Project Lead

MCB Business Partners

FUNDED BY

Net Zero Economy Authority

YEAR

2026

Transitioning Economies (Hunter)

Your Voice, Your Say

A place‑based youth engagement and education initiative amplifying young people’s voices in the Hunter Region’s transition to a net zero economy.

Transitioning Economies – Your Voice, Your Say is a place‑based youth engagement initiative delivered through secondary schools across the Hunter Region.

The project supports students to explore real economic transition challenges — including workforce change, decarbonisation, and regional resilience — and contribute ideas and insights that inform the region’s net zero future. The program is curriculum‑aligned, student‑led, and grounded in local context to ensure participation is meaningful and connected to real‑world opportunity.

Why It Matters

The Hunter Region is undergoing one of Australia’s most significant economic transitions. Decisions made now will shape workforce pathways, community identity, and long‑term resilience.

This project ensures young people are active participants in that transition — building understanding, confidence, and trust by engaging students directly with locally relevant challenges and future opportunities.

Who It’s For

Secondary school students across the Hunter Region
Teachers and schools seeking curriculum‑aligned, real‑world learning
Industry, councils, and agencies seeking informed youth perspectives
Government and regional bodies supporting place‑based transition planning

Participation is structured to ensure broad access, beyond self‑selecting or high‑achieving cohorts.

Secondary school students across the Hunter Region

Teachers and schools seeking curriculum‑aligned, real‑world learning

Industry, councils, and agencies seeking informed youth perspectives

Government and regional bodies supporting place‑based transition planning

Participation is structured to ensure broad access, beyond self‑selecting or high‑achieving cohorts.

What It Delivers

Elevated youth voice in regional transition conversations
Student‑generated insights grounded in local experience
Increased awareness of emerging careers and workforce pathways
Stronger education–industry–government relationships
Greater community confidence and optimism around net zero

For students, the project builds agency, confidence, and clarity about how learning connects to future opportunity.

Elevated youth voice in regional transition conversations

Student‑generated insights grounded in local experience

Increased awareness of emerging careers and workforce pathways

Stronger education–industry–government relationships

Greater community confidence and optimism around net zero

For students, the project builds agency, confidence, and clarity about how learning connects to future opportunity.

Developed and delivered by MCB Business Partners through Net:Zed, and sponsored by the Net Zero Economy Authority.

The project is delivered in collaboration with schools, industry, regional organisations, and a dedicated Student Advisory Group that plays an active role in shaping priorities, insights, and outcomes. Partners provide context on local challenges and opportunities before shifting into a listening role, reinforcing trust and authentic engagement.

Project