City-affiliated youth councils play an important role in building tomorrow’s civic leaders while also ensuring youth have a voice in city programs, practices, and policies today. The National League of Cities values gathering these future leaders into one space to connect, learn and engage with experts and their peers. NLC’s Education and Workforce Success team helps bring together youth engaged in their city’s youth councils from across the country alongside each of NLC’s two annual conferences, City Summit and Congressional City Conference.
The youth program is a space for youth councils to engage with peers and interact with city leaders from across the country. The youth program workshops are led and designed by youth chosen each Spring through a competitive application process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can participate in the NLC youth program?
NLC invites youth leaders who are actively involved with a city-affiliated youth council or commission. Each city’s delegation must include eligible adult chaperones.
Who can serve as a chaperone?
Chaperones must be at least 25 years old, a city employee or a youth council leader. Family members and current elected officials may not serve as chaperones. Chaperones must attend all youth programming alongside the youth participants. We currently allow a 1:6 chaperone to youth ratio during the registration process.
When is the next youth conference and when can I register?
The next conference will be held alongside City Summit on November 18-19, 2026, in Nashville, TN. Registration is now open. We do have limited capacity for the youth program and encourage early registration. Youth programming will take place at the Music City Center. Please subscribe to NLC’s newsletters to be the first to hear when registration is open!
What does the registration cost include?
The youth registration fee includes a youth conference badge, access to all youth programming, and some meals.
How can members of my youth council be part of the planning process for upcoming conferences?
If you have youth who would like to apply to be part of the NLC Youth Advisory Council for the 2026-2027 conference season, they can apply online. Applications are open until May 22, 2026.
- Eligible youth must:
- Be a part of their city’s youth council;
- Be a rising 11th or 12th grader;
- Have a written commitment from their city to financially sponsor their registration and travel to both City Summit (November) and Congressional City Conference (March);
- Be accompanied by an eligible chaperone; and
- Have written parent/guardian permission
We also provide other youth council members with the opportunity to help with the planning and execution of workshops closer to conference dates. To be a part of the Youth Program Planning Committee, youth must be registered to attend the upcoming conference as part of their youth council and able to attend virtual evening planning meetings. Registered chaperones will receive outreach about Planning Committee applications.
Does NLC financially sponsor youth to attend conferences?
NLC does not currently have the ability to financially sponsor any youth conference registrants.
Registration on the conference website appears to be closed. Can I request additional spaces be opened for my group?
Unfortunately, NLC has limited physical capacity for our youth program and once registration is closed, we cannot accommodate additional participants. We encourage you to register as early as possible.
Registration for City Summit’s youth program typically opens in mid-March and registration for Congressional City Conference typically opens late November. Please subscribe to NLC’s newsletters to be the first to hear when registration is open!
Can my youth attend the general NLC conference with our youth badges?
Youth conference attendees can attend general sessions that don’t overlap with youth programming. However, other conference sessions (workshops, council meetings, evening receptions etc.) are only open to NLC members and city officials who have purchased full conference passes. All non-youth NLC evening events are 21+.
Who can I contact with additional questions?
Email the Youth Engagement Team.
Apply Now for the NLC Youth Advisory Council
Applications are now open to join NLC’s NLC Youth Advisory Council. Applications close on May 22. Download the application and apply now. Review application materials (PDF).
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