration system uses PayPal to process delegate registration fees. We have learned that using PayPal is not available for all locations. In some countries, PayPal requires the payor to have a PayPal account before making a transaction.
If you are in a location where PayPal is not available without an account, you will need to create a PayPal account. If you experience any PayPal issues, or are unable to create a PayPal account, please reach out to registration@skoll.org so we can assist you.
What is your cancellation and refund policy?
We'll refund registration fees on all requests received by Tuesday, March 11, 2025. For cancellations requested after March 11, 2025, we will review on a case-by-case basis, but decisions may not be made until after the Forum concludes. Refunds processed via PayPal will be subject to PayPal’s online money transfer fees.
Is there an option for virtual participation this year?
Our team is proud to offer virtual participation for watching live streams and replays of plenaries and select sessions. Attending the Forum online is free and open to everyone. You can sign up on our website starting in February 2025.
Is there a mobile app for this year’s Forum?
Yes. The Forum has a digital space for viewing the schedule and connecting with other participants. We'll provide mobile app details and instructions closer to the Forum.
When should I arrive in Oxford for the Skoll World Forum?
The Forum kicks off on April 1 with an optional welcome reception and connection activities for delegates to meet and settle in. To fully participate, we suggest arriving in Oxford on Tuesday, April 1 and departing on Saturday April 5, 2025.
How do I travel to Oxford and where should I stay?
This resource page has more details about traveling to and around Oxford. Additionally, you can review our recommendations for lodging. There are a variety of hotels and rentals in Oxford that we suggest booking as soon as possible.
How do I observe religious holidays at the Forum?
Please note that Ramadan ends and Iftar and Eid al-Fitr may occur between March 29–31, 2025. Please email our team at registration@skoll.org if we can help support your observance of Ramadan while at the Forum.
Will language translation be available?
Language translation will be provided for everyone attending in-person or virtually through AI-powered translation from Wordly and accessible via web browser and mobile app. Bring your headphones to access the language translation.
Is the Skoll World Forum accessible for people with disabilities?
Yes. With advance notice, our team can provide dedicated assistance, headphones for hearing amplification, sign language interpretation, and more. You will be asked about your accessibility needs during the registration process. Please aim to provide at least 30 days' advance notice so we can thoughtfully prepare to support you. You may also contact us at registration@skoll.org to discuss your individual accessibility needs.
Most of the venues utilized during the Skoll World Forum are accessible. This list contains some of our frequently used venues and links to their accessibility details.
Can I bring my baby to the Forum?
The Skoll World Forum supports working parents and people who are nursing. We provide lounges for nursing/pumping and allow access to programming on site. To maintain a focused environment and ensure clear recordings during official Forum sessions, we ask the parent/guardian to exit the room if your baby becomes disruptive. Throughout the event, we provide alternate locations where sessions can be viewed via livestream.
Is childcare available in Oxford?
The Skoll World Forum does not provide childcare. Please source your own childcare, whether by bringing a travel companion or finding an option in Oxford. For anyone traveling with young children, here are a few options for childcare services: Care.com; childcare.co.uk; Oxford and London Sitters; and Oxford Active with day camps during spring break.
*Skoll Foundation provides the links on this page only as a convenience and does not review, approve, monitor, endorse, warrant or make any representations with respect to such links and their corresponding third-party websites, or any product or service provided in connection therewith.
What is your code of conduct?
The Skoll Foundation is committed to an environment free of harassment, discrimination, and threatening or disrespectful behavior. It is important to us that all delegates are able to participate fully in our programs. We encourage you to learn more about our community guidelines. Please report violations of the Code of Conduct using this anonymous hotline, hosted by a third-party provider, EthicsPoint.
What are your COVID-19 health and safety precautions?
Your health and safety are top priorities. While we eagerly anticipate gathering in Oxford, we recognize the ongoing presence of COVID-19 and the inherent risk associated with any public event. Rest assured, the Skoll Foundation is closely monitoring the situation and following the latest guidance from U.S. and U.K. health officials.
We will implement recommended health and safety precautions at the Forum and kindly ask that all attendees be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations, per CDC guidelines, including the latest booster shots. More details on specific measures, such as mask requirements and other precautions, will be provided in our FAQs in early 2025.
We are committed to keeping you informed as the event approaches. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our Registration Team at registration@skoll.org.
What if I become ill during the Forum?
Please email registration@skoll.org if you become ill during the Forum. Our team can bring you a care package of food and other necessities and drop it off at your doorstep. For the safety of others, we ask that you stay isolated until you are no longer considered contagious. Plenaries and sessions can be viewed online via the Forum app.
If you need a medical consultation or urgent medical care, you can call 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk. Anyone in the UK can receive treatment at a National Health Service (NHS) facility, no matter their residency status. However, tourist visitors to the UK do not typically qualify for free NHS treatment.
You are solely responsible for any increased costs associated with extending your stay in England, including medical costs, additional hotel nights, and changes to your return flight.