The Volleyball4Life programme of the Dutch Volleyball Federation (Nevobo) has been nominated for the prestigious Peace and Sport Award Sport for Development and Peace Programme of the Year. The award is presented to organisations that make an important contribution to a better world through sport. The winner will be announced online on December 14th.This nomination is a recognition for the impact Nevobo creates with the Volleyball4Life programme for girls in Nepal. Volleyball4Life uses the strength and unique elements of volleyball for the empowerment of girls, with the ultimate aim that 12-18 year-old girls develop skills to assert themselves and make their own decisions in life. Girls have access to personal coaching, volleyball drills and games and community involvement for sustainability.Volleyball4Life started as the life goal of Nepali ex-international volleyball player and role-model Kopila Upreti. Born and raised in difficult circumstances in a rural village, she faced tremendous challenges, but finally managed to build up an independent future through volleyball. Her
documentary shows the path she took. Now Kopila coordinates the programme activities and educates teachers and coaches. She uses her experiences to empower girls, teaches them to stand up for themselves and to make their own decisions. They feel confident to play sports and to take a position in the community. The neutral language and elements of sports are the foundations for personal and community development.For the implementation of Volleyball4Life, Nevobo teamed up with several NGO's: Child Watabaran Centre Nepal, Net4Kids and ISA Youth. These partnerships assure financial and operational sustainability as well as ongoing development of the programme. In 2021 Volleyball4Life will expand to Senegal, Rwanda, Gambia, Niger and Lesotho in cooperation with World2Win and OlympAfrica.To learn more about Volleyball4Life, follow the link
here.