Accessible libraries and bookshops for neurodivergent people: a training programme (KA210 Proposal)

We are seeking two European partners for the development of a Small-Scale Partnership (KA210) proposal, preferably newcomer and/or less experienced organizations.

Objective of the proposal:

This project aims to enhance the accessibility and inclusivity of independent bookstores and small libraries by equipping booksellers and librarians with the skills and tools necessary to engage neurodivergent individuals. It responds to the growing need for specialized, community-oriented cultural spaces that offer more than traditional retail services.

The initiative will focus on:

1. Developing a specialized training program for independent booksellers, cultural operators and librarians to foster inclusivity and accessibility in their activities.
2. Actively involving neurodivergent individuals in designing and implementing training modules to ensure their needs are authentically represented.
3. Establishing a sustainable European network dedicated to strengthening independent bookstores and libraries and improving access to culture for neurodivergent audiences.
4. Promoting an inclusive book culture that aligns with European values of diversity, accessibility, and cultural participation.

Through training, networking, and direct engagement, the project ultimately seeks to empower booksellers, cultural operators and librarians as key facilitators of social inclusion, transforming their realities into vibrant, accessible cultural hubs.

We are preferably looking for 2 partners who:

1. Specialize in training within the cultural sector, preferably with experience in reading-related activities and, more broadly, in accessibility and inclusion.

2. Actively engage neurodivergent individuals, both young and adult (aged 16 and above, for example), in their activities, such as social animation initiatives.

3. Regularly address neurodivergence and atypical cognitive functioning in their work.

4. Have the capacity to involve, as associates, small bookstores, cultural operators, and other nonprofit organizations, in order to effectively implement the training programme.

5. Preferably are newcomers to the Erasmus+ Program, considering that this proposal falls under KA210 Small-Scale Partnerships.

If your organization is interested, we invite you to send us a brief introduction, including a description of your activities, your PIF (or equivalent), and your availability for an initial online meeting.