The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is the world’s leading youth achievement award, bringing together practical experiences and life skills that set our young people up for success.
Since it was founded in 1956 by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, over eight million young people aged 15 to 18 have taken part. Schools, colleges, universities, employers, social clubs, youth organisations, sports clubs and more all run the Award.
The programme
The Award is voluntary, non-competitive, enjoyable, balanced, and requires effort over time. There are three levels: bronze, silver, and gold.
Young people design their own programme, set their own goals, and record their own progress. They choose a Service, Physical Recreation, or Skills activity, go on an Adventurous Journey and, to achieve a Gold Award, take part in a residential project. The only person they compete against is themselves, by challenging their own beliefs about what they can achieve.
Further information
More information about The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award can be found on the International Award website. You can also connect with the Award on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
