ENGAGE: Connecting with Georgia's Children and Youth is focused on helping cities and city officials engage and connect with children and youth in their communities and to proactively address the issues they face.

When communities proactively engage their youth, those young people see that they are valued, that their voices are heard and respected, and that their experiences are welcomed and needed in ongoing community discourse. Positive and productive youth engagement builds their confidence and leadership skills, increasing both their influence and their personal stake in their community.

This joint effort of the Georgia Municipal Association and Georgia City Solutions is focused on helping cities and city officials engage and connect with children and youth in their communities to proactively address the issues they face.

GCS and GMA are working together by providing youth engagement tools and resources, developing a “how-to guide” to start a city youth council, convening youth leadership summits/forums, undertaking literacy and mentoring efforts, encouraging increased out-of-school learning and engagement opportunities in cities, as well as facilitating youth workforce development opportunities.

With fresh ideas and a perspective that only they can provide, a city’s youth can serve an important role in creating healthy, vibrant cities.