Libraries at the Heart of Europe September 2026 Webinars: Sign Up Now! | DEADLINE: 24 August 2026
We’re organising a free, four-part webinar series to showcase your inspiring work as participants in The Europe Challenge 2025/26.
As a speaker, you’ll be part of a vibrant online Marketplace of ideas, sharing how your library and community are responding to democratic, social, and climate challenges, while inspiring others across Europe with your experiences and learning.
The webinar series will be thematically organised around the four metaphors for public libraries outlined in the EU report Strengthening Europe through Public Libraries:
- 22 September 11:00-12:30 CEST – Library as a Laboratory – A buzzing space where new ideas, skills and projects are developed, stimulating curiosity and advancing circular economy.
- 23 September 11:00-12:30 CEST – Library as a Marketplace – A communal space where exchange of knowledge, ideas and culture takes place on a daily basis.
- 29 September 11:00-12:30 CEST – Library as a Sanctuary – A space of retreat providing safety, comfort and focus, a welcoming community and a familiar ‘third place’ without obligations.
- 30 September 11:00-12:30 CEST – Library as a Hub – A space that can become what the community or individual needs it to be, built on deep local knowledge and relationships.
Here is a draft schedule for each webinar:
| 10mins | Intro by Lovelyn Nwadeyi, webinar host |
| 30mins | Challenge teams present their initiatives (3mins each) – first part |
| 10mins | Q&A with the audience on the first batch of presentations |
| 25mins | Challenge teams present their initiatives (3mins each) – second part |
| 10mins | Q&A with the audience on the second batch of presentations |
| 5mins | Outro by Lovelyn Nwadeyi, webinar host |
Next Steps: Preparing Your Presentation
Step 1: Confirm your availability and upload your visuals
Please indicate which webinar(s) you are available to present at by completing this form by Monday, 24 August, 13:00 CEST.
We will confirm your presentation date, along with rehearsal details and next steps, by Monday, 1 September, 13:00 CEST at the latest.
The form will also prompt you to upload three high-quality images (photos or illustrations) that represent your Challenge project. These images will be displayed on screen while you present. Where possible, we encourage you to refrain from using AI imagery when uploading your visuals.
Step 2: Prepare your presentation
Each team will have 3 minutes to present their Challenge project in English, followed by a short Q&A moderated by the webinar host. When preparing your presentation, we encourage you to build on the object you selected and the learnings from the pitching training at the Amsterdam Summit.
Please note that you will not be able to use slides or videos during your presentation. Instead, the three images you upload will be displayed throughout your talk. You may find the following questions helpful when preparing your pitch:
- Who are you (library/community), and where are you based?
- What challenge did you address?
- What was your solution, and what did you achieve?
- What challenges did you encounter during implementation, and how did you respond to them?
- What are the next steps for your project?
- How has The Europe Challenge and the opportunity to exchange with peers across Europe benefited you and your project?
Step 3: Help us spread the word
The webinar series is free and open to everyone. Registrations are now open – please share this link with your networks.
Any share of our promo posts on social media or communications pack is also much appreciated!
Don’t just present, participate! We’d love to have you at the other webinars too. Come along, get inspired, and cheer on your fellow participants. ✨
Final Note & Questions
Presenting your project as part of this webinar series is an obligatory element of your grant agreement.
Whenever possible, we encourage both the library and community representatives to present together. If this is not feasible, one representative may present on behalf of the project.
If you have any questions or need support, please contact us at theeuropechallenge@culturalfoundation.eu.
