16th One Team Workshop: Euroleague Basketball Pushes European Basketball's Social Responsibility Forward

On November 14, 2026, Euroleague Basketball kicked off the 16th annual One Team Workshop in Barcelona, bringing together representatives from leading clubs in the EuroLeague and BKT EuroCup. The two-day event is not just a platform for sharing experiences but also a reaffirmation of European basketball's commitment to using sport as a tool for social inclusion and reducing inequality. This year's workshop featured seven clubs from across Europe: Anadolu Efes Istanbul (Turkey), Hapoel IBL Tel Aviv (Israel), Fenerbahce Tarfin Istanbul (Turkey), Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania), Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia), Cosea JL Bourg-en-Bresse (France), and Valencia Basket (Spain). Each team sent representatives responsible for community programs – those who run local One Team projects, from supporting disadvantaged children to integrating people with disabilities and creating healthy sports environments for youth. The overarching theme this year is "community integration," a concept One Team has pursued for 16 years. Panel discussions focused on how to design and sustain programs that have long-term impact, not just one-off events. Attendees were given insights from experts outside basketball, such as Suzan Beers and Lucy Mills, who have extensive experience in social work and community development. This shows Euroleague Basketball's willingness to learn from other sectors to improve its initiatives. A notable highlight was Paula Dellaroza, a representative from the organization Educo, who gave a presentation on fundraising strategies and partnerships – a critical factor enabling CSR programs to survive and expand beyond the workshop. The presence of non-sport speakers reflects a trend toward professionalizing the social responsibility management of clubs while adding value to local communities. The One Team Awards ceremony also took place, honoring clubs with outstanding community programs from the past season. An emotional moment came when Gigi Datome, Italian former player and long-time One Team ambassador, appeared via video to share about the program's journey and the importance of spreading human values through basketball. Though he no longer plays, Datome remains a symbol of the connection between elite sport and social responsibility. According to program materials, One Team operates as an umbrella CSR system co-developed by Euroleague Basketball and member clubs, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10 on reducing inequalities. Through training sessions, physical activities, and extracurricular events, One Team transforms the court into an educational environment where children and youth from diverse backgrounds can interact and develop life skills. This event is not about competition or tactics; it is a strategic step to strengthen European basketball's image as a responsible sport. As major competitions increasingly focus on commercial aspects, maintaining a well-structured social program like One Team demonstrates that league officials still devote significant attention to sustainable values. Participating clubs not only learn from one another but also build a sharing network that helps replicate successful models across the continent. The 16th One Team Workshop concluded with a stronger commitment for the next phase. The question is not who wins the standings, but how each community program can genuinely change the lives of the marginalized. This is the spirit Euroleague Basketball aims to convey – basketball is not just games, but a human bridge to the community.