The Europe Challenge
In short
What
The Europe Challenge is an annual programme that brings together libraries and communities to address Europe’s key transitions—social, digital, and green—by implementing creative solutions in their local areas.
Where
Across Europe.
When
The selected applicants for the Europe Challenge 2025/26 have been contacted via email. If you applied, check your inbox.
Who is it for
Libraries & their local communities. Examples of current participants: a Scottish prison library, a Bulgarian library working with Ukrainian refugees, a Greek comics library exploring ‘bibliotherapy’ to tackle loneliness and mental ill health.
The Europe Challenge addresses some of Europe’s most pressing challenges by working with libraries and their communities across Europe. It is an annual programme that brings together teams from libraries and communities across Europe to address today’s most pressing social, digital, and climate challenges by developing, sharing and implementing creative solutions with support from the European Cultural Foundation and its partners. The initiative is a unique growing network of European libraries that work together across borders to enhance democratic participation and social and environmental well-being through citizen-led local change. At its heart lies the belief that libraries and their communities are fundamental to shaping a more inclusive, connected, and sustainable Europe.
We launched the European Challenge in 2020 to offer support, resources and funding to libraries and communities – to help explore how people can meet, live together and work in the Europe of today.
‘Sense of Belonging’ showcases the 39 initiatives created during the Europe Challenge between 2021 and 2023, and tells the back-story: why and how the programme was conceived.
‘How Libraries Survive Thrive – A Guide for Librarians… and Everyone Else in Europe!’ showcases how libraries are transforming Europe, with contributions from library architect Francine Houben, climate justice activist Mikaela Loach, sociologist and Palaces for the People author Eric Klinenburg, #BookTok sensation Jack Edwards, media entrepreneur Esra Karakaya, and many more, including librarians themselves.
What is the Europe Challenge?
The Europe Challenge is an annual programme that brings together libraries and communities to address Europe’s key transitions—social, digital, and green—by implementing creative solutions in their local areas.
Inviting partners & funders
The Europe Challenge is initiated by the European Cultural Foundation and supported by Fondazione Cariplo, the Scottish Library and Information Council, public funding through Arts Council England.
Are you a municipality, local or regional public institution or foundation, and do you support citizen-led change in your local area?
Then join us in growing and scaling the impact of the Europe Challenge locally and across Europe. Get in touch with us to discuss opportunities for collaboration or if you have any questions about The Europe Challenge at theuropechallenge@culturalfoundation.eu
