The Europe Challenge

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, Sefton, St Helens, Stockport, and Sutton share insights in addressing challenges such as low voter turnout, climate crisis, debt, and much more.

This webinar is part of the If Librarians Ran Europe series, hosted by the European Cultural Foundation. It highlights the initiatives of participants in The Europe Challenge, demonstrating how libraries can help address the shared democratic challenges facing all Europeans. With thanks to public funding through Arts Council England and Scottish Library & Information Council for their support of this webinar and the wider programme.

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