The Central Coast Council Youth Services team are committed to creating opportunities for young people to develop their aspirations, skills and talents.

Central Coast Youth Strategy 

Council is investing in our young people as they represent the future of our region. Together with the Y4Y (Youth for Youth) Action Team we create opportunities for connection, creativity and inclusion ensuring the Central Coast is a place where people aged 12-24 can establish positive lifestyles, learn and develop new skills and find meaningful employment.

To help us achieve this Council has worked in collaboration with the Central Coast Y4Y Action Team, consulted with youth services, and over 1600 young people to develop the Central Coast’s first ever Youth Strategy.

The Central Coast Council Youth Strategy 2019-2024 is designed for local youth, by local youth and provides the strategic direction for the delivery of contemporary youth services, programs, activities and events that meet the needs of a diverse population. It’s a plan for Council to work alongside the local youth sector, schools, young people and the community to make the Central Coast an even better place.

Creative Engineers Program

The Creative Engineers Program is designed to nurture, develop and connect emerging young artists with professional opportunities across the region’s vibrant arts sector. Through a series of tailored programs, the initiative supports skill-building, industry networking and real-world experience across music, photography and event production.

The Program received a Highly Commended honour at the LGNSW 2019 Awards acknowledging that the program provides an opportunity for young emerging artists to explore their creativity, showcase their talents and enhance their skills. 

The program is linked to a strong community of artists, performers, and musicians in the region to improve access to industry networks and target markets. The program explores creative career and industry opportunities, enterprise development and event production through a range of youth programs, activities and events such as:

• Battle of the Bands
• Discovered
• Emergent Sounds
• Discovered Voices Youth Choir
• Plug & Play
• Let Me Entertain You
• Your World Your Way

To find out more contact youthservices@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au  

Youth for Youth (Y4Y) Leadership Program

The annual Y4Y Leadership Program is a comprehensive initiative designed to empower and develop young people on the Central Coast into effective leaders of tomorrow. It aims to equip young people with skills, knowledge, and confidence necessary to lead and make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.

Each year in October applications open for young people to apply to be part of the Y4Y Action Team who will select one of six themes identified in the Central Coast Youth Strategy to focus their work and will be responsible for delivering three actions:

• a community project
• an awareness campaign
• a legacy resource.

The Y4Y Action Team will also participate in the planning of the annual Thinking Out Loud Youth Forum, engaging both young people and community stakeholders across the Central Coast to work together in improving opportunities for young people to be engaged and prosper within the community. 

To find out more contact youthservices@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au

Applications for the 2025 Y4Y Leadership Program open 30 September 2024 and close Friday 15 November 2024. 

Find out more about the Y4Y Leadership Program or apply now. 

Meet the members of the 2024 team by exploring their journey via the social media hashtag #Y4YCC.

Youth Week

Held annually in April, Youth Week celebrates young people and their contributions to their local communities. It's Australia's largest annual youth participation event, empowering young people to express their views and take action on issues that matter to them.

Central Coast Council's Youth Services team curates a calendar of events and activities for young people during Youth Week, partnering with both internal and external stakeholders.

Youth Week 2025

Central Coast Council offered an exciting line-up of events for NSW Youth Week from 9 to 17 April 2025. The week-long celebration offered young people across the region opportunities to connect, develop new skills, showcase their talents, find inspiration and, most importantly, have fun.

The theme this year was ‘We are the future, and the future is now!’ It was about celebrating every young person’s unique strengths and recognising your individual and collective power as our current and future influencers, leaders and decision makers. 

Central Coast Youth Week was proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with Central Coast Council.
 

Central Coast Youth Week Awards

Central Coast Council is proud to recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of our young people. The Central Coast Youth Week Awards honour young individuals aged 12-24 who have made significant contributions to our community.

The 2025 Central Coast Youth Week Awards recognised a wide range of contributions from young people making a difference.

For more information and to view past winners, visit our Central Coast Youth Week Awards page.
 

Term and School Holiday Programs

Council offers a number of term programs which are delivered in partnership with local schools and/or youth services providers. If you are a youth service provider or you would like to discuss a partnership program with Council’s Youth Services team, please contact the Team Leader at ask@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au. 

The Hub Erina Youth Entertainment Venue 

The Hub Erina is a Youth Entertainment Venue that is available for hire to deliver youth programs. It is a multi-functional space for youth focused events, programs, and activities.

Click here for more information about The Hub Erina Youth Entertainment Venue.