Building on 60 years of experience, 2024 marked a pivotal year for the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Canada, as we embarked on a bold new trajectory. Our current strategic direction establishes Award Canada as the leading experiential learning framework, empowering educators and mentors to shape Canada’s most valuable asset—its youth. This report chronicles our journey, guided by a renewed vision known as the Award Canada Way.
By 2030, Award Canada will be recognized as the leading experiential education framework and learning accreditation across the country. With over 20,000 young people taking part, 65% coming through our Educational Operating Partners, we are dedicated to boosting student success and well-being in high school and beyond.
Award Canada’s DestinationFinding our footing and building lasting partnerships
In 2024, Award Canada embraced a new strategic direction, paving the way to become the leading experiential education framework and learning accreditation in Canada. At the core of our new direction is what we call the Award Canada Way: a bold realignment in the delivery and management philosophy of the Award framework, embracing a co-curricular approach.
The Award Canada Way helps young people build essential skills as they navigate the journey from adolescence to adulthood—connecting classroom learning with real-world application and supporting holistic personal development along the way.
Following the development of the Award Canada Way, our efforts focused on three new strategic pathways. Firstly, the Award must lead Education Transformation, working to integrate our experiential learning framework into public secondary schools. Secondly, we must strengthen the connection between Enhanced Employability and Award participation to communicate the vital role the Award plays in developing essential life and career skills. Finally, we must continue building a diverse Award community, recognizing that growth is achieved through Inclusion Through Partnership.
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The Award is a youth development tool designed for schools and organizations to implement. Through transformative education, clear outcomes and strong community connections, we can ensure that more young people have the opportunity to experience the benefits and reach their full potential. In 2024, we made significant progress in operationalizing the Award Canada Way. Grounded in our core values, we simplified the Award’s requirements into seven key elements, revamped our resource catalogue and launched a new digital platform to support our operating partners in Award delivery and management.
Building on our momentum, in the fall of 2024 we launched the Co-curricular Approach, aiming to integrate academic learning with experiential learning opportunities through the delivery of the Award framework within public secondary schools. Guiding us on this journey, we welcomed Laura Briscoe to the team as our Education Consultant. With more than 15 years of expertise in education, Laura—along with the support of the Award Canada team—has helped launch pilot programs that now engage 216 students across different curriculums.
We also mark this year with a heartfelt farewell and deep gratitude to Stephen De-Wint, who stepped down as CEO after more than seven years of visionary leadership. Under Stephen’s steady guidance, the Award has navigated significant growth, becoming a leading tool for youth development in Canada. On behalf of the Board and the entire Award community, we thank him for his extraordinary service, leadership, and unwavering belief in the potential of young people.
With the departure of Stephen De-Wint, we are pleased to welcome Mark Little as the new CEO of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Canada. Mark brings over 15 years of leadership experience at Scouts Canada, more than a decade of service as an Award Leader, and was instrumental in shaping our 2023 strategic plan as Chief Operating Officer. His deep commitment to youth development and his proven leadership make him exceptionally well-positioned to guide Award Canada into its next era of growth.
As we reflect on 2024, this report stands as a testament to the countless hours worked by our dedicated staff, selfless volunteers, and committed supporters. Their collective efforts have powered our bold first steps in launching the Award Canada Way – a journey toward establishing the Award as the leading name in experiential education and learning accreditation across the country.
Amy Langhorne
Chair, Board of Directors
Stephen De-Wint
Chief Executive Officer
Mark Little
Incoming Chief Executive Officer
Introducing Mark Little
We are thrilled to welcome Mark Little as the new Chief Executive Officer of Award Canada. Mark brings with him a wealth of experience and passion for youth development.
It’s an exciting time to be part of Award Canada’s journey of transformative and impressive strategic growth. Young people in high school and college today are preparing to enter post-secondary education and the job-market in a climate of profound economic, social, and technological change. Award Canada is about unlocking, catalyzing and developing infinite potential.” Mark Little – CEO, Award Canada
Get to know MarkWe would also like to welcome the following new directors joining the National Board of Directors.
Chris Blackwell
Director-at-Large
Bernice-Marie Kalubiaka
Director-at-Large
Eugene Kushnir
Director-at-Large
Peter Lawless
Director-at-Large
Rochelle Prasad
Youth & Alumni Director
Supporting youth wellness through real, measurable engagement
Since 1963, the Award has empowered young people in Canada to develop their infinite potential by setting and achieving goals with the support of mentors through our experiential learning framework. This is the impact of the Award in 2024…
Through activities like snowshoeing, coding, and volunteering, the Award encourages hundreds of young people to build lasting habits that contribute to physical well-being, personal growth, and civic engagement.
Over 56,000 hours
of physical activity in 2024 helped strengthen confidence, health, and independence across Canada. Your investment fuels lasting well-being by fostering community-supported habits at a time when they matter most.
Over 41,000 hours
of communty service saw young people making a positive impact through leading, tutoring, protecting the planet, and supporting those in need. For over 45%, sustainability shaped their service, with projects focused on conservation and climate-conscious action. More than volunteering, the Award cultivates responsibility, empathy, and a mindset for creating lasting change.
