Join our youth opportunities program

A hands-on training and leadership program for young people aged 15 to 24 to co-design and produce our Youth Week in the City events from scratch.

In progress

Applications close 5pm, Monday 29 June
Successful applicants will be notified on Friday 3 July

Express your interest in becoming a program participant.

Applications close 5pm Monday 29 June 2026.

Apply now

Alex Blair

Senior social programs officer

: 02 9265 9333
: [email protected]

We have an exciting opportunity for young people aged 15 to 24 to develop transferrable professional skills, build confidence and make a real impact in the City of Sydney local area through hands-on event design.

If you live, work or study in the local area, we invite you to apply join our youth opportunities program.

About the program

The youth opportunities program is a year-long experience where a group of 25 people co-design and produce events for Youth Week in the City – one of Sydney’s biggest celebrations of young people. You’ll be part of a creative, energising team with the power to make something genuinely your own.

Unlike traditional youth programs, where young people provide input that others act on, this program puts young people in the driver’s seat.

As a participant, you’ll work alongside City of Sydney staff as genuine co-designers – choosing event concepts, planning logistics, creating social media content, managing budgets and being on the ground to make it all happen on the day.

You'll be guided through every stage of the event design process including team building, ideation, budgeting, stakeholder engagement, marketing and measuring impact. These skills are highly valuable in various professional and personal pursuits, including future employment, volunteering and academic endeavours.

Joining this program offers you the chance to connect and collaborate with other passionate and like-minded young people. Build lasting relationships, exchange ideas and learn from one another’s experiences. This network of peers will provide support, inspiration and opportunities for future collaborations.

What is co-design?

Co-design means you're not just consulted – you have real creative control and decision-making power. The City of Sydney provides support, resources and guidance. The events are shaped by you and your group from start to finish.

In the youth opportunities program, you and your team decide what events to run, who they're for and how to bring them to life, rather than giving feedback on plans that have already been made.

What past participants said

“The active involvement we had in planning the events for Youth Week provided us an extremely valuable experience.”

“It’s really significant to see that the council values and listens to young people’s voices – and that we get to see our suggestions and feedback implemented directly.”

“Working with people outside of my own generation and hearing their perspectives was amazing. You guys are doing something really cool.”

“The genuine feeling of helping people make connections.”

What past participants created

Each group forms sub-teams that take ownership of a distinct event. Here are some examples from previous Youth Week programs.

The team behind Haul in the Hall wanted to create a market where young people could buy, sell and connect without financial commitment pressure. By waiving stall fees, they opened the door for first-time sellers – young people selling handmade art, vintage clothing, ceramics, original designs and more. The team selected and onboarded stallholders, designed the event layout, organised t-shirts and giveaway totes, sourced a matcha bar supplier as an incentive giveaway, managed ticketing and played different roles on the day.

What stallholders said

“Actually earning money that I get to keep 100% of, and gaining the important experience of promoting my own products to varying audiences.”
“It was awesome being able to connect with other makers. I loved that a lot of people I talked to were also first-time vendors.”

“The highlight was the learning experience from my first market – understanding how to set up a stall, display products, interact with customers, and build confidence in selling.”

“Somehow the people who attended and who vended were all so lovely – it really helped build a lovely atmosphere. It felt very trusting and inclusive.”

What attendees said

“Nice community and it’s nice seeing young people being able to have opportunities like this.”
“Free entry and very friendly staff! Please keep these events free – so many activities for young people can be so expensive.”

