Gaisce – The President’s Award is a self-development programme for young people between the ages of 15-25, which is proven* to enhance confidence and wellbeing through participation in personal, physical, community and team challenges. It is a direct challenge from the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, to all young people to dream big and realise their potential.
Gaisce is non-competitive and self-directed: participants progress along each award level (Bronze, Silver or Gold) choosing personal, physical and community activities they wish to undertake and taking part in an adventure journey also. A trained adult mentor, their President’s Award Leader (PAL), supports them throughout the process. The more time and energy participants give, the greater the reward.
Young people who complete the Gaisce programme, receive a medal and certificate signed by the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins. Should they progress to achieve a Gold award, Michael D. Higgins presents them with this at a special ceremony in Dublin Castle.
Gaisce is active across all 26 counties and, through the Joint Award Initiative, an innovating partnership with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, young people living in Northern Ireland are able to achieve a Gaisce Award at any level too. The Gaisce Award is also recognised by employers, nonprofits and community organisations across Ireland and in more than 130 countries world-wide where similar awards exist.
To date, more than 480,000 young people have registered for Gaisce and over 250,000 young people have achieved a Gaisce Award. In 2023 more than 25,000 young people registered for the Gaisce Challenge. Almost 15,000 followed through pursuing the award supported by 325,000 volunteer hours invested by Gaisce participants in their communities and a total of 776 organisations nationwide.
Gaisce celebrates the individuality of each participant and ensures while there are many pathways to achieving a Gaisce Award, each Gaisce journey is as unique and expansive as our participants determine and equally recognised.
For more information, please visit www.gaisce.ie
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*Gaisce Impact Report 2023