The Europe Challenge
The Europe Challenge addresses some of Europe’s pressing challenges in a networked way, by working with libraries and their communities across Europe.
“The library is among the most critical forms of social infrastructure that we have”- from Erik Klinenberg’s ‘Palaces for the People’
Local questions are often shared questions in a European context. With the Europe Challenge, we support libraries working with their communities to prototype solutions to some of the most pressing challenges we face across Europe. Whether it is war, climate change, economic crisis or polarisation, our greatest challenges can only be solved when people – across Europe – lead the way in solidarity. Libraries, with their connections to communities and to municipalities and local governments, are safe spaces where people can come together to work on identifying challenges and solutions.
The Europe Challenge connects local communities and knowledge, offers a European experience and imagines a better Europe.
Public libraries bring wellbeing to our societies and neighbourhoods; they are safe spaces where people with all kinds of backgrounds can have access to curated knowledge, experience and participation;
The Europe Challenge is engaging a growing network of libraries across Europe: from public libraries, to mobile, rural, school, university, and prison libraries, municipal and national libraries;
the network involves citizens and communities with great ideas in shaping solutions for our future that can be shared with other Europeans and replicated in other contexts;
The Europe Challenge facilitates the prototyping of solutions by providing funding and support through co-learning with peers from across Europe and expert support in citizens’ engagement and co-creation;
Every Europe Day (9 May) the Europe Challenge provides a central stage for the participants to showcase their solutions and connect to wider audiences and possible new stakeholders and funders.
Project website
Dates
2022
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