Port Macquarie is hosting its first Youth Leading the World Congress, attracting 26 young people from across the region to conjure up plans to protect our stunning natural surrounds.

Our town is one of 50 locations worldwide participating in the congress.

Group leader Susanne Ech spearheaded the campaign to start the  OzGreen initiative here.

Since Tuesday, the group have discussed topics and issues including sustainability and ecological footprints, environmental challenges and difficulties and what changes need to be made.

"We're coming up with a vision of how we want this world to look," Miss Ech said.

The driven 21-year-old was pleased with the level of interest considering she only found out about the congress a fortnight ago.

Miss Ech has used social media and contacted schools in the area to drum up interest.

She was trained to lead our three-day congress by OzGreen chief executive officer Sue Lennox, of Bellingen, who founded the not-for-profit organisation four years ago.

"It's about inspiring young people to make change," Miss Ech  said.

While there are events in Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay and Bellingen, Port Macquarie's event fills a gap in the Hastings.

The congress is at the Charles Sturt  University campus on Grant Street.

Tomorrow, anyone with an idea to improve sustainability in our community is invited to a community forum in room 115 at the campus from 1.30pm to pitch their vision.

Log on to www.ozgreen.org for more information.