Policies

Ideas Box by Libraries Without Borders

Context

Crises, such as those experienced in refugee camps, often destroy educational infrastructure, leaving both children and adults without essential learning opportunities. This exacerbates their hardships, impeding their ability to rebuild their lives. Similarly, in underserved urban and rural areas of developed countries, significant gaps in access to quality educational and cultural resources persist, contributing to educational inequities and hindering community development. The Ideas Box addresses these issues comprehensively, providing a portable, adaptable, and comprehensive solution that meets immediate and long-term educational needs.

Solution

Libraries Without Borders (LWB) created the Ideas Box in response to the urgent need for globally accessible educational and cultural resources in crisis-affected and underserved communities. The concept originated in 2010, aiming to deliver rapid educational support in emergencies. The Ideas Box offered displaced and vulnerable populations tools to reconnect with the world, continue their education, and support their social and emotional well-being.

The Ideas Box is a versatile multimedia toolkit that can adapt to any space, transforming it into a vibrant learning environment. Each Ideas Box includes a library with diverse books, educational games, tablets, and laptops equipped with educational software, internet access, and a cinema module with a projector and screen. Its design ensures that it can be easily transported and quickly assembled in various settings, from refugee camps to underserved urban neighbourhoods, providing immediate access to essential educational and cultural resources.

Moreover, the Ideas Box is not just a toolkit but a community-driven initiative. It involves local communities deploying and managing these boxes, ensuring the resources provided are relevant to the local population. This approach fosters local ownership and ensures the program's sustainability. The Idea Box also provides users with psychosocial support through activities promoting emotional well-being and social cohesion.

Impact

Since its inception, Libraries Without Borders (LWB) has positively impacted over 2 million people globally, enhancing access to education, culture, and information for disadvantaged communities. By creating innovative cultural and learning spaces in more than 50 countries, LWB enables individuals in crisis or precarious situations to learn, connect, and build their futures. Notable initiatives include deploying 140 Ideas Box kits in emergency and reconstruction contexts, benefiting over one million refugees and displaced persons by providing essential educational and psychosocial support. Additionally, LWB's efforts to promote education and cultural diversity have reached millions through programs such as Khan Academy in France, supporting over 30 libraries worldwide. The organisation also supports entrepreneurship and social transformation by training over 5,000 librarians through the BSF Campus platform and assisting numerous organisations in their social innovation projects annually.

Analysis

The program’s community-centric approach, involving local stakeholders in deployment and management, enhances its adaptability and sustainability. With proven success in various contexts, robust training programs, and strong partnerships, the Ideas Box demonstrates significant potential for replication and scalability, addressing educational inequities and fostering community development globally.