Ignite Talk

Introduction to The Europe Challenge is given by Vivian Paulissen

The Europe Challenge comes up with innovative solutions for multiple challenges Europe is facing. The founders of the European Cultural Foundation (ECF), the organisation behind this programme, envisioned a united Europe where citizens can live, express themselves, work and dream freely, in diversity and harmony. We believe our mission is as urgent now as it was back then.

This is why the ECF and is partners created the Europe Challenge: an ambitious initiative designed to explore how people can meet, live and work in Europe today. The premise: to support libraries as democratic spaces that bring communities together to imagine a better future for Europe. Within two years, 39 teams from 16 countries, different urban and rural locations – from the Outer Hebrides of Scotland to one of the most easterly islands of Greece – representing schools, prisons, universities, volunteer libraries and special issue libraries shared and co-challenged various issues we all are facing.

Read more about the 39 initiatives that foster European libraries as democratic spaces: Sense of Belonging.pdf