A Youth Council is a group of young people working toward the common purpose of developing their individual leadership skills to strengthen communities through volunteer service and increased communication with municipal leaders, such as Mayors.

Youth develop and lead initiatives with the support of adult mentors. A Mayor's Youth Council is more than just a service club because members also determine to train and involve their peers in service leadership. Youth Councils also provide valuable insight on issues affecting young people and the community at large. They can represent cities, communities, regions, schools, organizations, and states. Each Council typically has fifteen to twenty-five members.

Youth Councils work to coordinate, advise, and activate peers and elders in issues affecting young people. The Council acts as a positive, influential, and energetic voice in affecting policies, and solutions to local problems. Youth Councils are found in many segments of society. To be successful, a Youth Council must be carefully thought out in everything from its purpose to its role in city government, to its membership. Every city is unique and the Youth Council must be tailored to fit a community’s needs.

Young people, who are typically in high school, are allowed to join the Youth Councils. Further, because the Youth Councils are usually tied to municipal leaders, they are required to reside in the city or town where they reside. Youth who are selected to join the Youth Council also usually must maintain a certain grade point average, for those still in school, and come to the Council through recommendations from school and community leaders. 

Youth Councils typically provide ongoing and direct input on government policies and practices that may affect young people at the local level. Council members are expected to advocate on these issues and initiatives and recommend avenues by which to improve the issue – such as with reference to school safety, anti-discrimination or raising funds for a new soccer field. They also act as a communication link between the local government and the young people of their community. Finally, they promote and recognize the abilities, accomplishments, and contributions of young people in their communities, and organize and participate in service-learning projects that benefit a community.