The Award Programme grew out of the efforts of three men, who were responding to a common anxiety about how best to engage young people.
After the war there was a growing concern about the development of boys, due to the gap between leaving school at 15 and entering National Service at 18.
The Programme is operated in Israel as a not-for-profit organisation chaired by Nathan Wolloch, Deputy Mayor of Tel Aviv-Yafo, in a joint effort with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Society Administration.
The uniqueness of the Programme lies in its multiculturalism and its openness to young people from all sectors of society – religious or socio-economic.
Based on the philosophy of Hahn, founder and headmaster of Gordonstoun School in Scotland, the Programme was designed around four sections: Rescue & Public Service Training, the Expedition, Pursuits & Projects, and Fitness.
Hahn’s ideas were considered progressive at the time, but today they remain as relevant as ever to young people living in a complex modern society.
Specifically, his reading of Plato taught Hahn that education should bring about the balanced development of all human elements, in terms of body, mind, and soul.
Hahn believed that the Award Programme would offer its participants a chance to realize their personality and their abilities - something that he considered to be a necessary step in the self-development of youth.
The founder of the Programme, the Duke of Edinburgh, believed that every young person, anywhere around the world, at the right age, has the potential to participate in the Award and to complete the Levels successfully.
Only specific details within the frame were modified, naturally due to the accumulated experience and for the purpose of maintaining the relevance of the Programme, in terms of its ability to fulfill the changing needs of young people today.
Entering directly to Silver is possible, but there are further requirements: In Israel, this section is filled by a journey made not by the participants but the Award holder and authority.
There are five sections to complete at Gold Level: In Israel, the Adventurous Journey is not made by the participants but the Award holder and authority.
The Programme is unique due to the fact that young people aged 14–25 from diverse backgrounds take part in it, as well as its ability to develop their skills and discover their goals.
The Award enables young people to realize their potential by developing their creativity; increasing their general knowledge and helping them reach higher achievements.
The Programme educates young people to use their spare time constructively through four fields of activities: hobbies and skills, sports and recreation, expeditions and community service.
It allows personal growth and self-discovery through gradual transformation, starting at Bronze Level, moving on to Silver and finally reaching Gold.