Libraries for Europe

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Libraries for Europe

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A strategic focus of the European Cultural Foundation. Building on 5 years of collaboration with 100+libraries in 30 countries.

Driving The Europe Challenge, a programme empowering libraries & communities to shape a better future for Europe.

09/10/2026

"De bieb is je buddy." (The library is your buddy.)

European Cultural Foundation's Vivian Paulissen speaks about what a library means to her in the latest episode of 'Zin Van de Dag' podcast by Stine Jensen.

"Just like at an airport, there are all kinds of people gathered there, with one thing in common: a journey to somewhere...or toward a sense of home: a cosy living room where you can sit with your housemates. A buddy—that’s your library."

Listen to the episode (in Dutch) here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1ACnNiLeNnVnP2I8fwBbpw?si=JyHps409RuCCQykqxqdJ8g

The Zin Van de Dag podcast shares life lessons in two minutes: philosopher Stine Jensen offers new insights every episode, based on a single quote.

BUDDIES is a project funded by Erasmus+, working with The Europe Challenge to support library and community workers through mentoring, networking, and policy recommendations. It is coordinated by the European Cultural Foundation, in collaboration with Aarhus Public Libraries, Comicdom Press and Public Libraries 2030, and cofunded by the European Union.

07/10/2026

📖 The next case study from our community-led learning initiatives in public libraries across Europe focuses on Girls' Circle at We Need Books Multilingual Library in Athens, Greece.

At We Need Books Multilingual Library, an informal girls' group emerged from regular visitors aged roughly twelve to fifteen. Library staff had noticed that several girls were facing personal, social and emotional challenges and were already using the library as a place of refuge and trust. With support from two female volunteer mental health professionals, the library created a weekly girls' circle in a safe and familiar space.

This case matters to other libraries because it grew from observed needs rather than a pre-designed programme. It shows how existing trust between young users and library staff can become the basis for meaningful social and emotional support.

Read the full collection of 41 community-led initiatives here: https://theeuropechallenge.eu/resources/41-community-led-learning-practices-to-inspire-you/

The 41 cases were collected by the four BUDDIES partners across 18 countries, drawn from their professional networks. Together, they offer a snapshot of how European public libraries are reinventing their role today, not as a single model, but as a varied, locally grounded, and continuously evolving practice.

BUDDIES is a project funded by Erasmus+, working with The Europe Challenge to support library and community workers through mentoring, networking, and policy recommendations. It is coordinated by the European Cultural Foundation, in collaboration with Aarhus Bibliotekerne, Athens Comics Library and Public Libraries 2030, and co-funded by the European Union.

02/10/2026

📖 The next case study from our community-led learning initiatives in public libraries across Europe focuses on MakerSpace by Gellerup Library in Aarhus, Denmark.

Gellerup Library is located in an area of Aarhus with a high proportion of residents with immigrant backgrounds. The library worked with a local social housing department that already had contact with a focus group of older immigrants. Through this partnership, participants were introduced to the MakerSpace and invited to join the existing weekly community rather than attend a separate one-off activity.

The case also shows that existing library activities can be opened to new groups with relatively little extra infrastructure. The goal is not necessarily to create a new programme, but to help a target group enter a community that already exists

🔗 Read the full collection of 41 community-led initiatives here: https://theeuropechallenge.eu/resources/41-community-led-learning-practices-to-inspire-you/

The 41 cases were collected by the four BUDDIES partners across 18 countries, drawn from their professional networks. Together, they offer a snapshot of how European public libraries are reinventing their role today, not as a single model, but as a varied, locally grounded, and continuously evolving practice.

BUDDIES is a project funded by Erasmus+, working with The Europe Challenge to support library and community workers through mentoring, networking, and policy recommendations. It is coordinated by the European Cultural Foundation, in collaboration with Aarhus Bibliotekerne, Athens Comics Library and Public Libraries 2030, and co-funded by the European Union.

01/10/2026

Meet the organisations and partners behind BUDDIES! Say hello to Lisbeth Mærkedahl, Librarian and Project Manager, Aarhus Public Libraries, Denmark. Swipe ➡️ to know more about Lisbeth's experience with BUDDIES and what libraries mean to her.

BUDDIES is a project funded by Erasmus+, working with The Europe Challenge to support library and community workers through mentoring, networking, and policy recommendations. It is coordinated by the European Cultural Foundation, in collaboration with Aarhus Public Libraries Aarhus Bibliotekerne, Athens Comics, Library and Public Libraries 2030, and co-funded by the European Union.

23/09/2026

The World Federation of the Deaf celebrates 75 years since its establishment and 20 years of Deaf People's Rights under the UN Convention. Within the European Union, it demands the recognition of the 29 European sign languages as official languages of the EU, so that there is the right of access to culture and the arts, and correspondingly, visibility for Deaf culture. This year, in 2026, during the last week of September, we celebrate with the theme "Declaring the Human Rights of Deaf People".

We are highlighting the work of Andreas Plemmenos, a Europe Challenge alumnus, who also contributed to our KnowHowLab series with a presentation on accessibility and diversity in libraries.

