Basketball Changes Lives in Alicante's Most Vulnerable Neighbourhoods

Basketball practice has become a powerful tool for social inclusion in Colonia Requena, one of the most culturally diverse and low-income neighbourhoods in Alicante. Through the Lucentum Zona Norte project, children and teenagers actively participate in an initiative that transcends sports, aiming to create bonds, strengthen community spirit, and open new opportunities in vulnerable contexts.

This socio-sport initiative has achieved high female participation, especially among migrant girls, and sustained engagement during adolescence, reinforcing its medium-term impact. Moreover, the activity not only promotes healthy habits but also helps reduce existing inequalities and strengthen coexistence in an environment marked by precariousness.

The project's approach is based on designing inclusive sports activities, tailored to the neighbourhood's context and aimed at social transformation through play and teamwork. Similarly, the programme's effects on participants' daily lives are continuously evaluated, identifying improvements in areas such as self-esteem, academic performance, and family involvement.

The Lucentum project thus demonstrates that sports can be much more than a physical activity. When organised with an educational perspective and adapted to the neighbourhood's reality, it can help improve coexistence, strengthen bonds between neighbours, and provide new opportunities to those who need it most.