Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
Developing confidence, skills and independence through challenge and volunteering
One of the most outstanding aspects of our relationship with Pears Foundation is their personal engagement in our charity’s ambitions. They remain actively engaged with us, living through the ups and downs of our development and growth. Their commitment and understanding has built a strong sense of trust and mutual respect which has created a high level of confidence and ambition for our partnership. They are always keen to discuss how their support can continue to assist us in delivering our objectives.Ruth Marvel, CEO, Duke of Edinburgh's Award
DofE is an embodiment of everything Pears Foundation believes in. By empowering young people to drive their own success and offering a focus for their endeavours, DofE is investing in their lives for the long term. What they learn here stays with them as they find their path in life, whether that's their education, their career or the community they live in. This is an investment in Britain's next generation, delivered at the right time and in the right way.Sir Trevor Pears
Partner since: 2003
Funding invested: £4.9million
- Core: Unrestricted funding; policy officer
- Project: Impact research; Community projects
Pears Foundation supports organisations that give young people opportunities to develop confidence, independence and skills through experiences beyond formal education. For generations, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) has provided these opportunities at national scale, giving young people from different backgrounds and circumstances a framework in which to challenge themselves, contribute to their communities and discover what they are capable of.
Established in 1956, the DofE has become one of the UK’s best-known youth programmes, reaching millions of young people. Through volunteering, physical activity, developing new skills and completing an expedition, participants work towards Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards, gaining experiences and achievements that are recognised by employers, universities and wider society.
An important part of the DofE’s approach is that the challenge is personal. Young people choose activities that reflect their own interests and starting points, while working towards goals that require sustained commitment over time. Alongside developing practical skills, the programme creates opportunities to build confidence, resilience, teamwork and independence, and encourages young people to contribute to the communities around them.
Pears Foundation has supported the DofE for over two decades. Our partnership began with projects designed to widen access to the Award and subsequently expanded to include research into its impact and support for policy work. As our relationship and understanding of the organisation developed, we moved to unrestricted funding in 2010 and have provided this consistently ever since.
We also support the International Award for Young People in Israel and The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, extending our relationship with the Award’s approach beyond the UK.
Our long-term support helps the DofE give young people opportunities to test themselves, contribute to others and develop skills and confidence through experience. By providing unrestricted funding, we give the organisation the flexibility to continue developing and extending those opportunities across the UK.