“That young people had the opportunity to run stalls, some having their first market. I know they really appreciated the waived stall fee.”
The team behind Off the Record wanted to create an intimate live music experience that put Sydney’s emerging young artists in front of an audience who would genuinely discover them – not just scroll past them. Held in a converted Surry Hills office cafe, the event featured acoustic performances across indie, rap and pop, with free gourmet food. It booked out in 2025 and was recreated by the group again in 2026, building on its success. The team curated the artist lineup, planned the venue transformation, managed ticketing and social media promotion, and ran the event on the night

What attendees said

“I love how this event showcases local young talent! It really helps to put artists’ names out there in a time when the arts industry needs the most support.”
“Intimate setting, amazing food, free event. Perhaps a slightly larger venue – there were so many people who couldn’t get tickets!”
“Please do more, especially more live music events showcasing local emerging artists!”
“Hearing local artists and an event specifically for youth. This event was amazing and the catering was exceptional.”

A group of thirteen young people wearing matching black T-shirts pose and smile outdoors on a city street with trees and buildings in the background.

A person sits at a table offering doodle portraits, with a tip jar and sample drawings displayed

You’ll take part in:
- a full day induction on Saturday 18 July 2026, 10am to 4pm
- monthly co-design and skill development sessions from July 2026 to June 2027
- ongoing collaboration with City of Sydney employees between sessions
- marketing campaign development with the City of Sydney’s communications team
- youth-led event production for Youth Week in April 2027
- an evaluation and outcomes measurement session following the Youth Week events
- a celebration and recognition event in June 2027.
- Have a voice: Shape City of Sydney local area initiatives through peer consultation and collaboration.
- Take action: Co-design and produce events for Youth Week in the City 2027 and contribute to digital engagement with young people through our digital channels.
- Develop valuable skills: Enhance your teamwork, peer consultation, organisational development, media and communications, marketing and events management skills.
- Run community programs: Gain the knowledge and confidence to organise and lead community activities.
- Be an advocate: Influence programming that reflects young people’s needs and contributes to community involvement and acceptance regardless of your identity, social economic standing, intellectual or physical ability.
- Participate and collaborate: Engage in community events and have a say in local government decision-making processes through improved relationships and collaboration.
The program requires a commitment to the 6-hour induction session in July, and monthly 2.5 hour workshops from July through to June at a central city location.

It’s not mandatory to attend every session, although all are valuable and some crucial to complete the program and receive your certificate of recognition. You must attend a minimum of 50% of all meetings and commitments to be eligible for the certificate of recognition.

If you discover the program isn’t your thing, that’s fine, just let us know. We can then offer your spot to the next eligible applicant.
Friday 3 July 2026 – all successful applicants will be notified.

Saturday 18 July 2026, 10am to 4pm – a team building and induction day at a central city location.

July 2026 to June 2027 – monthly 2.5 hour co-design workshops will take place from 5pm to 7:30pm at a central city location. Scheduled workshop dates:
- 27 July 2026
- 24 August 2026
- 21 September 2026
- 19 October 2026
- 16 November 2026
- 14 December 2026
- 11 January 2027
- 8 February 2027
- 8 March 2027
- 22 March 2027
- 5 April 2027
- 3 May 2027
- 31 May 2027
- 28 June 2027
Youth Week 2027 runs from 7 to 17 April. During this time there will be numerous events and programs that group participants will be involved in.
To honour your commitment and contribution you’ll receive a signed certificate by the Lord Mayor of Sydney. This will serve as a testament to your dedication and involvement in shaping the City of Sydney’s Youth Week in the City program. It is a valuable recognition of your efforts and can be a great inclusion for your portfolio or resume. You must attend a minimum of 50% of all meetings and commitments to be eligible.

How to apply

The youth opportunities program is open to young people aged from 15 to 24 who live, work or study in the City of Sydney local area.

We’re looking to create a diverse group of 25 young people that represent a range of ages, gender identities, abilities, cultural backgrounds, life circumstances, and locations in our local area.

You don’t need prior leadership experience or a particular skill set to apply – the program is especially valuable if you’re looking to build your first experience in events, communications, community work or project management. If you’re curious, motivated and want to actively contribute to City of Sydney events for young people, we invite you to express your interest in becoming a program participant.

Apply now

Applications close 5pm Monday 29 June 2026.