Three Scottish library services took part in the 2025/26 Europe Challenge – an annual programme that brings together libraries and communities across Europe to tackle today’s most pressing social, digital, and climate challenges. Supported by the European Cultural Foundation and its partners, the Challenge empowers local teams to develop, share, and implement creative, community-driven solutions.
The Scottish Library and Information Council is a partner in the Europe Challenge, helping libraries and their communities shape a more inclusive, connected, and sustainable Europe.
Earlier this month more than 220 participants gathered in Amsterdam for the Libraries at the Heart of Europe Summit, the concluding event of the 2025/26 programme. Held from 3-5th June, the summit called for libraries to be fully recognised as essential infrastructure at the core of Europe’s democratic, cultural, and civic life.
Below, Clackmannanshire Council Libraries, East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust, and East Lothian Council share their projects they developed through the Europe Challenge over the past year.
Clackmannanshire Libraries
The Space to Breathe project, created by Alloa Library in partnership with local health group Breathe Easy, brings together environmental education, citizen science, and community wellbeing.
Air-friendly seating areas have been introduced in and around the library, including plants on the bookshelves, a section of seating near the library entrance and one of the individual study seat carrels. Air-quality sensors now monitor CO2 levels, helping the library better understand and improve its indoor environment. The first quarterly results delivered in May revealed the library has excellent indoor air quality. Outside, the library has commissioned a dedicated planter to enhance the library’s green presence on the street and earlier this month the library launched its very own Seed Library.
A monthly Climate Discussion Group has encouraged residents to have meaningful conversations about climate change, air quality and the environment. To help, the library has enhanced its borrowing collection with non-fiction books on indoor plants and environmental issues, as well as some climate fiction titles. The library is now busy organising an autumn programme of talks which will include a lichen study.
East Dunbartonshire Libraries
The Inside Out project aims to transform the neglected outdoor space at Bishopbriggs Library into a green, accessible sanctuary for the whole community.
Consultation events, held in collaboration with partners BetterBriggs and sessions with Youth Ambassadors, have generated valuable ideas for the redesign. Local groups Bishopbriggs in Bloom, Bishopbriggs Men’s Shed, Climate Café and the local community Council have offered plants, tools, and volunteer time, while a programme of nature talks and guided walks with a Conversation Volunteer is planned for later this year.
With preparations well underway, the library is on track to create a year-round garden for storytelling, nature watching, performances, and quiet reflection. Filled with herbs, plants, and native species at attract wildlife, the space will invite residents to connect with the library in new ways.
During the recent Amsterdam Summit, Bishopbriggs Library was able to let colleagues immerse themselves in the experience by blindfolding them in a chair and listening to sound recordings. They also gifted handmade crochet flowers made by the Library Crochet Group and have plans to exchange more crafted items with libraries from other countries.
Future plans include hosting an RSPB puppet show and a monthly Farmer’s Market in the library forecourt. The library is also preparing to lend camping chairs and binoculars to library members which they can take to local parts to experience nature.
East Lothian Council Libraries
Tech Talk, a collaboration between Musselburgh Library, Wallyford Libraries, and Connected Communities, encourages open conversations about technology between young people, families, and professionals.
Children aged between 9-12 meet at the Wallyford Learning Campus to co-create resources such as reading lists and zines, as well as learn through games, activities and crafts. Recently the group developed a comic book resource to help support other families and communities to talk about their online lives. Connected Communities identifies participants and supports delivery through a trained youth worker, while three young volunteers mentor the group.
Through the project young people will gain confidence as leaders, and co-creators while parents and professionals will feel better equipped to guide them. Moving forward, the project will provide a pilot model for other libraries and community groups – amplifying its impact across East Lothian and beyond.
The project helps young people build confidence as leaders and co‑creators, while giving parents and professionals the tools to better support them. Over time, Tech Talk will provide a pilot model for other libraries and community groups, extending its impact across East Lothian and beyond.
The comic, plus a host of other selected resources developed by the group, will be available soon on the TechTalk Padlet.
Find out more about the annual programme – and how to apply – on the European Challenge website.
