A busy October for Athletic Fundazioa

October has become a special showcase for the Athletic Club Foundation. Thanks to specific initiatives and events held this month, the Foundation’s community work is gaining greater visibility.

The projects developed by Fundazioa in three main areas – Community, Inclusion, and Culture – using football and culture as tools, were particularly strengthened and supported in October thanks to the power of the Athletic brand and our unique identity.

These areas of action reflect Athletic's essence, a club deeply rooted in its community, whose reach goes beyond football to act as a driving force for social transformation.
 

Three Pillars for a Single Goal: Transformation Through Values

• Community, promoting health, sport, respect for the environment, and social cohesion.
• Inclusion, developing programmes for people and groups in vulnerable situations, fostering participation and equal opportunities.
• Culture, using football as a tool for reflection, dialogue, and social transformation.

 

Initiatives Bringing October to Life

Whilst the Foundation’s work is an ongoing effort, several key initiatives are taking place in October, highlighting the club’s unwavering commitment to community. Each one blends football, culture, and inclusion to create a positive impact and strengthen the bond between Athletic and its people.

• Thinking Football Film Festival

From October 6 to 12, the 2025 Thinking Football Film Festival took place at Sala BBK. Organised by the Foundation, this event combines cinema and football to explore issues such as equality, human rights, and mental health.

Audiences filled the theatre daily and engaged in discussions with special guests after the screenings. This year’s participants included Sammy Lee, Honey Thaljieh and George Dowell.
 

 

• UNRWA Project: PALESTINE

On October 10, San Mames hosted the official presentation of the UNRWA: PALESTINE project, which supports 8,000 Palestinian children in vulnerable situations and refugee camps in Syria. Thanks to the Athletic Club Foundation, these children will receive physical education classes in 16 schools run by UNRWA — the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees.

As part of the initiative, Honey Thaljieh, an Athletic 125th anniversary ambassador and project patron, joined UNRWA representatives and Palestinian refugees living in the Basque Country as they received a heartfelt applause at San Mamés before Athletic vs Mallorca on October 4.
 

 

• Follow Something Unique

On October 1, in Dortmund, the Foundation launched its Follow Something Unique campaign — a Champions League pre-match event celebrating values and friendship between fans. The programme included a Walking Football match, the planting of an oak tree and a shared post-match gathering.

Next to the oak, a plaque was placed with the message in German:

“We came as opponents, we leave as friends. Thank you, Dortmund, eskerrik asko.”

The initiative was warmly received in the German city and is set to continue in Athletic Club’s upcoming European journeys.
 

 

• Utopia Project

Part of the Foundation’s Inclusion programme, the Utopia Project supports women in vulnerable situations. Through sports and educational workshops, Utopia promotes physical and emotional well-being, self-esteem as well as creating mutual support networks.
 
Now in its second decade and held weekly, the project recently gained new sponsorship from Ilunion Facility Services.
 

 

• Honouring Long-Standing Members

Each year, the Club hosts an emotional ceremony to honour members celebrating 50 and 75 years of loyalty. Without their dedication, Athletic Club as we know it would not exist. This year’s honourees will receive their commemorative badges at San Mames on October 23.

 

• Pediatrics and Hospitals Project

As part of its Hospitals Project, the Foundation supports initiatives that create more welcoming pediatric spaces and bring positivity to hospitalised children. From Athletic-themed decorations to diplomas and “txapeldun” (champion) medals, these efforts aim to spread hope and happiness.
 
This autumn, the project is being relaunched at Basurto Hospital, featuring new decorations and activities designed to brighten children’s stays.

 

• Educational Project and World Mental Health Day

The Foundation also organised two special morning screenings for schools as part of the Thinking Football Film Festival. Nearly a thousand students gathered at Sala BBK to reflect on gender equality and mental health through the films Copa 71 and Tigrar.
 
The screening of Tigrar, on October 10, World Mental Health Day, highlighted the Foundation’s commitment to the cause. Through a video Fundazioa made, featuring Mikel, a participant in the RSM (Mental Health Network) project, Fundazioa underscored the importance of mental well-being and inclusion.

Through all these initiatives, the Athletic Club Foundation has shown that its community commitment goes far beyond football – transforming lives both on and off the pitch. Discover more about the Foundation and its projects.