INDEPTH ‘‘
At the heart of the programme lies the belief that libraries and their communi- ties are fundamental to shaping a more inclusive, connected, and sustainable Europe. – The Europe Challenge
Rob Green is a editor for Information Professional.
Accepting the challenge: how Europe’s libraries improving society
Launched in 2020 by the European Cultural Foundation, The Europe Challenge is a programme that harnesses libraries and their communities to deliver positive change. This year’s Challenge cohort gathered in London for one of its regional summits and here we take a closer look at the UK’s projects.
INCREASINGLY libraries are being seen as agents of change – they sit at the heart of the communities they serve, are safe spaces and are staffed by one of the world’s most trusted professionals. This puts libraries from across all sectors in a unique position, where they can lead change by engaging with their users. For The Europe Challenge, this means looking towards public, volunteer and academic libraries and small projects that connect with local commu- nities. Launched in 2020 by the European Cultural Foundation, with partners including Arts Council England, Fondazione Cariplo, and the Scottish Library and Information Council, the aim was to support local, community-led initiatives to tackle a range of social and environmental issues. The latest iteration began in September 2025 and is support- ing 60 projects in 26 countries, with funding of up to €10,000 per project.
The Europe Challenge website says: “At the heart of the programme lies the belief that libraries and their communities are fundamental to shaping a more inclusive, connected, and sustainable Europe. “Across Europe, the social, digital, and green transitions are lived realities. The Europe Challenge offers a new way of looking at these big changes: a chance to explore how Europe’s urgent transitions unfold in communities, and how libraries – often
Winter 2025
overlooked – are becoming arenas of civic imagina- tion and resilience.”
This year’s cohort came together at Swiss Cottage Library for its UK regional summit, including team members from some of the UK’s 11 projects tak- ing part in the 2025/26 challenge. This year’s UK contingent features three projects from Scotland, in Alloa, Bishopbriggs, and Musselburgh; and eight from England in Barnsley, Gloucester, Hexham, three in London, Newcastle and Paignton. Each of the initiatives chosen for The 2025/26 Europe Challenge link to a UN Sustainable Develop- ment Goal (SDG), with projects covering Climate Action, Good Health and Wellbeing, Life on Land, Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities, Responsi- ble Consumption and Production, and Sustainable Cities and Communities.
The aim is to enable local areas to develop commu- nity-led solutions to global issues, and here we take a closer look at each of this year’s projects.
Alloa, Space to breathe (SDG: Climate Action; Good Health and Wellbeing; Sustainable Cities and Communities)
Focusing on the health risks associated with air pollution, Alloa Library’s project is a year-long programme combining environmental education, citizen science, and community wellbeing. Working
INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL DIGITAL 37
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54
