A Green Oasis of Knowledge
The Local Challenge
In Bobrynets, a small but active city in central Ukraine, clean drinking water is not something residents can take for granted. Declining drinking water quality has become a growing concern, affecting health and increasing dependence on bottled water. At the same time, many residents, especially children, young people, and internally displaced families, lack reliable information about water safety and have limited opportunities to learn practical ways to protect the environment. The city library is already a trusted meeting place for over 1,500 readers, but it has the potential to become much more: a space where the community can both learn about and act on local environmental challenges.
The Initiative
A Green Oasis of Knowledge turns the city library into a multifunctional eco-space, co-created in partnership with NGO Flora and local residents. It houses a public water laboratory where residents can test drinking water and see results first-hand. A landscaped green corner provides a welcoming venue for eco-events, readings, and community gatherings, while the library collection is expanded to include environmental books and games for all ages. The library’s collection will be expanded with environmental books and games for all ages, supporting workshops, clean-ups, and awareness campaigns. The community is involved from start to end – helping design the space, plant greenery, and maintain the area – ensuring it reflects local needs and transforming the library into a trusted eco-center.
What’s Next?
The new water lab will run year-round, offering regular testing and sharing results with the public. The green space will host workshops, clean-up events, and environmental celebrations, building awareness and habits that reduce plastic waste and promote sustainability. Backed by local government support, the library will keep evolving as a place where environmental knowledge turns into everyday action, improving health, strengthening community ties, and making Bobrynets a model for small-city sustainability.
Contact theeuropechallenge@culturalfoundation.eu if you have any questions or want to be connected with the team behind the project.
