The Europe Challenge 2025/26 Applications: 301 Libraries, 38 Countries, 1 Europe
We have a new lucky number, and it’s 301. That’s how many incredible libraries and their local communities rolled up their sleeves and applied for The Europe Challenge 2025/26!
From vibrant cities to quiet corners of the continent, library and community teams came together across 38 countries with one shared goal: to build a better, greener, more connected Europe. We’re very grateful and still catching our breath!
🗓️ Applications officially closed on 29 May 2025, and now we’re buzzing with excitement to meet the changemakers who’ll take part in our learning programme. Of the 301 amazing applications, 60 teams will be selected to bring their bold ideas to life, implementing creative solutions to tackle Europe’s key transitions: social, digital, and green.
And if there’s one thing we learned running this programme? Libraries can do anything.
What kind of projects are we talking about?
Let’s dive into the good stuff – some fun facts and figures:
📌 63% of proposed projects are all about social impact. Think: fighting socio-economic inequalities, creating better opportunities for the differently-abled, amplifying underrepresented voices and building community where it’s needed most.
📌 21% focus on environmental challenges, from climate resilience to sustainable local living.
📌 16% are going digital, with ideas around the safe use of technology, digital literacy, AI for good, and more.
Who’s going to benefit?
If all eligible projects were implemented, they’d touch the lives of over 826,000 people from all walks of life across Europe. That’s a lot of impact. Here’s who’s front and centre in the proposals we received:
👩🎓 Youth (12+) and children (under 12): 20%
👩 Women: 10%
🧍♂️ People facing social isolation: 9%
🧓 Elderly folks: 8%
🌍 Refugees, migrants & asylum seekers: 8%
🤝Low income earners: 7%
🧑🏾🤝🧑🏻Ethnic minorities: 6%
Who applied?
We’re inspired by the variety of libraries thinking outside their bookshelves:
- Public libraries: 37%
- Community libraries: 20%
Special interest (9%), school (8%), volunteer (7%), rural (4%), university (4%) and even prison (1%) libraries also showed us that community is at the heart of positive change.
Don’t face the challenge alone – your mentor’s got you!
Did you know applicants can team up with a mentor from our alumni network, as part of The Europe Challenge? Thanks to our friends and partners at DOKK1 Aarhus, Challenge graduates are ready to guide the 2025/26 cohort through the highs, lows, and “wait, what do we do now?” moments of local project implementation. 86% of applicants said “yes please” to this support! As soon as the selection process is complete, our friends at DOKK1 will jump straight into matchmaking to pair our new cohort with the support they deserve.
A warm welcome to the new faces!
One final fun fact: most of our applicants had never heard of the European Cultural Foundation before The Europe Challenge 2025/26. If that’s you, welcome! We’re thrilled you’re here.
If you’d like to keep up with inspiring stories and cultural happenings from across Europe – not just the library world –, make sure to sign up for our newsletter here.
If you applied…
We’re currently hard at work reviewing all your brilliant ideas, and final decisions will be announced on 3 July 2025. Keep an eye on your inbox – we’ll need you to confirm if you’re selected!
While you wait, follow us for behind-the-scenes updates, useful tools for library lovers, and wholesome content from across Europe’s library landscape.
Here’s to dreaming big for Europe – because a better future starts in your library.
