18 February, Zlín - Sixty-nine young people from the Zlín Region received the Duke of Edinburgh International Award, DofE for short, on Tuesday 18 February at the Bata Institute. The non-formal education programme is designed for people aged 13 to 24. It has been operating in the Czech Republic since 1995. The very first school involved in the Czech Republic was the Gymnázium Zlín - Lesní Čtvrť.
At the Bata Institute, young people received their awards for the bronze and silver levels. Each participant in the programme chooses a skill, sport and volunteer activity according to their interest. They then spend several months working on these. They must also complete a team expedition.
"DofE is an opportunity for every young person to find determination, to train perseverance, to conquer the fears that can hinder success. The DofE does not discriminate. It is open to all and levels the starting line for young people from different backgrounds," says Gabriela Drastichová, Director of the Czech office of the International Prize.
The ceremony was also attended by the regional councillor for education, Jindra Mikuláštíková, who took over the patronage of the event.
"The students involved in the programme overcome difficult challenges, learn new things and develop their skills. All of this can one day be put to good use in their working life. Such activities deserve to be appreciated. I cheer for young people who are passionate about doing things beyond their classroom," she said.
More than 300 young people from the Zlín Region joined the DofE programme in 2024
In 2019, the Zlín Region signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the DofE to support the organisations involved. Last year, there were 19 DofE centres in the region and a total of 310 primary and secondary school pupils, members of sports clubs or children from children's homes fulfilled the DofE.
Adéla Sporyszová from the Secondary Industrial School and Business Academy in Uherský Brod also received a certificate and a badge for the silver level. Her goal in the movement was to improve her physical condition and to complete a 40-kilometre bicycle trip. In skills, she regularly learned to cook and bake new recipes, and in volunteering she became involved in leading the Danaj folklore group.
"In the DofE I learned that I am capable of overcoming challenges that at first seemed insurmountable. I have discovered an inner strength and patience that has pushed me on," says the high school student.
Her school has been involved with the DofE since 2021. "I have met a lot of passionate students who want to develop themselves and do something for others by volunteering. I'm most pleased when they see everything through to the ceremony, which is such a cherry on the cake. I'm very proud of them," says DofE head Lenka Vasku.
About the Duke of Edinburgh International Award
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award programme was founded by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in 1956 to encourage the self-development of boys and girls regardless of their background, physical ability or skill. The programme was brought to the Czech Republic by golf champion Luisa Abrahams. Last year, over 8,800 young people took part in the programme across the country in nearly four hundred DofE centres. Nearly 900 volunteer DofE leaders - teachers, preventers, educators or coaches - accompanied them at 381 DofE centres.