Over 48,000 hours
dedicated to mastering skills that shape identity — music, languages, coding, public speaking, cooking and more. These experiences fostered confidence, creativity, and discipline, transforming learning into passion.
Over 46,284 hours
were spent building leadership, teamwork, and resilience. With 1 in 4 journeys unfolding in urban spaces, young people discovered that adventure can be achieved anywhere. Whether hiking, canoeing, skiing, or navigating cityscapes, these real-world challenges build confidence, communication and problem solving skills.
As a result of participating in the Award…
84%
said it has become more important to them to contribute to their community
79%
feel more confident
85%
feel more equipped to set goals and achieve what they want out of their lives
78%
got better at communicating an idea in different ways
87%
now see challenges as opportunities to develop
84%
feel more resilient and determined
The Award has inspired me to embrace the outdoors more than ever before, fostering my curiosity towards the natural biomes of Canada.
Yi, Gold Participant NBOur focus in 2024: the Award Canada Way forward
Our efforts focused on three strategic areas, each rooted in our conviction that the Award is Canada’s premier experiential learning framework and that full integration into the public school system is essential to reach every young person.
Leading the Conversation:
With over 60 years of experience, we’ve built deep expertise in delivering meaningful experiential education that supports the personal growth and development of young people. As we look to the future, one thing is clear: young people need more opportunities to apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world contexts.
Our flexible, youth-centric framework is designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and practical life experience. In 2024, we continued to lead the national conversation on youth development, positioning the Award as a trusted and proven model for experiential education and learning recognition in Canada.
Establishing our credentials:
In 2024 we published “Delivering Youth Development Outcomes: The Award Canada Way”, a position paper that outlines our revised approach and how we are evolving to meet the changing needs of young people. Grounded in youth development research, the paper highlights how our strength-based, experiential learning framework has been adapted and simplified to enable us to be the leading model for personal growth and skill-building.
Measuring and understanding Award outcomes:
From 2019 to 2024, we conducted a longitudinal study, in partnership with the International Award Foundation to measure the Award’s impact. Published in September 2024, the results showed significant positive growth in eight key area—including confidence, creativity, resilience, planning, problem solving, relationship skills, and civic competence—affirming the Award’s role in shaping well-rounded, future-ready youth.
Blogging about it:
To share our insights and stories more broadly, we launched the Award Canada Blog, which now features over 50 articles, inlcuding: participant success stories, educator spotlights and reflections on Award innovation. The blog serves as an evolving resource hub for our community and reinforces the Award’s voice as a national leader in youth development.
A New Foundation for Youth Development: The Award Canada Way
In 2024, we launched the Award Canada Way, a refreshed learning philosophy that modernizes the Award while remaining rooted in its core principles. It recognizes that meaningful development happens when learning is personal, challenging, and aligned with each young person’s goals.
This shift moves away from “box-ticking” toward fostering authentic, purposeful growth. Grounded in the principles of positive youth development, the Award Canada Way equips young people with the skills, mindsets, and habits they need to thrive.
The Award framework meets young people where they are at, while ensuring a pathway for progressive skill development, confidence, and leadership. Through active engagement, reflection, and support, participants don’t just complete the Award, they build the character and capacity to thrive in school, work, and life.
Award Start-up Project:
In 2024, we focused on improving both the starting experience and the ongoing support participants receive to help them complete the Award.
Award Start-up Improvements:
- Launched the Award Activity Zone, a digital library of 50+ activities across seven themes to help participants align their passions with their Award goals
- Streamlined the Online Record Book, making registration and activity selection easier
- Released new digital playbooks, guides, and step-by-step resources to support Award Leaders in mentoring and management
These changes aren’t just about efficiency; they’re about effectively setting participants up for success.
Using real-time data from the Online Record Book, we now equip Award Centres with tools to monitor progress, identify potential risks early, and provide timely support. Award Leaders can better track engagement and intervene with strategies to sustain momentum.
This data-driven model strengthens our commitment to the Award Canada Way, ensuring every participant receives the support they need to unlock their potential and experience personal growth that lasts.
Award Activity Zone
One of the big highlights of the Award Start-Up Project was launching the Award Activity Zone—a digital library with over 50 Award activity examples organized around seven activity themes. It’s designed to help young people find inspiration and see how their own interests can fit into the Award.
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A central part of the Award Activity Zone is career exploration—giving youth the chance to try out career paths they might be curious about. Thanks to our new Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) framework alignments, young people can now dive into passions across more than seven skilled trades and professional industries, making the Award even more relevant and exciting.
Through the Award Activity Zone, we are inspiring young people to find their passion with over 50 activity examples covering seven themes including…
Career Exploration
Building a Hobby
Sports and Fitness
Life After School
Supporting a Cause
Adventurous Journeys
Exploring Trades with Specialist High Skills Major
A Co-curricular Approach: Bridging the Gap Between Learning and Life
In 2024, we launched an exciting new initiative—the Co-curricular Approach —which brings the Award into public secondary schools as a flexible learning framework. It enhances curriculum, supports educators, and empowers students by connecting academic learning with real-world application.
