Gabriela Drastichová has led the National DOFE Centre since June 1, 2024. Previously, she spent six years managing the Czech Radio Foundation, where she developed the Ježíškova vnoučata (Santa’s Grandchildren) and Světluška (Firefly) projects. She has spent the majority of her career in the non-profit sector, focusing on social innovation, social enterprises, and social-impact startups. She has long focused on supporting the education and development of both young people and adults.

What is DOFE and how exactly does it help young people?
DOFE is an international programme for young people aged 13 to 24. Participants choose their own activities and set their own goals in four areas: regular exercise, skills development and volunteering. The programme also includes a multi-day expedition with a team. They do not compete with others, but with themselves. That is precisely where the main benefit lies. Young people learn to plan, take responsibility for their own decisions and see things through to the end, even when they lose motivation. The programme has three levels – bronze, silver and gold – and the time spent working on the goals varies from half a year to a year and a half.

Can absolutely anyone take part in DOFE? And how do you sign up?
DOFE has no entry requirements other than age, and even that has its purpose. Aimed at 13- and 14-year-olds in Years 8 and 9 of primary school, DOFE can be used as a replacement for after-school clubs – which Czech children usually stop attending in Year 7 – or as a way to practise making decisions about what to do after primary school, as well as a structured framework for preparing for entrance exams. At secondary school, DOFE can be integrated very effectively with the school curriculum; it teaches young people how to learn independently – how to set an appropriate goal, learn new skills that will help them achieve it, persevere even when it is not always easy, and reflect on what they are learning and how they can apply it to their everyday lives. The beauty of DOFE also lies in the fact that it naturally encourages young people to take an interest in themselves and their surroundings; serving others is an important part of the programme. Young people at school can sign up for the DOFE programme; there are now more than 450 of them in DOFE. And if they do not have that opportunity, DOFE Online is available to them, where they are guided by trained mentors from companies, universities or programme alumni themselves. They can get started with DOFE at https://dofe.cz/zacni-s-dofe.

What surprises students most about DOFE?
For some of them, it is their very first experience of taking control of their own learning – they decide for themselves what they want to learn, how and at what pace, and what they want to achieve. They may also be surprised by the different kind of relationship and collaboration with their mentor, which is based on partnership rather than hierarchy. They walk the DOFE path together and learn together. The mentor does not lecture, but helps the young person make sense of what they are going through when they lose motivation or confidence, or encounter relationships they have not experienced before. And I can well imagine that it may also come as a surprise just how long three months can feel when I have to devote at least one hour a week to each of the three activities on a regular basis. We adults know this all too well from our New Year’s resolutions 😊

Quotes from students:

“DOFE taught me that I don’t have to be perfectly prepared from the start, nor certain of success; all I need is the courage to start and keep going. When I’m faced with something new today, I try not to think about whether I’m good enough for it, but rather about what I can gain and learn if I give it a go. (Tereza Vorlová, DOFE Gold Level graduate)“

„DOFE has taught me that I don’t have to be perfectly prepared from the start, nor do I have to be certain of success; all I need is the courage to start and keep going. Now, when I’m faced with something new, I try not to dwell on whether I’m good enough, but rather on what I can gain and learn by giving it a go. (David Konvalina, DOFE Gold Level graduate)“

And what surprised you? Is there anything the students learnt or tried out thanks to DOFE that you wouldn’t have expected?
That’s a lovely question. Actually, I never cease to be amazed that young people manage to stick with it so consistently for so long. I’m a very restless person myself; I like to jump from one activity to another and find it hard to ‘stick with something’. I admire anyone – especially at an age when attention spans are measured in seconds – who manages to maintain their focus and interest in three activities on a regular basis for such a long time. I love seeing how brave and creative young people are when they choose what they want to learn and what they want to try – sewing a suit for their school-leavers’ ball, building a prototype of smart glasses for people with visual impairments, preparing a five-course meal for their family, or travelling to Tanzania to help children at risk.

What will they take away from the programme for the rest of their lives?
First and foremost, they’ll gain experience and memories. Whilst completing the DOFE, they’ll realise that they can decide to do something and actually go ahead and do it. That just because they can’t do something yet doesn’t mean it’s not for them, but that they can learn it. And they’ll understand the value and meaning of working for others. That their lives can be so much richer when they live them with an interest in the lives of those around them – a friend or neighbour who needs help, support or simply the feeling that someone is thinking of them. If I were to describe the benefits of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in figures, 80 per cent of participants feel more resilient, 96 per cent have tried something new, and 83 per cent see challenges as opportunities for personal development. And, of course, a tangible outcome is the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award itself – an accolade awarded to anyone who manages to achieve their goals consistently and over the long term. The international certificate is useful for admissions to secondary schools and universities, as well as later on in a CV. Schools and employers recognise what it stands for: the ability to persevere with one’s own goals without anyone having to force the issue.

Do you know anyone who might benefit from DOFE? The programme is aimed at young people aged 13 to 24. If you know a young person who might be interested, send them the link or tell them about the programme. You can find out more at https://dofe.cz/zacni-s-dofe.