FAQs

The Award is the world’s leading youth achievement Award which gives 14-24 year olds the opportunity to be the best they can be.

There are three progressive levels of programmes, which when successfully completed, lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Award.

Gaisce – The President’s Award and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award work in partnership through the Joint Award Initiative (JAI) to offer Award participants in Northern Ireland a choice of recognition for their achievements. They can choose a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, a Gaisce: The President’s Award or a Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Certificate.

In Northern Ireland, Gaisce: The President’s Award and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award work in partnership through the Joint Award Initiative (JAI) to offer Award participants in Northern Ireland a choice of recognition for their achievements. They can choose a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, a Gaisce: The President’s Award or a Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Certificate.

You can choose which type of certificate you would like on eDofE or you can speak to your Leader or contact the JAI office.

This is not permitted by The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. However, you do not need to select which certificate you want to receive until you have completed all sections of your programme.

When you achieve your Gold Award you have a choice of where you would like to go for a Celebration event. You can choose to attend an event at Buckingham Palace (London), The Palace of Holyroodhouse (Edinburgh) or Hillsborough Castle (Northern Ireland). HRH The Duke of Edinburgh usually attends each Gold Award Celebration event.

When you achieve your Gold Award, you can choose to receive a Gaisce: The President’s Award Certificate and these are usually presented in Dublin Castle or Áras an Uachtaráin by The President of Ireland, Uachtarán na hÉireann.