Volleyball Federation of Slovenia scores big with SPORTO Sustainability Award

At this year’s SPORTO Conference, where top sports marketing and sponsorship projects are nominated and awarded, the Slovenian Volleyball Federation (OZS) together with NLB d.d., stood out by winning the SPORTO Sustainability Award for innovative project: “Sustainability of the Volleyball Nations League Tournament.” 

Recognising that sporting events have a significant impact on the environment, society, and the economy, the Volleyball Federation of Slovenia sees sustainable event management as essential. Environmental impact at the VNL tournament was first measured in 2024, and this year the Federation upgraded their efforts even further. The VNL 2025 tournament was selected as one of only seven leading FIVB events chosen to pilot a new tool designed to simplify and improve the accuracy of sustainability data collection.

A strong emphasis was also placed on promoting sustainable behaviour among visitors during the tournament held in Ljubljana. Spectators were encouraged to arrive on foot, by bike, by bus, or through carpooling. Parking at the Stožice Arena was offered free of charge for vehicles with three or more passengers, thereby motivating fans to choose more responsible travel options. Attendees were encouraged to separate waste, while cheering rattles were collected in dedicated NLB bins. Additional efforts were made to reduce the amount of waste generated per visitor and maintain an environmentally conscious approach to cheering and event participation.

Together, these actions represent significant progress towards a more sustainable event and the protection of our planet for future generations. The Volleyball Federation of Slovenia remains committed to further strengthening these initiatives also throughout the VNL 2026.

Photo credit: Vid Ponikvar/Sport Media Focus