One of the key outcomes of the PLAYFUL AGEING project is to strengthen the capacity of organizations to work across borders and sectors. As part of this initiative, workshops for sport staff and volunteers were delivered in three countries—Slovenia, Serbia, and Croatia—focusing on the organization of international basketball tournaments with a strong emphasis on green practices. These workshops, held as part of the Erasmus+ Playful Ageing project, aimed to equip participants with the knowledge and tools needed to organize sustainable and inclusive sports events.
Workshop in Slovenia
The first of these workshops took place in Ljubljana, Slovenia, on September 19, 2023. This event brought together 38 participants, including sport staff, volunteers, and leaders of sports clubs, all eager to learn innovative approaches to sports event management. The workshop opened with a welcome from the Playful Ageing project manager and the vice-president of the Sports Union of Slovenia, who highlighted the importance of well-organized sports events and the role of sustainability in modern event management. The session covered comprehensive guidelines for organizing large international basketball tournaments, with topics such as early planning, human resources, stakeholder engagement, logistics, inclusivity, and sustainability. The highlight of the event was a hackathon, where participants collaborated to develop innovative solutions for organizing green sporting events. Groups brainstormed ideas on waste management, energy efficiency, and sustainable transport solutions, eventually presenting their proposals to the workshop attendees. This hands-on experience fostered creativity, collaboration, and a deeper understanding of how to integrate green practices into sports event management. Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the interactive format and the practical knowledge gained.
Workshop in Croatia
Held on December 27, 2023, in Poreč, Croatia, during the Playful Ageing transnational meeting, this workshop attracted over 30 participants. The event ran parallel to an international grassroots basketball tournament, offering attendees real-world insights into organizing such large-scale events. The workshop began with a presentation on best practices for organizing international basketball tournaments. Topics such as comprehensive planning, human resources, stakeholder engagement, and post-event activities were covered in detail.
Following the educational session, participants took part in another hackathon focused on developing solutions for green sporting events. Groups brainstormed and created detailed proposals addressing sustainable event practices. The feedback from participants was highly positive, with many appreciating the practical nature of the hackathon and the opportunity to collaborate and innovate.
Workshop in Serbia
The final workshop in this series took place in Belgrade, Serbia, on April 26, 2024, as part of the Erasmus+ Playful Ageing project. This workshop gathered 30 participants to learn about organizing large international basketball tournaments with a focus on sustainable practices. The workshop opened with a welcome address from the president of the Women’s Basketball Club GirlBasket. Participants were briefed on the project’s goals and the importance of sustainability in sports event management. Comprehensive presentations covered essential aspects of event organization, from logistics and stakeholder engagement to post-tournament evaluations. As in previous workshops, the hackathon was the centerpiece of the event. Participants worked in groups to brainstorm and develop innovative ideas for incorporating sustainability into sports events. The interactive format fostered a sense of collaboration and creativity, with participants bringing diverse perspectives to the table. The session concluded with group presentations, followed by feedback from peers and experts.
The PLAYFUL AGEING workshops, held in Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia, provided sport staff and volunteers with essential knowledge and practical skills for organizing large international basketball tournaments. By emphasizing sustainability through collaborative hackathons and detailed guidelines, these workshops have set the stage for more environmentally responsible and impactful sports events.