Terms and Conditions - FRIENDS OF NATURE (FON-CYPRUS) LTD

Friends of Nature (FoN-Cyprus) Ltd

Terms and Conditions for the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Programme

Introduction

These Terms and Conditions govern participation in the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Programme as delivered in Cyprus by Friends of Nature (FoN-Cyprus) Ltd, a licensed Independent Award Centre (IAC).

By completing registration, parents/guardians and participants agree to these Terms and commit to following the policies and procedures of Friends of Nature (FoN-Cyprus) Ltd.

Eligibility

Bronze Award: minimum age 14 years.
Silver Award: minimum age 15 years.
Gold Award: minimum age 16 years.
Participants must be resident in Cyprus or otherwise accepted by Friends of Nature (FoN-Cyprus) Ltd.
A parent/guardian must complete registration for participants under the age of 18.

Programme Structure

The Award is structured around Service, Skills, Physical Recreation, and the Adventurous Journey.
At Gold level, participants must also complete a Residential Project.
.All activities must be pre-approved by Award Leaders of Friends of Nature (FoN-Cyprus) Ltd.

Fees and Payments

Fees are payable at the time of registration and are published on the official Pricing page of Friends of Nature (FoN-Cyprus) Ltd.
Fees include the International Award Foundation’s Participant Registration Fee (PRF).
Payment may be made as a one-time amount or via installment plans, as offered.
Participants paying by installments must adhere to published payment deadlines.
Participants who have not fully settled their fees before their first training or practice hike may not be allowed to attend.

Refund Policy

Registration & Processing Fee: Non-refundable.
Programme Participation Fee: Refundable only until the participant attends their first meeting or activates their Online Record Book (ORB). Thereafter, non-refundable.
Expedition Fees (Practice or Qualifying Journeys): Refundable only if the participant has not yet booked a place on the relevant journey.

Responsibilities of Parents/Guardians and Participants

All information provided during registration must be accurate and kept up to date.
Parents/guardians must ensure that emergency and medical information is updated before each Adventurous Journey.
Participants are expected to commit fully to their chosen activities, attend scheduled sessions, and complete all Award requirements.

Code of Conduct

All participants must follow the official Participant Code of Conduct issued by Friends of Nature (FoN-Cyprus) Ltd.

The Code outlines the standards of behaviour expected during all Award activities, including Adventurous Journeys.
Breaches of the Code may result in disciplinary action, suspension, or removal from the Award Programme without refund.

Health and Safety

Parents/guardians are required to disclose relevant medical information before participation in activities.
Participants must follow all safety instructions given by Award Leaders and Supervisors.
Friends of Nature (FoN-Cyprus) Ltd maintains liability insurance; however, parents/guardians retain overall responsibility for the wellbeing of their child.

Data Protection

Friends of Nature (FoN-Cyprus) Ltd processes personal data of participants and parents/guardians solely for the purposes of administering the Award Programme.
Data may be shared with the International Award Foundation (for the Online Record Book) and with expedition providers where necessary.
All data is handled in accordance with the Privacy Policy of Friends of Nature (FoN-Cyprus) Ltd, available on our website.

Complaints and Safeguarding Concerns

Concerns, complaints, or safeguarding issues can be reported via the official online forms provided by Friends of Nature (FoN-Cyprus) Ltd.
Links to these forms are available through the portal and on request.

Cancellations and Changes

Friends of Nature (FoN-Cyprus) Ltd reserves the right to reschedule or cancel activities due to safety, weather, or operational reasons.
Participants will be informed of alternative arrangements where possible.

Website and Portal Use

Access: Registered participants and their parents/guardians will be provided with access to the Friends of Nature (FoN-Cyprus) Ltd online portal. Access is personal and must not be shared with others.
Content: The portal may contain course materials, resources, manuals, and other documents. These materials are provided solely for use within the Award Programme.
Copyright: All content remains the property of Friends of Nature (FoN-Cyprus) Ltd or, where indicated, the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation. Materials must not be copied, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without written permission.
Downloads: Participants may download documents and resources for their own Award work. Redistribution of these files outside the Award is not permitted.
Support: The portal may also provide access to support functions (discussion groups, announcements, contact forms). Users must engage respectfully and responsibly.
Misuse: Any misuse of the portal, including inappropriate communication, sharing of login details, or unauthorised use of content, may result in withdrawal of access and/or removal from the Award Programme.

Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of the Republic of Cyprus. Any disputes shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the Cypriot courts.