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At its core, the Award is a natural fit for educators looking to move beyond textbooks and support the whole learner. It allows students to shape their journey, choose what matters to them, and grow through experience. If the curriculum is the “what” of education, the Award is the “how”—how students apply their knowledge, build real-world skills, and develop as confident individuals.
Since its launch in September 2024, the pilot has seen immediate success in both Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador. As the Co-curricular pilot grows, we are inviting new schools and districts to partner with us. What makes this approach different is it’s not another initiative for teachers to manage—it’s a tool they can use. With dedicated training, support, and a national education consultant, we help partners integrate the Award in ways that match their priorities and capacities.
Newfoundland and Labrador: Versatile, Adaptable, Impactful Learning:
In partnership with the Newfoundland and Labrador Ministry of Education, the Award was integrated into subjects and programs including English Language Arts, Careers, Physical Education, Social Studies, alternate education, leadership, and extracurriculars. Across 12 schools, students are now connecting their Award journey to classroom goals—gaining skills, confidence, and new strengths.
Ontario: Building Trade Route Experiences:
In Ontario, the Award framework was embedded into the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program across 10 disciplines. In Fall 2024, we partnered with the Greater Essex County District School Board to deliver the Award to students in programs including SHSM Construction, SHSM Aviation and Aerospace, SHSM Environment, and Belle River High mySTEM.
Imagine earning a globally recognized accreditation while participating in activities you love. This framework allows students to set personal goals, gain additional SHSM certifications, and align their learning with real-world experiences. Supporting the GECDSB's commitment to building confident learners, this initiative will have a lasting impact on students' careers and lives
Vicki Houston, Director of Education of Greater Essex County District School Board
Led by Experts, Backed by Educators
Laura Briscoe, Education Consultant
Laura Briscoe, our Education Consultant leads this innovative work. With experience coordinating experiential learning, SHSM, and global competencies across one of Ontario’s largest school boards, Laura understands how to translate vision into classroom realities—and how to make experiential learning accessible for every student. Laura has experience working with hundreds of community clients, spearheading ministry pilot projects, and has published research in interdisciplinary and co-curricular learning strategies, community collaboration and student well-being.
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Laura’s expertise and firsthand experience will support redefining the boundaries of education and bridging the gap between theory and practice, ensuring our efforts remain grounded in the realities of classrooms and schools.
Advisory Committee
We are also please to introduce the Co-curricular Approach Advisory committee, whose mandate is to advise and advocate on behalf of the Award with key public secondary school education authorities.
Robyn Breen
Partnerships & Initiatives, Newfoundland & Labrador Department of Education
Brigitte d’Auzac
Vice-President of Operations, Historica Canada
Laura Elliott
Executive Director, Council of Ontario Directors of Education
Michael Graham
Curriculum Coordinator, Saskatchewan
Paul E. Henry
Director of Education and Secretary-Treasurer, Ontario
Jaclyn Reid
Director of French Education, Programs and Services – Prince Edward Island Department of Education
Financial Summary
Full 2024 Audited financial statements are available here.
Revenue Comparison 2023-2024
For the year-end of December 31, 2024, with comparative information from 2023.
Expenses comparison 2023-2024
For the year-end of December 31, 2024, with comparative information from 2023.
Expenses allocated to delivery
Sustaining our Momentum
In 2024, the Award took meaningful steps toward long-term financial sustainability. By continuing to strengthen our philanthropic foundation, we raised close to $1.5 million through donor campaigns, direct appeals, and corporate sponsorships, with support from over 370 generous contributors. Our earned revenue strategy also advanced significantly. We achieved a 30 percent increase in school registration fees and an 18 percent overall growth in earned income compared to 2023. While there is still important work ahead, the progress made in 2024 has laid a strong foundation that will help sustain our momentum in the years to come.
Thank you
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the individuals, corporations, government departments, private and community foundations whose generous support has made a lasting impact on Award Canada. Your contributions are more than donations — they are meaningful investments in the holistic development of young people and in the continued advancement of Canadian society. Thank you for your unwavering commitment, generosity, and belief in the potential of youth across the country.
Government Supporters
Corporate Supporters
Foundation Supporters
Bealight
Foundation
The John C Eaton
Foundation
Williams Wilson
Sherport Foundation
"I feel I’ve gained a great benefit from the Award and so I’m proud to be able to provide my contributions as a donor in whatever way I can. The Award has created value for me, and I have a desire to see that continue into the future."
Ashley Lorette, Gold Award Holder, Director-At-Large – Award CanadaWe need your help to reach our 2030 destination
As we chart a bold new course we invite you to be part of our impact. Together, we can make the Award the go to learning accreditation in Canada, bringing transformational experiential education opportunities to young people across the country.
How to get involved
We are seeking partners with established established relationships with education administrations to advocate on our behalf and help bring the Award framework to more schools across the country.
Through your generous support you can impact the lives of countless young people and help them realize their infinite potential.
Become an National Operating Partner and bring the benefits of the Award to young people in your organization.
