FIVB FoundationVolleyball Foundation
On International Women’s Day, and every day, the Volleyball Foundation works to support the empowerment of women and girls across its global projects
Since its launch in 2024, the FIVB Volleyball Foundation has worked to use the global reach and power of volleyball to uplift communities worldwide. A central pillar of this mission is empowering women and girls – both on and off the court – by creating opportunities through sport, education and personal development.
In addition, in 2025, the Foundation welcomed HRH Princess Ayah Bint Faisal as its new President. A long-standing advocate for increasing the visibility and influence of women in sport, both as athletes and in leadership roles, Princess Ayah has consistently highlighted volleyball’s ability to bring people together while teaching values such as discipline, teamwork and resilience. Under her leadership, the Foundation continues to strengthen its commitment to creating inclusive environments where women and girls can thrive.
Further, across its projects, the Foundation supports projects that help to break down barriers to participation while encouraging confidence, leadership and new opportunities for women and girls in their communities.
For example, in India, the Brahmaputra Volleyball League has engaged over ten thousand young people through grassroots volleyball programmes, creating meaningful opportunities for girls to develop their skills and confidence through sport. The programme also supports leadership pathways for women, including initiatives that bring female coaches together to share knowledge and strengthen coaching capacity. Recent initiatives supported by the FIVB Volleyball Foundation have enabled girls’ U12 and U16 champion teams from Assam, India, to participate in the Kanya Kiran “Girl Sunshine” Mass Participation Programme in Bhubaneswar.
During the event, the girls took part in skill sessions, mini-matches and interactive drills, gaining practical experience, building teamwork and developing self-confidence in a supportive environment. Alongside the players, BVL coaches attended a four-day Knowledge Transfer Programme to strengthen coaching capacity, promote leadership and share best practices in empowering female athletes.
Also in 2025, the BVL took another major step forward through a landmark partnership project with UNICEF titled “Empowering 90 Adolescent Leaders through Volleyball to End Child Marriage, Keep Girls in School & Build Climate Resilience”. Across 13 districts of Assam, children and coaches are now being trained not only as athletes, but as young advocates standing up against child marriage, school dropouts and climate challenges in their communities.
In Jordan, the Volleyball for Protection and Peace initiative, delivered in partnership with Generations for Peace (GFP) and supported by the FIVB Volleyball Foundation, is providing structured volleyball activities that go beyond sport. The programme engages 100 young people – evenly split between girls and boys aged 10 to 24 – including displaced youth, survivors of gender-based violence, out-of-school children and young people with disabilities. Through the sessions, participants develop not only volleyball skills but also critical life skills such as teamwork, resilience, leadership and communication. The programme integrates psychosocial support and structured mentoring to help participants cope with trauma, build confidence, and develop a sense of belonging.
Meanwhile, in Vanuatu, the Volley4Change programme is using volleyball to promote social inclusion, gender equality and healthier lifestyles. The initiative encourages women, girls and people with disabilities to participate actively in sport while developing leadership skills within their communities. Volley4Change works with families, community leaders and local schools to challenge traditional norms and create supportive environments for these groups to thrive. The programme also integrates health and nutrition education, promoting physical activity and wellbeing as key elements of personal and community development.
Programmes such as Beyond the Net in Ethiopia and the Githurai Kimbo Volleyball Academy in Kenya, are also doing incredible work in shaping the future of young girls.
Impact is being delivered through these programmes, where volleyball is combined with education, mentorship and community support to help young people build stronger futures through volleyball.
As the FIVB Volleyball Foundation continues to grow and widen its impact across projects globally, empowering women and girls remains a key focus across its programmes and partnerships. Through volleyball, the Foundation aims to create opportunities that help women and girls build confidence, develop skills and strengthen communities around the world.
