The Europe Challenge 2024: Libraries, Communities and Democracy

The European Cultural Foundation is calling for applications from libraries and communities in Europe for their Europe Challenge 2024: Libraries, Communities and Democracy programme, January to September 2024. The programme provides support to implement projects and the opportunity to take part in a mentoring programme with alumni of the Europe Challenge. 

The Europe Challenge programme supports community-led local change by equipping libraries across Europe with the resources to develop creative solutions that enhance the democratic participation and the social and environmental wellbeing of the community. 

The programme

The Europe Challenge equips participants with the tools to develop and implement creative solutions through:

• a series of online and in-person workshop and mentoring sessions
• funding of up to EUR 10.000 (optional)
• additional peer-to-peer exchange opportunities and travel

From January to August 2024 the selected challenge teams will attend 3 facilitated online workshops. They may also attend one or more optional masterclasses that offer advice on specific topics. Challenge teams are also encouraged to engage in online peer-to-peer exchanges with a mentor. 

The first live meeting is held in March 2024, giving challenge teams the chance to meet in person, share their experiences with peers, discuss their projects, and attend workshops that support the solution-building process. The costs of attending this European meeting are covered as part of the programme. 

In late September 2024, one library member from each challenge team is invited to present their solution at the “Marketplace” in Amsterdam. 

Who can apply?

The applicant must be a library and community group from an eligible European country with a shared vision of how to change their community for the better. The library and community group have identified a local challenge, and are ready to turn their ideas into a practical solution. 

The Europe Challenge 2024 application guidelines  

Deadline: 16 October 2023

The Europe Challenge is initiated by the European Cultural Foundation and supported by Fondazione Cariplo, the Scottish Libraries and Information Council, and public funding by Arts Council England.