"DofE has changed my life. It made me the person I am today. It gave me the experience and confidence to talk to new people. It made me realise how resilient and strong I am."
DofE participant
Photocredit: Till Budde
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, talents and expeditions. Taking part supports them to experience self-efficacy, discover strengths they never knew they had and 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 programme’s motto is “There’s more in you than you think!” (Kurt Hahn)
Copyright: ZDF LeuteHeute, 23.05.2023
Do the Duke
Discover your potential, engage and help to change our world! Develop yourself as a personality, discover what is in you and strengthen your skills at the same time – this and much more is what the Duke is all about.
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Run the Duke
Self-confidence, resilience, teamwork - these are just some of the skills that young people develop through their participation in the Award and which can help them to develop their full potential.
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Support the Duke
Support our association in enabling as many young people as possible to participate in the Award.
Find out more 
What's new?
Founding Partner of Global Youth Mobilization:
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 Jahre
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 Jahre
Bronze participant
I never thought I would manage this."Adam, 17 Jahre
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 Jahre
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. I hope that all students can take part in this program!"Hassan, 17 Jahre
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 Jahre
Bronze participant
What we are doing here is immediate work with the child."Wolfgang Engst
Teacher at Schule am Schillerpark, Berlin
We tested our strengths and taught ourselves that we can do anything." Bissan, 16 years old
Silver participant
I have learned a lot, which now also affects my character. For example, I used to be more shy and now I am more open. I can talk to people more, I can also start topics of conversation out of nowhere." Abdul, 17 years old
Silver participant
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
