The Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE) is the highest and most challenging level of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award program. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is a youth awards program founded in the United Kingdom in 1956 by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The program aims to encourage young people aged 16 to 24 to engage in a variety of activities that promote personal development and social contribution.

To achieve the Gold DofE Award, participants must complete activities in four main categories:

1. Volunteering: Participants engage in voluntary service to help others and contribute to their community. This could involve working with charities, assisting in schools, or supporting community projects.
2. Physical Activity: Participants choose and undertake a physical activity that challenges and improves their fitness level. This could include sports, dance, or other physical pursuits.
3. Skills Development: Participants select a skill they wish to develop and demonstrate progress over time. This could involve learning a musical instrument, acquiring a new language, or developing a specific craft.
4. Expedition: The expedition component involves planning, training for, and undertaking an adventurous journey in a group. Participants must navigate through a specific route, often in a wilderness setting, while demonstrating teamwork, leadership, and self-sufficiency.

Additionally, participants must complete a Residential Project, which involves spending five days and four nights away from home on a shared activity with people they do not know. This project aims to enhance participants' social skills and cultural understanding.

The Gold DofE Award is highly regarded and is recognised internationally. Achieving the Gold Award requires a significant commitment of time and effort, and participants often find the experience transformative. The program aims to develop young people into well-rounded individuals who are not only academically capable but also socially aware, physically fit, and equipped with practical skills.

The Gold DofE Award is considered a prestigious achievement, and those who successfully complete the program are celebrated for their dedication, resilience, and personal growth throughout the journey.