The Europe Challenge

Advocacy isn’t just about speaking up – it’s about being heard. In this engaging, interactive pre-recorded session, we’ll explore the essentials of advocacy for library changemakers: from crafting a compelling message and speaking with confidence, to working with the media, setting public agendas, and influencing decision-makers at the European level. We’ll look at how libraries can champion their solutions through smart, strategic communication – and touch on the basics of EU fundraising to support their goals. Whether you’re new to advocacy or looking to sharpen your skills, this session is all about building your confidence to make change happen. 

This webinar, delivered by Ilona Kish and Luca Moltmann of Public Libraries 2030, was recorded in September 2024 as part of The Europe Challenge 2024. To skip over the intro and outro sections, watch it from 9:36 to 1:31:20.

Every library holds stories – on its shelves, in its walls, and among its people. And whether you’re hosting events, launching projects, or sparking change in your neighbourhood, storytelling is one of the most powerful tools you have. In this lively 30-minute pre-recorded session, Beth Daley, a storytelling expert from the Europeana Foundation, will help The Europe Challenge participants discover their inner storytellers and activate their imagination, using cultural heritage items from Europeana.eu – the online resource that brings together cultural heritage collections from across Europe.

You’ll explore the difference between storytelling and fact-sharing, and how to adapt stories for different audiences and contexts. You’ll put Europeana’s seven tips for digital storytelling into practice through creative writing and imaginative thinking exercises. And you’ll have a lot of fun!  

Resources mentioned in the video:

Looking for inspiration for your Challenge project, a tip, or an idea? Who better to learn from than the past participants of The Europe Challenge! If Librarians Ran Europe is a three-episode webinar series, recorded in December 2024. In each episode, several Challenge alumni present their projects in the format of short, 5-minute ignite talks.

How Libraries in Europe Drive Change

Through this webinar, you will discover the achievements, challenges, and valuable insights of librarians and communities working together to address European democratic challenges, supported through The Europe Challenge in 2024. Learn how libraries across 11 European countries, from Ukraine to Ireland, are fostering inclusive spaces for vulnerable communities, supporting sustainable living, and challenging mental health stigma. These initiatives range from offering resources for people with disabilities to organising local discussions, writing workshops, and much more.

Spotlighted library initiatives

A Community Celebration of Diversity, History and Culture in Marino, Dublin – min 5:09

Digital Skills for People with Vision Disabilities, Lviv – min 11:05

Bibliokepos, Seville – min 15:41 

You Won’t Learn This at School, Opole – min 20:39 

Autumn Songs – Bird Life in Urban and Literary Environments, Frankfurt – min 25:45 

Romnja Feminist Library, Bucharest – min 31:40 

Participate in Your Local Community, Landskrona – min 46:16 

Literacy for Climate Transition!, Póvoa de Varzim – min 52:29 

Like Home, Krakow – min 58:31 

Discover the World with Other Senses, Liepaja – min 1:03:33 

Water Care in a Creative Way, Čačak – min 1:07:06 

Soul Food for Migrant Youth. Positive integration through Art and Culture, Paris – min 1:12:03 

UK Libraries, European Solutions

Libraries and communities across the UK are setting an example when it comes to nurturing a healthy democracy, inspiring climate action and addressing the pandemic of loneliness. In this webinar, libraries and local communities from Bootle, Cambridge, Falkirk, Glasgow, Ipswich, London, Oldham, St Helens, Stockport, and Sutton share insights in addressing challenges such as low voter turnout, climate crisis, debt, and much more.

Spotlighted library initiatives

Elastic Money / Money Matters, Sefton – min 12:28

Outreach to the Romanian Community, Ipswich – min 18:56

Bookworms Community Garden, Stockport – min 24:26

The Democratic Library, London – min 30:00 

Meet. Eat. Art, Cambridge – min 40:21

Community Activators and Programmers, St Helens – min 47:30

Community Growing for Recovery, Falkirk – min 51:23

Five Ways to Health Equality, Oldham – min 55:12

Unleashing Student Creativity Through Zines, Sutton – min 58:40

Italian Libraries, European Solutions

Watch this webinar to discover how local Italian libraries are making Europe more democratic, one community at a time, supported through The Europe Challenge. You can look forward to libraries and local communities from Albino, Altamura, Cavriago, Genova, Milan, Moliterno, Nave, Pallanza, Verbania, Rome, Tortona, and Turin, sharing their experience in building social cohesion, leading climate action, fighting disinformation, and so much more!

Spotlighted library initiatives

Once There Will Be, Moliterno – min 10:17 

QuickSilver, Albino – min 14:31

Cozyplace: Co-management of a Co-designed Place, Pallanza – min 20:01

How Do You Feel?, Genoa – min 23:28

Library of Things, Altamura – min 28:40

The Library Escape, Milan – min 34:05

MULTI MAKERS: Build Digital Skills to Challenge Fake News, Cavriago – min 43:19

Seed Library: Biblioteca dei Semi, Nave – min 49:20

fREAD Yourself. Women in Shelters and The Impact of Libraries, Rome – min 55:58

LetteralMente. Information Literacy and Books to Counter Fake News, Turin – min 1:02:29

Bridging Worlds: A Collaborative Initiative for Youth, Libraries, and Inclusive Communities, Tortona – 1:08:03