Connecting Youth, Strengthening Communities: Recent Activities Across Europe in the Basketball-KTN Project

The Basketball-KTN Erasmus+ project continues to grow as a dynamic platform for education, psychological support, and athletic development. Through a series of impactful activities conducted across partner countries, the project is inspiring young people not just on the court—but in life—by promoting skills, values, and emotional resilience through basketball.

 YSSUKRAINE – Empowering Educators and Young Athletes Through Psychosocial Support and Sport

Despite the ongoing instability in Ukraine, YSSUKRAINE has delivered multiple sessions combining sport and psychological support for young athletes, PE teachers, and coaches:

• Psychological guidance webinars have provided insights into stress management, emotional resilience, and the mental benefits of staying active.
• Hybrid and in-person athletic events have brought youth, teachers, and parents together to engage in relay races, skills challenges, basketball games, and presentations on the KTN platform.
• Activities reinforced mental well-being, teamwork, and the role of sport in maintaining positivity and unity during challenging times.

These initiatives highlight the power of basketball not just as a physical activity but as a vehicle for hope, connection, and personal growth.

 University of Belgrade – Promoting Dual Careers and Emotional Intelligence in Sport

The University of Belgrade hosted educational sessions centered around:

• Dual career awareness, introducing young athletes and parents to ways of combining education with sport for long-term success.
• Emotional regulation workshops, where participants learned to identify, understand, and manage emotions related to sport performance, led by expert sports psychologists.
• Awareness sessions on screen time balance, sport, and academic life emphasized healthy lifestyle practices in a digital age.

These training activities strengthened life skills, emotional awareness, and mental resilience for athletes and their support networks.

 Evnikos Sports Club – A Holistic Approach to Youth Sports Development

Evnikos Sports Club conducted two impactful initiatives:

• A Sports Nutrition & Healthy Lifestyle program, led by nutritionist Efi Dede, helped athletes understand proper hydration and food choices for peak performance.
• A combined workshop on Ethics, Safeguarding & First Aid in Sport, delivered by safeguarding expert Vasilis Ntakouris and Mrs. Vicky Christopoulou, highlighted vital concepts of safe participation, protection from abuse, and practical first-aid skills—including CPR, choking response, and recovery position training.

These sessions worked to cultivate a culture of safety, respect, well-being, and responsible engagement in sport.

 College Basketball SSDRL – Blending Sport Skills and Values in Grassroots Training

In Italy, College Basketball SSDRL delivered a special workshop combining practical U14 training and dialogue on:

• Basketball fundamentals tailored to young athletes
• Integrity and values in sport, fostering a culture of teamwork, respect, and long-term athlete development
• A unique opportunity for coaches, club staff, and the club president to engage with all aspects of youth development, strengthening internal unity and a shared vision for growth

Connecting – Empowering – Transforming Through Basketball

The Basketball-KTN Erasmus+ project is more than just basketball. It’s a collaborative effort to strengthen young people’s bodies and minds through a holistic model of learning that blends physical, psychological, and ethical development.

From Athens to Belgrade, Ternopil to Reggio Emilia, our partners are building bridges between communities, sharing best practices, and creating a Europe where sports inspire education and values-led growth.

Stay tuned for more activities, and join us in celebrating the journey of building a supportive, inclusive, and empowering basketball culture across Europe. Together, we aim not only to improve skills but to shape resilient, compassionate, and well-rounded individuals.