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Gloucestershire Libraries is proud to be taking part in the Europe Challenge 2025/26, a programme bringing together libraries and communities across Europe to explore new ways of strengthening connection, creativity, and inclusion.
Our project, Library Littles Without Walls, takes a much-loved library initiative beyond our buildings and into the heart of the community. In partnership with The Friendship Café, we’re co-creating welcoming, joyful cultural experiences that support family connections and creative expression. By bringing Library Littles sessions to community spaces, we’re making libraries more accessible and building relationships that last.
Members of our team recently attended the London gathering, represented by one colleague from Gloucestershire Libraries and a partner from The Friendship Café. Together, they joined peers from the library and cultural sectors from across Europe to exchange ideas and reflect on the role of libraries as community spaces. A video captured by one of the attendees offers a snapshot of that collaborative spirit, you can watch it here: Europe Challenge
We’re delighted to represent Gloucestershire in this international network, learning from our European partners, working closely with our community collaborators, and celebrating the role that libraries play in shaping inclusive, creative communities across the county.
The Europe Challenge, initiated by the European Cultural Foundation, brings together libraries and communities to address Europe’s key transitions — social, digital, and green — by implementing creative solutions in their local areas. The 2025/26 edition is kindly supported by public funding through Arts Council England, Fondazione Cariplo, and the Scottish Library and Information Council.
