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Help young people build confidence and transferable skills through real-world experiences. Our flexible framework fits schools and organizations and creates measurable impact in communities.
Discover new interests, build confidence, and gain real-world skills. Set goals, challenge yourself, and earn internationally recognized accreditation while shaping your future.
Expand access to a proven framework that builds future-ready skills, promotes inclusion, and strengthens pathways to education, employment, and lifelong achievement across Canada.
Who We Are
We are a nationally and internationally accredited program for young people aged 14–24 that connects classroom learning with hands-on experiences to build skills, confidence, and real-world experience. We equip educators, mentors, and community leaders with the tools and framework to guide young people as they set goals and work toward completing the program. The Award is flexible, inclusive, and complements existing curriculums and programs.
Empowering Potential the Award Canada Way
Our experiential learning framework equips youth with the confidence, skills, and experiences they need to thrive. By setting goals, embracing challenges, and celebrating achievements, young people unlock their full potential while earning an internationally recognized accreditation.
Participants progress through three levels — Bronze, Silver, and Gold — while working toward personal goals across four areas: skill development, physical recreation, voluntary service, and an adventurous journey. Through this process, young people actively discover, develop, and unlock their potential. The Award is driven by young people through ongoing participation, with guidance and support from adult mentors.
Young people set and achieve SMART goals in 4 or 5 sections.
Voluntary Service
Skill Development
Physical Recreation
Adventurous Journey
Gold Project (Only at gold level)
Young people work to achieve their goals 1 week at a time for:
13-26 weeks at the Bronze Level
26-52 weeks at the Silver Level
52-78 weeks at the Gold Level
Non Competitive & Progressive
Focused on individual growth rather than external ranking, each young person progresses at their own rate, choosing their own activities and goals, with progressive levels of difficulty and development that challenge them to build new skills and confidence over time, rather than competing against others or being judged against others’ results.
Flexible & Adaptable
Designed to fit diverse contexts, youth needs, and delivery settings, the Award easily integrates within both formal or non-formal education. Open to all young people aged 14 to 24, it offers flexible delivery for schools, organizations, and virtual settings.
Globally Recognized Life Skills
Rooted in evidence-based frameworks like Positive Youth Development (PYD) and aligned with OECD, UNICEF, and CMEC Global Competencies, the Award helps young people grow critical life and employability skills while providing a globally trusted credential that validates those achievements.
Guided by Mentors
Mentors coach and support participants as they set goals, overcome challenges, and achieve success. Through encouragement and guidance, young people build confidence, take ownership of their journey, and experience meaningful growth.
Global Recognition
Celebrating personal achievement, growth, and perseverance, the Award provides internationally respected recognition. Highlighting each participant’s commitment, perseverance, and leadership to their community and beyond.
A Champion of the Infinite Potential of Young People
Young people growing up in this modern, complicated world have many difficulties to face, and opportunities for personal achievement are often limited. The Award is intended to help both the young as well as those who are concerned for their welfare. [It] provides an introduction to worthwhile leisure activities and voluntary service, as a challenge to the satisfaction of achievement and encourages the development of young citizens.
HRH The Prince Philip – Founder of the Award
Read our storyHear From Our Supporters
Vipul Gupta
Silver Award AchieverThis program taught me to manage my time effectively, be self-motivated and enjoy every moment for what it is worth, because moments like these don’t come back.
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Dave Maynard
Award LeaderI see the Duke of Edinburgh programme as an incredible opportunity for personal development for young people that will help them be successful throughout their lives.
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Heather Aucoin
Award LeaderThe Award pushes youth out of their comfort zone and encourages them to try new things.
Bob Quartermain
Former Chairman & Chief Executive Officer for Pretium Resources IncThe discipline and commitment that The Award instilled in me in 1973 has continued throughout my life. It has been important in shaping the manner in which I operate in business and interact with my family, friends and coworkers. I’ve been fortunate that throughout my career I have been successful both professionally and financially and that has provided me with the capacity to give back. It is appropriate that I am able now to give back to The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, as the organization had a positive impact on my youth development
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Claire Verkuyl
Gold ParticipantI am eternally grateful for all of the amazing opportunities this Award has given me.
Read MoreRead About the Award in Action!
News & Events
The Globe and Mail Spotlights the Award in Canada
December 15, 2025The Globe and Mail’s highlights how The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is setting a new gold standard for public education in Canada. The feature showcases the Award’s impact on youth development, accessibility, and experiential learning, with inspiring stories from supporters and participants nationwide.
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