The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award announces This is Youth: celebrating and recognising the amazing stories behind the DofE

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award’s (DofE) has today opened nominations for This is Youth – recognising and celebrating the amazing, untold stories of the young people and adults behind the Award.

From teamwork and innovation to overcoming personal challenges, This is Youth will shine a light on the extraordinary things young people do on their DofE journeys. It will also highlight the exceptional commitment and passion of adults who deliver the Award and have a life-changing impact on DofE participants all over the UK.

There are eight categories, including Trailblazer of the Year, Planet Protector of the Year?and Torchbearer of the Year – with six categories recognising young people, and two celebrating adults.

Ruth Marvel, CEO of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, said: “Every year, all over the UK, young people are quietly doing amazing things as part of their DofE – from making a positive difference in their communities by volunteering, to coming up with creative solutions to problems that were holding them or others back. We want to find and shout about those untold stories and celebrate young people doing what they do best – rising above today’s challenges and making their mark on the world, their way.

“We also want to recognise the unrivalled passion and commitment of the adults who power our charity and support us to deliver the Award – going above and beyond to give young people every opportunity they can.”

All current DofE participants or recent Award holders can be nominated, along with adults who support young people to do their DofE in schools, community organisations, hospitals, prisons and more.

Nominations will be reviewed by a panel of high-profile public figures, young people and DofE supporters – with panellists looking for people who have pushed themselves to achieve something extraordinary on their own terms or made a positive difference to others.

Inspirational individuals or teams will be selected from each category and invited to a special celebration event in London. Their stories will also be shared throughout December to celebrate them and inspire and encourage others. Voting is open until midnight on 17 September 2023.

For more information and to fill out a nomination form visit: DofE.org/ThisIsYouth.