The NOC of Ukraine has received a grant from the European Union to advance inclusion and gender equality in sport
The National Olympic Committee of Ukraine is joining the implementation of an international project aimed at promoting European and Olympic standards of inclusive governance in sport. The initiative brings together partners from Ukraine, Moldova, and the academic community in Vienna (Austria), strengthening European integration processes in the field of sport.
The National Olympic Committee of Ukraine announces the launch of the international project ALIGN (Advancing Leadership and Inclusion in Governance of Sport), which unites partner organisations from Ukraine, Moldova, and Austria. The project aims to strengthen the institutional capacity of sports organisations to implement principles of equality, inclusion, and transparent governance in line with European and Olympic standards.
The project includes a comprehensive analysis of the state of gender equality and inclusion in the sports sectors of Ukraine and Moldova, followed by the development of practical solutions for sports organisations. Based on these findings, tailored resources and tools will be created to support the effective implementation of modern governance approaches.
The key focus is on practical change: training sports leaders, developing and implementing strategic plans, and providing mentoring support to organisations. A distinct innovative component will be a digital learning tool — a multilingual online chatbot that will provide guidance and access to knowledge on gender equality and inclusion in sport.
As a result of the project, the National Olympic Committees and sports federations of Ukraine and Moldova will gain tools to implement relevant policies, contributing to the development of a sustainable culture of responsible and inclusive governance.
President of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, Vadym Guttsait, stated:“We see this grant as an important step in strengthening the Ukrainian sports sector and its integration into the European space. We are shaping a modern model of sports governance based on the principles of equality, transparency, and openness, and this project enhances our capacity to implement these standards in practice.”
Chair of the NOC Ukraine Commission “Athlete Entourage” and Coordinator of European Cooperation Projects, Olga Danko, emphasized: “This project opens new opportunities for developing an inclusive sports environment and strengthening the role of women and underrepresented groups in decision-making. Cooperation with European partners enables the creation of effective tools for long-term change.”
ALIGN is a capacity-building project implemented within the framework of the Erasmus+ Sport programme and co-funded by the European Union. Its objective is to strengthen the institutional capacity of sports organisations in implementing principles of gender equality, inclusion, and good governance in sport.