Building Bridges for Inclusion: Lessons from the Library Bridges Project on Local Partnerships for Integration

Abstract

Migration is a longstanding global reality, and libraries are increasingly adapting to support displaced communities. The LiBri project—active in five European countries with 50+ libraries and NGOs—demonstrates how libraries can play a central role in integration by forming strategic partnerships with local authorities and migrant-led groups. Despite being trusted institutions, libraries are often overlooked in inclusion policies. LiBri addressed this by mapping stakeholders, co-creating local strategies, and offering practical tools like intercultural toolkits and advocacy platforms. This session shares replicable strategies for making libraries key drivers of inclusion, inviting global reflection and local action.