Andreas' collaborative project for the Europe Challenge pilots a multisensory music education methodology centred on Deaf culture. Instead of sound alone, participants explore music through touch, vibration, and visuals. Also with sign language, subtitles, and staff trained in Deaf awareness, making the experience truly inclusive.

It's not just about access. It's about agency, cultural contribution, and rewriting what "music appreciation" can mean. 🎶

KnowHow Labs are part of BUDDIES, an Erasmus+ funded project supporting library and community workers through mentoring, networking and policy recommendations, coordinated by the European Cultural Foundation, in collaboration with Aarhus Public Libraries, Athens Comics Library and Public Libraries 2030, and co-funded by the European Union.

22/09/2026

Meet Terri Lewis 👋 , the Area Library Manager for five libraries with the Cambridge County Council Public Libraries.

Commenting on the experience as a BUDDIES mentor, Terri shares: "Never underestimate people’s willingness to engage. Everyone was just so open to what The Europe Challenge offered them. Everybody just wanted to do their best. And it was a great reminder that we are here for our people, for the team back at our offices and our communities. It was a really good reminder of why we do what we do, and that you can achieve real change."

🔗 Read the full interview: https://theeuropechallenge.eu/resources/libraries-and-their-communities-a-conversation-with-mentor-terri-lewis/

BUDDIES is a project funded by Erasmus+, working with The Europe Challenge to support library and community workers through mentoring, networking, and policy recommendations. It is coordinated by the European Cultural Foundation, in collaboration with Aarhus Public Libraries, Athens Comic Library and Public Libraries 2030, and co-funded by the European Union.

18/09/2026

📖 The next case study from our community-led learning initiatives in public libraries across Europe highlights La Piccola Biblioteca di Amantea.

This case redefines the public library in an underserved area as active community infrastructure. Extended access, hybrid functions, and regular programming allow the library to address education, digital inclusion, and social connection at the same time.

The trust-based access model is especially interesting because it reduces operational constraints while strengthening civic responsibility among users. For rural or resource-limited libraries, the case shows that impact depends less on large budgets than on clear purpose, consistency and community activation.

🔗 Read the full collection of 41 community-led initiatives: https://theeuropechallenge.eu/resources/41-community-led-learning-practices-to-inspire-you/

The 41 cases were collected by the four BUDDIES partners across 18 countries, drawn from their professional networks. Together, they offer a snapshot of how European public libraries are reinventing their role today, not as a single model, but as a varied, locally grounded, and continuously evolving practice.

BUDDIES is a project funded by Erasmus+, working with The Europe Challenge to support library and community workers through mentoring, networking, and policy recommendations. It is coordinated by the European Cultural Foundation, in collaboration with Aarhus Bibliotekerne, Athens Comics Library and Public Libraries 2030, and co-funded by the European Union.

16/09/2026

🌍 Libraries are shaping communities across Europe. Are you in?

Join the Libraries at the Heart of Europe webinar series and discover inspiring stories from libraries & communities across Europe.

Sign up for free via the link in bio!

11/09/2026

📖 The sixth case study from our community-led learning initiatives in public libraries across Europe highlights the work of Marino College JCSP Library, City of Dublin Education and Training Board.

A school library in a traditionally working-class part of Dublin developed Creative Minds amid rapid gentrification and shifting migration patterns. The initiative used culture, arts and creativity to build a more inclusive and collaborative sense of community.

Library programming was opened to the wider community through workshops in pottery, dance, music, cooking, creative writing and other forms of expression. These strands came together in a community parade celebrating shared humanity and local identity.

🔗 Know more about Creative Minds and the full collection of 41 community-led initiatives: https://theeuropechallenge.eu/resources/41-community-led-learning-practices-to-inspire-you/

The 41 cases were collected by the four BUDDIES partners across 18 countries, drawn from their professional networks. Together, they offer a snapshot of how European public libraries are reinventing their role today, not as a single model, but as a varied, locally grounded, and continuously evolving practice.

BUDDIES is a project funded by Erasmus+, working with The Europe Challenge to support library and community workers through mentoring, networking, and policy recommendations. It is coordinated by the European Cultural Foundation, in collaboration with Aarhus Bibliotekerne, Athens Comics Library and Public Libraries 2030, and co-funded by the European Union.

10/09/2026

Introducing the organisations and partners behind BUDDIES! Say hello to Dr Lida Tsene, founder of Athens Comics Library. Swipe to get to know Lida better and what excites her about BUDDIES. ➡️

BUDDIES is a project funded by Erasmus+, working with The Europe Challenge to support library and community workers through mentoring, networking, and policy recommendations. It is coordinated by the European Cultural Foundation, in collaboration with Aarhus Public Libraries, Athens Comics, Library and Public Libraries 2030, and co-funded by the European Union.

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Cinisello Balsamo
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http://theeuropechallenge.eu/, https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQw7lVPqhSW9AY9gO_a8ufW2772hWY8Bm&si=hz8mWiZS_QgkFxPv,

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