Decatur Youth Council – Decatur, GA

Problem/Rationale:

The City of Decatur recognized that youth voices were largely absent from local decision-making processes, despite community support in the 2010 Strategic Plan for ensuring young people had a meaningful role in shaping the city’s future.

Goals:

• Engage high school–aged youth in learning about local government.
• Provide leadership and civic participation opportunities for young residents.
• Ensure youth perspectives inform city plans, policies, and community initiatives.
• Strengthen connections between youth and local government to build long-term civic responsibility.

Project Summary:

In 2016, the Decatur City Commission created the Decatur Youth Council (DYC) to bring youth voices into city processes and offer hands-on learning about local government. Made up of 15–16 diverse high school students each year, the DYC was formed as a direct response to the 2010 Strategic Plan, which identified youth engagement as an essential component of Decatur’s civic life. Members are selected for leadership, academics, community involvement, and interest in public service. They serve one-year terms and commit to monthly meetings, volunteer hours, attending Commission meetings, creating public service announcements, and completing a citywide engagement project.

Since its establishment, the DYC has become a permanent partner in Decatur’s planning efforts and a consistent contributor to community life. They have participated in major city initiatives—including the Decatur Legacy Park master plan—researched policy issues, supported citywide events, and led projects that strengthen community connection. Their contributions have ranged from planting a community orchard at Legacy Park, to hosting a youth-centered Concert on the Square, to revitalizing public planters after significant community debate, to speaking in favor of missing middle housing at a packed public hearing. Through public events, volunteer work, research, interviews, and peer outreach, DYC members have helped implement citywide plans and ensured youth perspectives are included in decisions that shape Decatur’s future.

Engagement Strategies:

• Youth leadership and advisory council model
• Peer-to-peer engagement
• Community events and outreach activities
• Participation in city master planning processes
• Public speaking and testimony at City Commission meetings
• Collaboration with schools, city departments, and community organizations
• Research projects and policy recommendation development

Outcomes:

• Established a lasting structure for youth representation in local government.
• Integrated youth perspectives into multiple city plans, policies, and public processes.
• Implemented community projects such as the Legacy Park Orchard and youth-focused public events.
• Increased youth civic capacity, leadership skills, and confidence to participate in public hearings.
• Strengthened community understanding of youth priorities and perspectives.
• Continued annual youth-driven programming supporting city goals, civic education, and community building.

Resources

• Decatur Youth Council Website
• Decatur’s AAC Presentation