The International Award Association and International Secretariat are purely service and administration organisations with no direct responsibilities for the activities of the young people seeking to achieve an Award. Their role does not extend to the actual operation of the Award within a country. This is the responsibility of the relevant NAAs and IOs whose responsibility is to ensure the proper running and, together with the participants themselves, the safety of all Award Programmes operated by them.

The Award is flexible and can be done by anyone aged 14–25 in their own time: mental or physical ability or social circumstances should never be a barrier. Moreover, the individual chooses what activities to do depending on his/her interests and resources. If you are over 25 then do not despair! You too can get involved by becoming an Award leader, the backbone of the Award Programme and the key to its success.

There are three levels of the Award in which you can participate - Bronze, Silver and Gold, with each successive level demanding increased commitment

• BRONZE—for those over 14. The minimum period of participation to gain this Award is 6 months;

• SILVER—for those over 15. The minimum period of participation to gain this Award is 12 months;

• GOLD—for those over 16. The minimum period of participation to gain this Award is 18 months.

You do not have to start at the Bronze level. If you are over 15 you can join directly at the Silver level or if you are over 16, directly at Gold.