Central Coast Council's Youth Services team is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Central Coast Youth Week Awards. For the fourth year running, these awards celebrate young people aged 12-24 who've made a difference to the Central Coast community.

Aligned with the Community Strategic Plan and Youth Strategy, these awards connect young people with opportunities, celebrate diversity and inclusion, and empower them to shape our community's future. Recognising the valuable role young people play, these awards highlight their contributions and encourage them to continue their impactful work.

With over 50,000 young people aged 12-24 calling the Central Coast home, many are actively contributing to a better future. These awards acknowledge their efforts and inspire them, and other young people, to channel their energy and initiatives into the community.

This year's award categories encompass a wide range of contributions. We are encouraging nominations for young people making a difference in any area. Nominations can be submitted by anyone in the community via Judgify.

The award categories are:

• Arts and Entertainment Award 
• Community Service and Activity Award
• Environment and Ethical Sustainability Award
• First Nations Cultural Award 
• Social Impact in Education / Community Award
• Youth Sportsperson Award
• Youth Entrepreneur Award
• Youth Leadership (Individual) Award
• Youth Leadership (Group) Award
• Youth Volunteer Award

Additionally, the Central Coast Youth Week Awards has a Nominator Award category. Central Coast schools and services that nominate at least one young person for an award have the chance to win a $1,000 grant to implement a program that benefits young people.

A panel of six judges, including a young person, a Council representative and four youth service representatives will assess the entries. To ensure impartiality, each category will be evaluated by three judges who have no conflicts of interest. Winners will be selected based on their applications and adherence to the specified criteria.

Nominations close on Sunday 23 February 2025. To be eligible, nominees must be Australian citizens residing in the Central Coast Local Government Area.

Finalists and their guests will be invited to attend the Central Coast Youth Week Awards presentation night on Thursday 10 April 2025 at The Hub Erina Youth Entertainment Venue. All award winners will be announced at this event.

The Central Coast Youth Week Awards is an initiative of Central Coast Council, partially funded by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice.

For further information, eligibility criteria and to make your nomination, visit the Central Coast Youth Week Awards web page.