Libraries throughout Scotland can now apply to take part in the Europe Challenge 2025-26. The annual programme brings together teams from libraries and communities across Europe to address pressing social, digital and climate challenges.
Previous participants include Falkirk Libraries, Culture Perth and Kinross, City of Glasgow College and Shetland Library who have all benefited from taking part in the collaborative programme.
Libraries can gain up to €10,000 in funding as well as the opportunity to attend a series of online and in-person workshop and mentoring sessions. Additional peer-to-peer exchange, networking and travel opportunities are also available.
SLIC is a partner in the initiative which sees a growing number of European libraries work together to enhance democratic participation and social and environmental wellbeing through citizen-led local change. Since 2020, 96 libraries and communities from 26 countries from across Europe have been connecting with each other through the programme – implementing vital projects that have benefited over 150,000 Europeans of all ages and walks of life.
Previous Scottish Winners
Falkirk
Falkirk Libraries and Falkirk’s Mental Health Association have worked together to create ‘Libraries Growing for Recovery’. The project transformed a disused plot of land into a vibrant learning garden promoting community wellbeing and belonging.
Borrowable starter packs include growing guides, seeds, tools and gardening books to empower residents to grow their own food. Users can also attend workshops and access a directory of local producers which helps to promote economic, health and environmental benefits. The garden offers a safe and inclusive place to encourage wellbeing as well as for learning and resource-building. It nurtures confidence and a sense of belong amongst local residents.
City of Glasgow College
The Library at the City of Glasgow College has long been considered a haven by students. Working together, they created City Zine – allowing the library to move beyond their supportive role and explore how to develop an authentic conversion with students. As well as encouraging, collecting and curating zines by students and staff members, the project has also developed a creative safe space where students are free to express their experiences and viewpoints. It provides a welcoming environment for them to experience the collection and read the views of others on a myriad of topics.
The project is helping to support students in sharing their own stories. So far, over 200 zines have been curated with more being added on a regular basis.
Perth & Kinross
The Reading for Recovery initiative is a collaborative project between the Prison Library at HM Prison in Perth and Culture Perth and Kinross. The project provides resources as well as workshops from educators, facilitators and creatives to tackle some of the complex needs of the prison community.
A popular Reading Group activity has been built into the prison’s weekly diary of activities, with each participant receiving a gift of a dictionary. Reading Group members act as advocates for the project – encouraging others to sign up. The overall goal is to tackle some of the inequalities and lack of literacy skills often stemming from negative experiences within early learning settings and intensified by economic disadvantage.
Western Isles
The Great Hebridean WonderbagTM Project aims to tackle fuel poverty on the Western Isles. It is a joint initiative between Western Isles Libraries and community group Na h-Eileanan which focuses on experimenting with energy-free cooking.
The WonderbagTM method is a type of energy-free slow cooker that uses two insulted bags to cook food over a number of hours. To launch the project, 10 residents of all different ages and locations were gifted a WonderbagTM, a cooking pot, a thermometer and a sample recipe book. Each resident kept a video diary of their experiences. The videos are now being used alongside cooking demonstrations to encourage more residents to try the innovative solution to energy-free cooking.
Shetland Library
In 2024 Louise Scollay, Archive and Library Assistant at Shetland Library, was one of the winners of the writing competition ‘How a Library Changed My Life’ as part of The Europe Challenge programme. Louise’s hard-hitting submission was one of over 300 entries across 47 countries. It showcases the life-changing impact of libraries and their deserved place in their heart of our local communities.
The Application Process
The Europe Challenge places community librarianship – librarianship which focuses on the unique needs of local communities – at the heart of their programme. It equips library and community workers across Europe with funding, skills, resources and networks to develop creative solutions that enhance democratic, social and environmental wellbeing.
To take part, libraries are invited to develop, share and implement creative solutions with support from the European Cultural Foundation and its partners.
Priority topics for 2025 2026 include projects which address one or more of Europe’s key transitions: social, digital, and green. Proposed projects should contribute to building a more inclusive, connected, and sustainable Europe.
Applications must be submitted by two co-applicants – a representative from a library and a representative from a community group from an eligible country with a shared vision of how to change their community for the better. Both the library and community group must be able to turn their idea into a practical solution that can be shared across their own locality and internationally.
To help with the application process, SLIC will be delivering an informal online Q&A session on Thursday April 24th. Previous participants from across Scotland will also be taking part – giving libraries the opportunity to ask first-hand about the Europe Challenge experience. If you are member of SLIC and would like to attend, please contact us for more details.
The Europe Challenge website also has detailed information about how to apply. The deadline for proposals is 12 noon (CEST) on Thursday May 29th.
