What is the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award?

The DofE International Award is a global framework for non-formal education and learning that motivates young people to challenge themselves outside the classroom in the areas of volunteering, sports, talent and expeditions. Taking part supports them to experience self-efficacy, discover strengths they never knew they had and it equips them with competencies that will help them lead a fulfilling life and shape our societies.

The Award can be offered by any organisation that works with people aged 14-24. This includes schools, training companies, businesses, youth centres, children’s and youth homes, sports clubs or youth correctional institutions.

The program’s motto is “There’s more in you than you think!” (Kurt Hahn)

Do the Duke

There are talents, abilities and strengths in you that you may not even know about and that remain undiscovered in everyday school life. Activate your potential, get involved and change our world!
Info for participants

Run the Duke

Give young people the best possible start in life. Self-confidence, resilience, teamwork - these are just some of the skills that young people develop through their participation in the Award.
Info for award operators

Support the Duke

Support our association in making it possible for as many young people as possible in public schools to participate in the Award so that they gain the courage to reach for their personal stars.
Info for supporters
This program strengthens not only the participants but the entire school community."
Dr. Maja Lasić
Member of the SPD parliamentary group in the Berlin House of Representatives and Spokeswoman for Educational Policy - Patron of the Strong Teens Project in Berlin-Mitte
That was fun. I want to do that again, and several times, a lot. What I enjoyed the most? To sleep in the open air and to cook and eat together.”
Kamal, 17 years old
Silver participant
This journey changes a teenager's soul."
Prof. Dr. Barbara Ischinger
Director of the OECD Directorate for Education and Skills from 2006-2014
I am happy that we can now engage ourselves for something at our school, even if we aren't part of student council."
Berfin, 15 years old
Bronze participant
I never thought I would manage this."
Adam, 17 years old
Bronze participant
The Duke empowered my students but also myself as a teacher."
André Barth
Teacher at Ernst-Schering-Schule, Berlin
With the Duke we brought a smile to our school."
Ismet, 16 years old
Bronze participant
The Duke made me remember why I became a teacher in the first place."
Ronald Fischer
Headmaster of Schule am Schillerpark, Berlin
Without the Duke I would never have been offered my apprenticeship."
Hassan, 17 years old
Bronze participant
We'll do this for the next 10 years!"
Grit Gottschalk
Teacher Education in Berlin, Teacher and Head of Mathematics at Ernst-Schering-Schule, Berlin
The program made me more resilient."
Tuba, 15 years old
Bronze participant
What we do here is direct work on the child."
Wolfgang Ernst
Teacher at the school Schule am Schillerpark
Those who have achieved the Duke Silver or Gold Award show determination and commitment - good prerequisites for a successful application to the Klaus Murmann Study Support Programme of the Foundation of German Business!"
Nadita Wegehaupt
Head of Strategic Cooperations of the Stiftung der Deutschen Wirtschaft (sdw) gGmbH
The most important experience for me was when we distributed food to homeless people because I've never done anything like that and you see how homeless people live and how grateful they are when you just give them something to eat and drink."
Mustafa, 17 years old
Silver participant
We tested our strengths and taught ourselves that we can do anything."
Bissan, 16 years old
Silver participant

Partners

                     

Supporters

 

           

 

We are members of the Global Youth Mobilization