Through the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032, volleyball is reaching more people than ever before
The FIVB proudly joins the global sporting community in celebrating the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP), a day dedicated to showcasing the power of sport to drive social change, facilitate inclusion and build stronger communities worldwide.
In line with this year’s theme, “Levelling the Playing Field: Sport for Social Inclusion”, the FIVB reaffirms its commitment to ensuring volleyball remains a force for good, particularly through its FIVB Volleyball Foundation and the long-term vision set out in the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032.
Empowering communities through the FIVB Volleyball Foundation
Sport has long been a unifying force, transcending borders, cultures and backgrounds to bring people together. Volleyball has a proven ability to connect communities, and the FIVB is ensuring that more people than ever have access to the sport. In May 2024, the FIVB launched the FIVB Volleyball Foundation, a groundbreaking initiative that uses the global reach and power of volleyball to support community projects worldwide that have a positive impact.
One of the Foundation’s first major initiatives took place in Thailand, where, in collaboration with the Thailand Volleyball Association (TVA), it hosted a mass participation event during the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2024 Women’s Finals in Bangkok. Hundreds of children were given the chance to take part in a unique, immersive volleyball experience, called ‘Green Volleyball’ – a combination of volleyball and rice planting designed to promote sustainable farming practices. The participants also had the opportunity to play and train with volleyball legends, such as Feng Kun, Elizaveta Bracht, Nootsara Tomkom, Pleumjit Thinkaow and Amorntep Konhan.
In India, the Volleyball Foundation partnered with the Brahmaputra Volleyball League (BVL), a grassroots initiative in Assam that has introduced volleyball to over 10,000 children, giving them access to structured training, equipment and the opportunity to develop crucial life skills. Meanwhile, in Kenya, the Volleyball Foundation has supported the Githurai Kimbo Volleyball Academy, offering not only volleyball training but also educational support and mentorship. These projects are a testament to the power of volleyball in transforming lives beyond the court.
The Foundation’s impact was further evident in October 2024, when it hosted the KISS Volleyball Foundation Festival in Bhubaneswar, India. The festival was an extraordinary celebration of volleyball, drawing over 40,000 children, including 5,000 players, for a weekend of training, competition and community events. The event made history by breaking the Guinness World Record for the most players in a volleyball exhibition match, with 430 participants coming together in a single game – surpassing the previous record by an impressive 136 players. The scale and success of the event demonstrated volleyball’s ability to unite communities through sport.
Later that year, in Doha, Qatar, the Foundation hosted a volleyball activation event at Al Gharafa Beach Complex, for children from schools across Qatar. This was in collaboration with the Qatar Volleyball Association (QVA), Qatar Foundation, and the West Asian Volleyball Association (WAVA). The event offered a unique opportunity for the young participants to engage in exciting volleyball activities across 10 courts and interact with some of the most iconic figures in volleyball. These included Olympians and Volleyball Foundation ambassadors Louise Bawden, Doaa Elghobashy, Elizaveta Bracht, Ahmed Tijan, Cherif Younousse, Tina Graudina and Anastasija Samoilova.
The future is bright through the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032
The success of the Volleyball Foundation in only its first year of operation reflects the FIVB’s broader mission, as outlined in its FIVB Strategic Vision 2032, which is built on the principle of “Together as One.” At its core, this vision strives to ensure that volleyball continues to grow at both grassroots and elite levels, empowering the Global Volleyball Movement and creating opportunities for people everywhere to participate in and benefit from the sport.
The FIVB’s commitment to this vision was evident in January 2025, when an FIVB delegation attended the BVL Finals in India. Reflecting on the impact of volleyball in the region, FIVB President Fabio Azevedo stated at the time:
“At the heart of the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032 is that every single player, young person, athlete and fan counts. Fans and athletes must always be at the centre of all our actions. That is exactly what I have seen here at the BVL Finals. Volleyball has the power to bring people together and make the world a better place. I have never been more certain of that following everything I have seen and experienced over the past few days.”
This dedication to expanding access to volleyball was further reinforced during the FIVB Commission meetings in February 2025, where the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment Commission reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating the sport’s growth at all levels.
The FIVB Athletes’ Commission President Louise Bawden echoed this sentiment, stating:
“Fundamentally, it is about creating opportunities and positive experiences at all levels. We want to ensure that both current and aspiring athletes feel empowered and supported. We want the entire Global Volleyball Movement to grow, and to do that, we need to continue inspiring both current and future generations to engage in our sport.”
As the world celebrates IDSDP, the FIVB remains committed to ensuring that volleyball continues to serve as a catalyst for positive change. Whether through the initiatives of the Volleyball Foundation, the vision outlined in FIVB Strategic Vision 2032, or the ongoing efforts of the Global Volleyball Movement, the sport is reaching more people than ever before – long may that continue!
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