One of the most successful programmes for young people ever

More than 330,000 young people started their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) in 2023/24, the charity’s annual statistics reveal.

This equates to participants giving 4.7 million hours of volunteering in communities all over the UK.   

The numbers, published this week, break the charity’s participation records for the third year running. They show that more than 545,000 young people are currently working towards a DofE Award across the UK, with 30% of 14-year-olds starting their Bronze DofE last year.   

The figures signal the end of the third year of the DofE’s five-year strategy which aims to break down barriers and open up access for all young people. With the support of its funders and partners, the charity is working with more community organisations, schools in deprived areas, prisons, and centres supporting young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

It is also offering targeted financial support to organisations and young people who face financial barriers to taking part. 

Ruth Marvel, CEO of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, said: "More young people than ever are doing their DofE, with rising numbers taking on the challenge of a Gold Award. These stats show that opportunities like these, offering experiences and skills young people often can’t get in classrooms and textbooks are increasingly wanted and needed by today’s young people, with all the challenges and uncertainties they face.  

“With the support of our incredible volunteers, partners and supporters, we’re making excellent progress against our ambitious goal to give every young person the chance to do their DofE – but a lot more needs to be done if we’re to give every young person a fair chance to achieve what they’re capable of. That’s why we’re calling for the next government to introduce an enrichment guarantee, so all young people can benefit from out-of-school activities like DofE, regardless of their income or where they live.” 

As young people navigate an ongoing cost-of-living crisis, anxiety about the future and a youth mental health emergency, opportunities like the DofE provide a safe environment where they can strive for achievement, overcome obstacles and set their minds to a personal challenge.  

Whatever their ability, interest or background, the DofE gives young people the chance to take on their own challenges, grow in self-belief, discover talents and passions, and gain vital skills they can’t get in a classroom.   . 

In the coming year, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award will continue to support more secondary schools, youth justice settings and community organisations to run the DofE, and take more action to support organisations and young people facing financial barriers – including by offering tailored financial support through Licensed Organisations, to the young people who need it most.