The Europe Challenge

The Challenge 

Some of the activities of “fREAD yourself” have already been tested as a public engagement project of the Sapienza Università di Roma Library with Associazione Differenza Donna, an organisation for women and children suffering from violence. Their aim is to continue the support with two goals: first, to highlight the issue of gender-based violence; and second, to support female victims of violence in their journey to regain autonomy. This challenge plans to expand further into the community of women and children from both national and international backgrounds and work towards their safety and well-being. 

The Initiative 

Together with the advisors from Differenza Donna, librarians are working towards solving problems connected to gaining economic independence, having adequate literacy skills and regaining self-confidence. Activities both inside and outside the centre, such as visiting farmers’ markets, museums and parks, clothing swaps, recycled art and craft labs and game spaces, provide recreational, cultural and educational support. Specific support for young people is also available, with safe relationship-building as a primary goal. 

After The Europe Challenge

The Challenge team has managed to improve the facilities of the shelter house, strengthen opportunities for cultural growth and enhancement of soft skills of the community. The librarians learnt lessons about how and what their community needed, directly from the community. This was an important achievement in their programme design and how successful they became in creating safe spaces for the women residents.   

Contact theeuropechallenge@culturalfoundation.eu if you have any questions or want to be connected with the team behind the project.