The Europe Challenge
The Europe Challenge is an annual programme that brings together teams from libraries and communities across Europe to address social isolation, inequality, disinformation, climate crises and other local 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 to enhance democratic participation and social and environmental well-being through citizen-led local change.
If Librarians Ran Europe – The Amsterdam Summit of The Europe Challenge
On 26 September 2024, If Librarians Ran Europe – The Amsterdam Summit of The Europe Challenge, will bring together library professionals, policymakers, and community leaders in Amsterdam to explore how libraries are driving change across Europe. This landmark event will showcase the innovative work of 57 teams from 24 countries, each addressing critical challenges like social isolation, inequality, and climate crisis.
Notable speakers, including climate change activist Mikaela Loach, political cartoonist Khalid Albaih, former Deputy Mayor for Culture in Lisbon Catarina Vaz Pinto, and Director of Libraries at Arts Council England, Luke Burton will challenge participants to reimagine libraries as essential pillars of democratic renewal.
The summit will also feature the launch of How Libraries Survive Thrive – A Guide for Libraries in Europe, a publication showcasing the transformative impact of libraries. It features conversations, including with #BookTok star Jack Edwards and renowned library architect Francine Houben, and the winning entries from the How A Library Changed My Life writing competition, selected from nearly 300 submissions. We’re thrilled to announce that
- Camilla Macpherson,
- Abdallah Alghoul,
- Sheryl Man Wai Sze,
- Luis Eduardo Torres Sánchez,
- Svitlana Rykychynska, and
- Louise Scollay
have been chosen as the winners! From tales of personal resilience to the transformative power of a library in times of crisis, these narratives promise to captivate and inspire.
If Librarians Ran Europe—The Amsterdam Summit of The Europe Challenge—is organised by the European Cultural Foundation in collaboration with OBA Public Libraries Amsterdam and the Municipality of Amsterdam.
The Europe Challenge announces 57 libraries and communities from 24 countries for its 2024 edition
The Europe Challenge, initiated by the European Cultural Foundation (ECF) and supported by Fondazione Cariplo, the Scottish Library and Information Council and by public funding through Arts Council England, is thrilled to announce the selection of 57 libraries and communities from 24 countries for its 2024 edition: Libraries, Communities, and Democracy. This new edition of the programme addresses various challenges facing Europe, such as social isolation, inequality, disinformation, and the climate crisis, through community-led local change facilitated by libraries all over Europe. The programme will run from January to September 2024.
Sense of Belonging
‘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. Order a copy here.
Europe Challenge Slide deck
A slide show featuring the 39 initiatives is also a free download. The slideshow is available as a PowerPoint presentation and as an autoplay presentation for TV screens.
The poster exhibition
A poster exhibition-in-a-box. Is offered as free downloads. Any library or community across Europe can organise their own exhibition and inspire their public.
