State Policy for Reading Promotion in European Countries

The relevance of the article. The article addresses the pressing issue of promoting reading in times of global literacy decline and shifting digital habits. For Ukraine, this topic has become increasingly urgent due to the war, reduced state funding, and rising social vulnerability. The purpose of the article. The article aims to analyze state policies for reading promotion in Poland, Finland, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France during 2015–2025, and to identify best practices applicable to Ukraine’s strategic development. The methodology. The study uses comparative analysis, synthesis, and systemic approaches to evaluate policy documents, national programs, and international datasets (PISA, OECD, UNESCO reports). It includes statistical comparison and descriptive case study techniques. The results. The study reveals that effective reading policies combine legislative frameworks, library modernization, support for early and family reading practices, and digital innovation. Key trends include decentralization, community engagement, and public-private partnerships. The scientific novelty. This research is the first to offer a comprehensive analysis of reading promotion policies in selected European countries with explicit focus on potential adaptation for Ukraine’s crisis context and post-war reconstruction. The practical significance. Findings may support Ukrainian policymakers and cultural institutions in improving the National Reading Development Strategy (2023–2032), integrating digital platforms, and expanding access for displaced and vulnerable populations. Conclusions. European experience proves that reading promotion policies are the most effective when grounded in intersectoral cooperation, inclusive access, and consistent institutional support. Ukraine can benefit from these models by localizing them to respond to wartime and recovery challenges.