The Europe Challenge at Building Bridges: Libraries for a Sustainable Future in Brussels
The Europe Challenge was featured at the 2-day event organised at the European Parliament between 5 and 6 November 2024 by Public Libraries 2030, together with EBLIDA, IFLA, LIBER, and NAPLE.
On 5 November, 70 library professionals from across Europe gathered for a networking lunch with the newly elected Members of the European Parliament. The discussions during the lunch highlighted the vital role of public libraries in shaping a sustainable and democratic future for Europe by strengthening local communities, providing access to culture and knowledge, encouraging environmental sustainability, and more.
Following the networking lunch, André Wilkens, director of the European Cultural Foundation, joined influential European leaders–EP Vice-President Sabine Verheyen, EP Quaestor Marc Angel, and Georg Häusler, Director of Culture, Creativity and Sport, DG EAC– in reaffirming the crucial role of public libraries in building a sustainable, democratic future for Europe.
The afternoon was dedicated to policy discussions, featuring interactive presentations and a dialogue on the 2024-26 policy outlook for libraries across Europe.
On 6 November, participating library professionals came together at the Muntpunt Library for an EU Projects and Knowledge Exchange Fair. The event featured Ignite talks where libraries showcase a range of funded projects. Here, Inguna Dukure, mentor and alumni of The Europe Challenge from the Vaidava Parish Library, shared insights from her experience in designing and implementing the Libraries as Libraries as Therapy initiative, supported through The Europe Challenge during the 2022/23 programme.
Click here to read our brief consultation guide with recommendations from the ground, presented to the Open Method of Coordination (OMC) EU Member States’ Expert Group for Libraries 2024.
