Buddies
Europe has more than 65,000 public libraries, alongside many others in schools, prisons and community centres. They are places where the future of our society is shaped.
BUDDIES empowers frontline library and community workers to create inclusive, relevant and meaningful learning opportunities for citizens — especially those from marginalised groups.
Libraries can act as hyper-local learning hubs, where vulnerable adult learners and people of all ages and backgrounds find knowledge, support and a sense of connection, with one another and with fellow Europeans. They truly are our buddies!
The Green Librarian Handbook
- Publication
The EBLIDA/ELAN publication "The Green Librarian Handbook: Symphony in Sustainability Major" is more than just a handbook; it is a call to action and an…
MoreHelene Bruhn Schwartzman on Planetary Co-Design in Libraries | Green Masterclass
- Case study
Helene Bruhn Schwartzman, Library Transformer at Aarhus Public Libraries, demonstrates how libraries can embed environmental responsibility into everyday operations and community engagement.
MoreNate Hill on the Magic of Libraries as Open-Air Laboratories | Green Masterclass
- Case study
Nate Hill, Executive Director at Metropolitan New York Library Council, explores how libraries, archives, and communities can nurture culture, growth, sustainability, and well‑being.
MoreSkills Audit Survey: Help Us Map the Skills of Europe’s Libraries
- Case study
Take the survey! Are library professionals being equipped with the skills they need to keep up with the evolving role of libraries?
MoreBUDDIES KnowHow Lab #1: Leadership with Care
- Panel/webinar
Our first KnowHow Lab, held by our partner Comicdom, brought together librarians and community organisers in a shared online space to connect, learn, and support…
MoreBUDDIES is a project funded by Erasmus+, working with The Europe Challenge to support library and community workers through mentoring, networking, and policy recommendations.
It is coordinated by the European Cultural Foundation, in collaboration with Aarhus Public Libraries, Comicdom Press and Public Libraries 2030, and co-funded by the European Union.




