Meet The Europe Challenge 2025/26 Cohort!

Europe’s biggest challenges – climate, democracy, and the digital shift – don’t just live in policy papers. They shape people’s lives. That’s why the European Cultural Foundation is investing in one of Europe’s most accessible and trusted public spaces: libraries.

With the launch of The Europe Challenge 2025/26, we are scaling our Libraries for Europe focus area to support 60 community-led initiatives in 26 countries. These local actions responding to environmental risks, digital divides, social exclusion, and democratic disconnect show what’s possible when libraries become active spaces for civic participation and change.

Libraries are more than buildings. They are working platforms for transition, places where people come together, share knowledge, and shape their futures. As Europe navigates complex transitions, we believe libraries must be central to the response.