The Oneida County Youth Governance Program offers greater opportunities for youth leadership development and youth empowerment in Oneida County through direct participation in county government decision-making; provides real-life learning opportunities for youth in the functioning of local government; and brings a direct youth voice to community issues and concerns while fostering the development of confident, capable and independent leaders for the next generation.

The Oneida County Youth in Governance Program has four major components that are beneficial to the youth representatives and the county as a whole. These components include:

• Youth Development: helping youth develop the skills they need to succeed in YGP and beyond.
• Community Improvement: offering a unique opportunity for youth to positively contribute to their communities.
• Civic Engagement: allowing youth to engage with and participate in local government in a meaningful, long-term capacity.
• Youth Voice: providing a mechanism for the needs and interests of youth to be heard and understood.