About The Award
Gaisce – the President’s Award is Ireland’s very own National Challenge Award, the country’s most prestigious and respected individual award programme, and a challenge from the President of Ireland, to you… the nation’s future.
What’s it all about?
Gaisce – the President’s Award works on the basis of a personal challenge set by you. You will set the challenge and agree it with a President’s Award leader. You won’t be competing with other participants, as each challenge is completely individual… so the only person you’ll compete with is yourself.
How does it work?
There are three different types of award that you can earn – bronze, silver and gold. The minimum age for the bronze award is 15. It is earned over a minimum period of 6 months. If you want something a little more testing, the minimum age for the silver award is 16. It is earned over a minimum period of 12 months. Or if you’re up to the challenge, the gold award is our most demanding challenge, and the minimum age for this award is 17. It is earned over a minimum period of 18 months.
How to earn an award?
There are four different challenge areas. To earn an award, you will need to participate in each of the four challenge areas. You might decide to build on an activity you’ve tried in the past. Each participant must participate in at least one new activity to earn an award.
Our four challenge areas are:
1. Community Involvement
2. Personal Skill
3. Physical Recreation
4. Adventure Journey
A Residential Project is required for the Gold Award
Who can compete for the President’s Award?The Award programme is open to all young people between the ages of 15 and 25. Anyone can take part as long as you’re self-motivated and up to the challenge.