Ukraine’s ‘Volia’ – among the democratic values in sport within the European VALUE COMPASS project

VALUE COMPASS is an international project that helps sports organisations to embed democratic values into their day-to-day activities. This encompasses equal opportunities in sport, athletes’ participation in decision-making, transparency in governance, respect for human dignity and accountability. As part of the project, partners are developing shared definitions of these values, a practical guide and a digital self-assessment tool, which will enable sports organisations to analyse their own practices and identify areas for improvement.

The project is being implemented in 2026–2027 with co-funding from the European Union under the Erasmus+ Sport programme. It brings together the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), the National Olympic Committees of Ukraine, Poland, Estonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the University of Bielefeld and kultwerk GmbH.

The meeting in Sarajevo marked the transition from national discussions to the formation of a shared European vision. Participants compared their countries’ experiences, clarified the content of the values and discussed their application within the sporting environment.

The Ukrainian framework was developed during a national workshop on 17 June 2026 at the Olympic House in Kyiv. Its 26 participants, representing almost all key groups within the Ukrainian sporting ecosystem, identified ten values, amongst which ‘Volia’ held a special place.

At the European stage, it retained its Ukrainian name – Volia – which combines freedom, inner resolve and the ability to act responsibly. In sport, this means choosing one’s own path, persisting towards one’s goals and upholding one’s principles, whilst respecting the rights and dignity of others.

Olga Danko, head of the VALUE COMPASS project at the NOC of Ukraine, noted: “It was important for the NOC of Ukraine to convey the depth of ‘Volia’ – a combination of freedom of choice, inner strength and responsibility for one’s actions. When democracy is put to the test, the willingness to defend its values takes on particular significance. The inclusion of ‘Volia’ in the joint list allows us to develop the Ukrainian experience together with our European partners and seek its practical application in sport.”

Ukraine, in the face of Russian aggression, is defending its independence, freedom and the right to a democratic future. This experience lends ‘Volia’ particular weight and makes it relevant to the wider European dialogue in these politically turbulent times.

The importance of actively defending democracy is also recognised in Germany, Poland, Estonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the approach to a self-defending democracy involves countering extremism and supporting democratic participation. For the sporting community, this responsibility manifests itself in a willingness to respond to discrimination, to defend people’s right to be heard, and to uphold democratic principles in day-to-day decisions.

“Ukraine is defending its freedom and its right to a democratic future. Every day, our athletes demonstrate resilience, strength of will and mutual support. It is important that Ukraine’s experience contributes to a shared European vision of democratic values in sport. We strive to ensure that these values are reflected in the concrete actions of sporting organisations,” commented Vadym Guttsait, President of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine.

The preliminary list covers cooperation, fairness in sporting interactions, inclusion, freedom, participation, accountability, responsibility, equality, solidarity, respect, dignity, self-efficacy, honesty, transparency, integrity, development, tolerance, freedom, and recognition of the contributions made by individuals and organisations.

As a next step, Bielefeld University will refine the wording and group related values into thematic clusters. On this basis, the partners will develop practical recommendations and a digital tool for sports organisations. 

The NOC of Ukraine will continue to work on the project materials to ensure that Ukraine’s contribution is reflected in the joint outcomes and that the approaches developed can be applied in Ukrainian sport.

VALUE COMPASS is a collaborative project co-funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ Sport programme. The project will run from January 2026 to December 2027 and aims to develop a shared vision and ensure the practical implementation of democratic values in sport across Europe. Its outcomes are designed to be used by national Olympic committees, sports federations, regional organisations, clubs and volunteers in various countries.

Co-funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme. The European Commission’s support for the preparation of this publication does not imply endorsement of its contents, which reflect only the views of the authors, and the Commission accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of the information contained in this publication.