Barnsley Libraries selected to take part in Europe Challenge programme

Barnsley Libraries has been awarded a place on the Europe Challenge for 2025/26, joining an international network of libraries and communities working together to tackle some of Europe’s most pressing challenges through creativity and collaboration.

The Europe Challenge is a programme initiated by the European Cultural Foundation. It 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.

Barnsley’s project, It Only Takes One Seed, has been chosen as one of 60 successful projects from more than 300 applications across 20 countries. Developed in partnership with local charity Creative Recovery, the project has received €9,520 in funding as part of the Europe Challenge to help create a greener, more sustainable future for Barnsley.

Building on previous sustainable-focused work by Barnsley Libraries and Creative Recovery, It Only Takes One Seed will transform the Library @ The Lightbox into a vibrant green hub featuring creative interventions and a dedicated seed library to spark conversations and spread positive messages about climate and sustainability.

This year’s activity will also be boosted by a Libraries NPO artist residency. Working with Creative Recovery participants, an artist will lead hands-on workshops in sustainable practice, inspiring communities to reclaim nature one seed at a time and take small, practical steps towards making Barnsley a greener place.

Cllr Wendy Cain, Cabinet Spokesperson for Public Health and Communities, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for Barnsley to work as part of a Europe-wide initiative while continuing to inspire local communities to come together around climate action and creativity. By connecting our libraries with international networks and local partners, we can create a community of hope around a greener future for Barnsley.”

For more information about the Europe Challenge, visit theeuropechallenge.eu. You can keep up to date with news and events at our Libraries by following Barnsley Libraries on Facebook.