The Award is a leading structured (non-formal education) youth development program, empowering young people aged 14-24 to explore their full potential and find their purpose, passion and place in the world, regardless of their location or circumstance. The Award is a fully inclusive program and has no social, political, or religious affiliations.
To achieve an Award, each young person must learn a skill, improve their physical wellbeing, volunteer in their community and experience a team adventure in a new environment. All participants are supported by a network of adult Award Leaders, Assessors, and Supervisors.
The key elements of the programme are:
- Open to all young people aged 14 to 24.
- Three levels: Bronze, Silver, and Gold – each progressively more challenging.
- Four Sections: Physical Recreation, Skills, Voluntary Service, Adventurous Journey plus Gold Residential Project (Gold Level only).
Achieving an Award recognises individual goal setting and self-improvement through persistence and achievement.
Time requirements:
- Bronze – minimum 6 months
- Silver – minimum 6 months if completed Bronze otherwise 12 months for direct entrants
- Gold – minimum 12 months if completed Silver otherwise 18 months for direct entrants
Regular participation in activities is required to meet the time requirements of each Award Section and Level and through this challenging journey of self-discovery, participants:
- Are equipped and empowered to achieve their personal best
- Learn to take responsibility for their goals and choices
- Become connected to and actively engaged within their immediate community
- Make a real difference to society through their positive contributions and involvement
- Learn to persevere and overcome barriers to success
- Learn important life skills
- Increase their career opportunities.
Today more than 130 countries have adopted The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award programme with over 8 million young people having participated worldwide.