Volia society (Freedom). A cultural-educational society sponsored by the Ukrainian Social Democratic party (USDP) of Galicia in 1903–24. Volia was formed in an attempt by the USDP to counter the Polonization of Ukrainian workers. The first (and central) branch was established in Lviv, and by 1909 there were branches in eight other centers in Galicia and Bukovyna. Early in 1924 the Polish government outlawed the group. The longtime leader of Volia was Porfyr Buniak.

[This article originally appeared in the Encyclopedia of Ukraine, vol. 5 (1993).]