The Award takes you further!
Young people are the future. To prepare them for the society of the future, we offer them the International Award for Young People programme through schools, youth work, sports clubs and other (youth) organizations. With the clear structure, clear criteria and with our coaching, the young people challenge themselves in the areas of sport, talent development, volunteering and expedition. In doing so, they are in charge of the content of these activities. With the Award programme, the young people build self-confidence, work together, solve problems, learn to push back boundaries and get the best out of themselves.
With the International Award for Young People, young people become #WORLDREADY!
Personal development through activities
Young people participating in the Award program set personal goals in the areas of sports, skill development, and volunteering. These goals are tailored to their individual ambitions and capabilities. The program is non-competitive, with a focus on personal growth and development rather than performance.
Expedition and adventure
During the expedition, young people venture into nature in small groups for 2 to 4 days, depending on their chosen level. This can take place in the Netherlands or abroad, and can be done on foot, horseback, by bicycle, or by canoe. The participants are responsible for themselves but are well-prepared through workshops and a practice expedition. Upon completing all components of the program, they receive an internationally recognized Award certificate at a celebratory Award Ceremony.
Three levels: bronze, silver, and gold
The Award program offers three levels: bronze, silver, and gold. For the bronze level, participants are engaged for at least 6 months, for silver 1 year, and for gold 1.5 years. This long-term commitment leads to greater involvement in their chosen activities. Organizations offering the Award program operate under a sub-license from The International Award for Young People – Netherlands, and are supported by Award Netherlands, which is part of The International Award Foundation.
What have we achieved?
Every year, some 1,500 young people in the Netherlands go through the Award programme. Worldwide, there are more then 1 million. Young people who, thanks to the programme, have gained a better idea of their passion, purpose and place in society. Who feel they are #WORLDREADY.
Social impact measurements show that, converted into money, a young person who has achieved the bronze level generates a social value of €3200. For silver it is €2800 and for gold even €4600 per young person.
But the best results can still be seen and heard time and again at the Award Ceremonies, where the young people proudly present what they have achieved. The realization that, even with small things, they can make a difference to themselves and those around them is
invaluable.
Mission & vision
The International Award for Young People was established in 1956 by education philosopher Kurt Hahn and the Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip to help young people build lifelong confidence in themselves. Regardless of their background, culture, physical abilities or interests. We support them in facing their challenges, following their passion and discovering talents they didn't even know they had. Because when you believe in yourself, little stops you.
On an individual level, the Award programme can dramatically change a young person's life; on a collective basis, it has the power to change society at large. With the Award programme, we want to offer schools and other (youth) organizations tools to provide pupils and participants with an extra offer, an offer outside the regular curriculum and outside the repertoire that every institution for young people already has in house.
Goals
By 2024, Award Netherlands is guiding around 35 schools and organizations for young people. We call them ‘Award Centers’. These Award Centers in turn coach ca. 1,500 young people.
Our ambition is to have 60 Award Centers and coach 3,000 participants by 2027. The International Foundation aims to reach 1% of all young people between the ages of 14 and 16 worldwide with the Award programme by 2030. For the Netherlands, that would mean involving around 5,000 young people in our programme every year by then.
