DofE launches new five-year strategy to help millions of young people become “world ready”

As it celebrates five consecutive years of record-breaking participation, DofE has today renewed its call for universal access to enrichment opportunities – and unveils plans to equip more than two million young people with skills for life and work by 2031.

Within the next five years, the charity wants to equip more young people with the skills, confidence and resilience they need to transition to adulthood, focusing on expanding access to DofE through schools and colleges and reaching the least advantaged young people. 

Around a third of pupils in state schools, and 50% of the most disadvantaged students, don’t achieve a standard pass in their English and maths GCSEs each year1, while a staggering 957,000 16 to 24-year-olds are not in employment, education or training2. However, research3 shows that a DofE experience positively impacts young people, helping them develop the confidence and human skills that are crucial for adulthood and employment. Importantly, the evidence4 suggests these benefits can be even greater for less advantaged young people. 

Commenting on the importance of enriching experiences beyond the classroom, Ruth Marvel OBE, CEO of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, said:  

“Meaningful enrichment is essential to preparing young people for adulthood. In the face of dizzying global, technological and social change and uncertainty, equipping young people with the human skills that matter most – resilience, adaptability, confidence and purpose – is more important than ever. The DofE gives young people the chance to develop those skills through real‑life experiences that help them feel world ready. 

“Over the last five years, our advocacy has helped drive a step-change in political recognition of the value of enrichment and non‑formal learning. That growing support from Governments across the UK gives us confidence to go further. Encouraged by our success so far, we are redoubling our efforts to reach even more young people. Through our World Ready strategy, published today, we aim to give two million young people a life‑changing DofE experience by 2031 and, working with our incredible partners, ensure every young person, whatever their background, can access meaningful enrichment opportunities in education and community settings.” 

As the DofE charity launches its renewed mission to help young people become world ready, it also celebrates the incredible impact it has had over the last five years. Between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2026, the DofE charity has seen: 

• Record‑breaking participation numbers with over 1.6 million young people starting a life-changing DofE Award; a 27% growth in comparison to 2016-21.

• Over 21 million hours of volunteering given by young people through their DofE; from helping at food banks and care homes, coaching sports and mentoring younger children, to litter picking and supporting the NHS. 

• Volunteering through DofE having a financial value of £130,829,797. 

• Expanded access to DofE programmes with over 800 mainstream secondary schools and 500 SEND settings, and 300 community organisations starting to offer DofE. Additionally, the DofE has expanded into prisons and Young Offenders Institutions, with 59 prisons and Young Offenders Institutions in the UK started delivering the DofE. 

• More young people from marginalised communities have started a life-changing Award; over 249,000 young people experiencing poverty, over 123,000 young people with additional needs and over 438,000 young people from minority ethnic backgrounds. Over 300 secondary schools in the most deprived areas started delivering DofE. 

• With thanks to the support of our generous partners and donors, the DofE has distributed over £4.2m in funding, removing financial barriers to support over 111,500 less advantaged young people to have a DofE experience. 

Anais, 18, who achieved her Gold Award through the New Forest Open Centre, said: “DofE gives you the chance to push yourself, try new things and realise what you’re capable of – and that’s especially important because those opportunities don’t always come easily. This new strategy is about opening the doors for so many more young people to have those experiences. Through my Award, I’ve grown in confidence, learned skills I’ll use for life, and feel much more ready to take on whatever comes next. Every young person should get that chance.”  

To build on the success of the last five years and give even more young people a life-changing DofE experience by 2031 – the DofE charity is redoubling its efforts on delivering the greatest impact for young people and the communities they live in.  

Ruth said: “DofE is made possible by our incredible network of adult leaders, volunteers, and partners who go the extra mile for young people every day. We are so grateful for their time and passion and as we look ahead, we are committed to supporting them even more – improving processes, systems and offering more flexible ways to deliver the programme – so they can focus their time and energy on what matters most: inspiring, supporting and developing young people.” 

Find out more about the our impact and ambitions for the future.