How the DofE programme works
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Czech Republic (DofE) is an education programme that supports young people in more than 130 countries around the world to develop for the long term. It aims to give everyone the chance to be #WorldReady, that is, ready for the challenges of the modern world.
The programme is designed for everyone between the ages of 14 and 24 and is based on non-formal education in the form of experiential pedagogy. Over 340 institutions and more than 9200 pupils and students are currently involved in the Czech Republic.
Who can provide DofE?
The programme can be provided by primary and secondary schools, universities, non-profit organisations, children's homes, sports clubs, leisure centres, municipalities and other institutions working with youth.
What will the DofE bring to participants?
- get better at things they enjoy
- find time to help others
- gain great experience that will be useful for their future life
- receive an internationally recognised certificate
They can get financial support for their DofE activities from Fund DofE
Programme content
The duration of the program depends on which level you choose. You can choose between bronze, silver and gold. If you choose gold, you will have a residential project in addition to the 4 core areas, which you can complete in the Czech Republic and abroad.
Bronze level
3 months + 3 months
You are involved in the activities for at least 3 months. In addition, you choose one of them to do for 3 months longer.
2 days (1 night)
You're going on an outdoor team expedition.
For Gold level only
Silver level
6 months + 6 months
You have been involved in the activities for at least 6 months. If you are not a Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award winner, you will choose one of them to do for 6 months longer.
3 days (2 nights)
You're going on an outdoor team expedition.
For Gold level only
Gold level
12 months + 6 months
You have been involved in the activities for at least 12 months. If you're not a Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award winner, you'll choose one of them to do for 6 months longer.
4 days (3 nights)
You're going on an outdoor team expedition.
5 days (4 nights)
You can do a residency project in the Czech Republic or abroad.
Skill
You have many choices in this area. From playing a musical instrument to learning a foreign language to cooking or programming. You'll set achievable goals to improve your skills, work on your talents or learn a whole new set of skills. The important thing is that you enjoy it.
Examples of activities
Motion
Physical activity will help you improve your performance and physical fitness. You might work on teamwork in volleyball or meet new people in ice skating. You don't have to be the best and win medals, you just have to want to push yourself a little further. You'll also learn to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Examples of activities
Volunteering
When volunteering, you can work on yourself, but you can also help others. You will need to develop your tolerance, responsibility and patience. In addition to tutoring classmates, this includes cleaning up the woods, working with children, helping at the food bank, and much more. You can ask your leader about volunteer opportunities.
Examples of activities
Expeditions
The expedition is a challenge for you to overcome the fear of the unknown and also an opportunity to go with a group for a few days in the countryside and discover interesting places in the Czech Republic and abroad. An expedition always has a purpose, for example, mapping forgotten places, collecting plants for the herbarium or climbing an entire navigable stretch of river.
Examples of activities
Residential project
You will meet new people and use the knowledge and skills you have gained in other areas of the DofE. You'll go to a place you don't know and do something interesting and meaningful. You could go on a camp, an educational placement or perhaps take part in a volunteering project.
Where to do a residential project
Do you want to deliver a DofE programme?
Your school or organisation working with young people can also deliver the DofE programme. Contact us - we'll be happy to explain. If you already have enough information, you can sign up for basic and expedition training. And if you've already been trained or are about to be trained, you can fill in an Application for Involvement form to help speed up the start of the programme at your organisation.