Youth Achievement Awards were created and developed by UK Youth and ASDAN.  They were introduced in 1997 and are well established in a wide range of youth organisations, schools and educational projects.  Building on their success, the Youth Challenges were launched in 2002 meeting the demand for similar Awards for the lower age group.  In all levels of the Awards young people are encouraged to take on progressive levels of responsibility through involvement in a wide range of self-identified activities. 

The Levels of the Awards

Youth Challenge (11-13/14 years) – is a 30-hour programme comprising of six five-hour activities with a central element of peer assessment supported by the Award Group Worker.  Encouraging young people to take part in activities is the focus at this first level

Youth Challenge Extra – This 30-hour programme can be used as a progression from the Youth Challenge or as direct entry for a young person capable of demonstrating the ability to help organise Bronze Youth Achievement Award (14 years +) – This Award encourages young people to take part in peer group activities.  To complete Bronze young people need to undertake four 15-hour challenges supported by the Award Group Worker

Silver Youth Achievement Award – This Award comprises of six 15-hour challenges and encourages young people to help to organise their own activities.  By taking an increased level of responsibility and helping to organise the activities they are making a vital contribution to ensuring that the activity takes place

Gold Youth Achievement Award – This Award requires the young person to complete five 15 hour challenges and make a presentation.  The focus in Gold is on planning, organising and leading activities.  Significant responsibility will be demonstrated at this level.

Platinum Youth Achievement Award (16 years +) – Platinum is the highest level of the Awards and, although similar in structure to the other levels, direction is provided on the activities that must take place.  The Award includes a total of approximately 120 hours participation.  This Award requires the young person to go through processes that will help them to develop the skills to take on a leadership role – and because of this young people need to be over 16 when they start the award.  The young person is required to produce a personal development plan, undertake training, undertake placements working with young people, produce an evaluation of their progress, and then prepare for and give a presentation. Whilst this award is more prescriptive in content than any of the other awards, if successfully completed it will have prepared the young person with the skills and background to make an active and positive contribution to youth work.