**Community Partner:** Special Olympics Romania

**Social Issue:** Intellectual disability: Down Syndrome

**Ambassadors:** 

**Main Life Skills:** Teamwork, Communication, Decision-making, Autonomy

**About the Program:**

The U-BT Cluj-Napoca One Team program, in partnership with Special Olympics Romania, is dedicated to empowering adults with intellectual disabilities, primarily those with Down syndrome, through the transformative power of basketball. This initiative fosters an inclusive environment where participants aged 18-40 can develop physical skills, build confidence, and experience the joy of basketball. By focusing on what participants can achieve, the program shifts attention from disabilities to abilities, promoting personal growth, teamwork, and community cohesion. With 15-20 participants, the program offers weekly 90 minutes sessions over eight weeks, led by a coach from the club’s junior academy and supported by 3-8 junior volunteers, who assist with logistics and engage directly with participants to create a supportive and motivating atmosphere.

The program is structured to teach life skills alongside basketball, with each week targeting specific objectives like teamwork, communication, and decision-making to enhance participants’ daily lives and self-discovery. On-court sessions focus on basketball skills, while special sessions emphasize positive values and friendship. Incentives such as diplomas for 80% attendance, free game tickets, and post-session meals keep participants engaged, while close connections are maintained year-round. The program’s impact is amplified through a robust communication plan, including social media posts, website updates, and media outreach during key sessions, such as the first Christmas session, to promote messages of inclusion and unity.