About the award

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is available to all 14-24 year olds and is the world’s leading youth achievement award. It equips young people for life regardless of their background, culture, physical ability, skills and interests. Doing the Award is a personal challenge and not a competition against others; it pushes young people to their personal limits and recognises their achievements. The Award is flexible and can be done by anyone aged 14-25 in their own time: mental or physical ability or social circumstances should never be a barrier. Moreover, the individual chooses what activities to do depending on his/her interests and resources.

To date over Ten million young people from over 144 countries have been motivated to undertake a variety of voluntary and challenging activities, and in return, widened their horizon of opportunities.

 The Award Framework

The Award is comprised of three levels and four sections.

Participants complete all four sections at each level in order to

achieve their Award. At Gold level, participants also complete a 

Residential Project.