Mission Statement

The Austin Youth Council’s mission is to provide Austin-area youth with a platform to amplify their voices and drive meaningful changes within their communities and local organizations.

About the Youth Council

The Austin Youth Council was established in 2011 by former Mayor Lee Leffingwell and City Council by way of a Resolution. The Council was created to provide a formal space for high school students to engage with city leaders, voice their concerns, and influence decisions impacting Austin’s youth. Since its inception, the Council has empowered young leaders to address critical issues in their communities and build a foundation for civic participation.

The Youth Council consists of over 70 high school students who represent high school population of the City of Austin. The council is structured as a general assembly, with 10 elected council members representing each of Austin’s 10 districts. Members meet monthly to discuss youth-related issues and hear presentations from City staff and external organizations.

Benefits of being an Austin Youth Council Member

As a member of the Austin Youth Council, students gain valuable skills in civic engagement, leadership, and communication. Members learn to use Robert’s Rules of Order and participate in Council, Committee, and General Assembly meetings.

Additional benefits include:

  • Opportunities to attend state and national conferences, including one in Washington, D.C.
  • Direct interaction with City Council members to discuss youth issues within their districts.
  • The chance to make a lasting impact on the community.

“Having an opportunity to be a part of something that has value to our city and community. I love the fact that we do what we do best as the youth—being together and helping our local communities. I look forward to actually making an impact. ” – Nour Nour, 2023-2024 AYC Member

Youth Council Meetings

The Youth Council meets monthly, following a structured schedule that includes three types of meetings:

  • Council Meetings
  • Committee Meetings
  • General Assembly Meetings

During these meetings, members discuss issues affecting youth, hear presentations from City staff and external organizations, and plan actions to address community concerns.

The Council offers the opportunity to attend national conferences each year, fostering broader civic engagement and networking opportunities.

Austin Youth Council also hosts monthly service events. 

Apply for Austin Youth Council

Eligibility:

To be eligible to participate in AYC, students must live within the City of Austin or the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ). Students who attend school in Austin but live outside of either Austin or the ETJ, are not eligible.

You can check your if your address is in City of Austin or the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) using the Jurisdictions Web Map.

We strongly encourage students from all parts of Austin to apply. AYC strives to build a diverse and representative group of high school leaders from across the city.

Additional Considerations:

  • There is no citizenship requirement for Austin Youth Council.
  • A GPA of 2.5 or above is preferred, though all applicants will be considered holistically.

Are you a high school student passionate about making a difference in Austin? Apply now for the 2025-2026 school year. The selection process runs on a rolling basis until spots are filled, so students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. New members will begin their term at the start of the 2025-2026 school year. 

Follow this link to learn more and apply: Austin Youth Council 2025-2026 Application

While there is no firm deadline, we encourage students to apply as early as possible. Applications will remain open until we reach capacity, but availability depends on the number of applicants from each school—each high school may have a maximum of four representatives. Once all spots are filled, this page will be updated to close applications.

For inquiries, please contact:

Abrianna Citta, Program Coordinator, Youth Initiatives Office
Email: abrianna.citta01@austintexas.gov

Dr. Chiquita Eugene, Administrator, Youth Initiatives Office
Email: chiquita.eugene@austintexas.gov