At Vladimir’s Programming Cup 2026, 66 young creators from Ukraine and Bulgaria showcasing their Scratch projects. Despite power outages and internet disruptions, their determination shone through. Discover the winning projects, celebrate 24 prize winners, and see how Volodymyr Kotov’s legacy continues to inspire young programmers.
Every day at I WILL centres across Ukraine, children learn programming, build LEGO robots, create games and animations, and work together on technology projects. Your support provides the equipment, teachers, and classrooms that keep them learning and creating.
I WILL students are learning 3D design and printing, turning digital ideas into real objects while developing practical engineering, design, and problem-solving skills for the future. This new opportunity was made possible with support from OperationAid.
I WILL TEAM became Champions of Ukraine 2026 at the FIRST LEGO League Challenge in Kyiv, competing among 25 teams. Beyond robotics, the students developed Artifact Smart Guard, an innovative system now protecting real museum exhibits in Mykolaiv.
As robotics programs advanced, I WILL Mykolaiv needed more reliable technology to keep up with students' learning. Aging devices were making lessons less efficient, so with the support of the I Will Association, the club received 8 new tablets, protective cases, and a charging station. Children can now program and test robots directly on competition fields, spending less time struggling with technology and more time learning, creating, and experimenting.
The second wave of I Will Association’s Inner Strength resilience program was completed in 2026, helping parents and caregivers affected by war and displacement build practical skills for managing stress, restoring energy and creating greater stability for their families.
I WILL Mykolaiv expanded into a larger learning space in 2026, bringing children warmer classrooms, more reliable electricity, additional room for robotics and competition preparation, and a new space celebrating I WILL's history and student achievements.
In 2026, I Will Association completed a major upgrade of the computer classroom in Yuzhno-Ukrainsk, Ukraine, replacing outdated equipment with 8 new desktop computers and monitors, high-speed Internet and Wi-Fi, video equipment, headphones, mice, and other essential accessories. The renewed classroom gives children a safe and welcoming place to work on school assignments, build computer skills, access online educational resources, and explore digital creativity. More than a technology upgrade, this is a space where children can learn, connect, create, and discover new possibilities.
Warm holiday wishes and New Year greetings from the I Will team — with gratitude for a year of shared impact, resilience, and hope.
Vladimir’s Cup is an annual national online competition uniting young students across Ukraine through coding, animation, and digital creativity. Now in its second year, the Cup brings together children from towns and villages nationwide - celebrating imagination, resilience, and achievement.
The I Will Robotics Team, fully supported and funded by the I Will Association, proudly won 2nd place at the First LEGO League Ukraine 2025 in Kyiv!
After last year’s first-place triumph, our young innovators once again proved what teamwork, creativity, and mentorship can achieve — building robots, skills, and dreams one challenge at a time.
In May 2025, the I Will Association, together with Leadership Choices (Germany), completed a powerful Resilience and Leadership Coaching Program for teachers across Ukraine. What began as training became a journey of strength and connection — helping educators stay calm, focused, and hopeful in uncertain times. Through shared stories and expert guidance, teachers rediscovered their confidence and community. The I Will Association continues to stand beside those who inspire the next generation — proving there is strength, hope, and heart in every classroom.
In 2025, the I Will Association launched 7 new LEGO® robotics groups for 56 children aged 7–10, giving them the chance to start coding earlier and continue learning without interruption.
On October 23, the I Will Cup – Vladimir’s Youth Competition 2024 united 106 children from 25 Ukrainian towns in a national coding contest inspired by Vladimir Kotov’s legacy.
Students created animations, games, and stories — and families called the event “magical,” saying it showed their kids they are seen and valued.
On October 23, the I Will Association honoured its founder, Vladimir Kotov, by lighting the annual I Will Candle — a tradition that symbolizes knowledge, hope, and kindness. The celebration also marked annually the I Will Cup – Vladimir’s Youth Competition in programming and technology.
In June 2023, the I Will Association proudly upgraded its first computer class in Yuzhnoukrainsk, Ukraine, giving more children access to modern technology and digital learning. The updated space helps students explore coding and creativity, carrying forward Vladimir Kotov’s legacy of opportunity, education, and hope for every child’s brighter future.
The I Will Association proudly celebrates 20 years of bringing hope, learning, and opportunity to children across Ukraine. Since 2002, our donors and volunteers have helped create classrooms, joyful memories, and brighter futures. Join us in looking back at two decades of impact and happiness.
Meet I Will Code School, an independent space where children learn programming, robotics, and engineering through hands-on lessons, teamwork, and creativity.
On March 10, 2017, the I Will Association held the 2nd I Will Programming & Robotics Festival — one of the most successful learning events in our history. Children from across the Mykolaiv region shared their projects, learned from each other, and celebrated technology, teamwork, and creativity in a day full of energy and inspiration.
The I Will Coding and Robotics School is expanding its LEGO® Robotics classroom in Mykolaiv! With new tablets and LEGO® Education kits, more children can now learn coding and robotics through play. The biggest LEGO donation — a full suitcase carried to Ukraine by Tatiana — sparked a new phase of hands-on, creative learning.
