The institutions of the European Union, the Parliament and the Commission, have launched a pioneering award that recognises the best work of cities and towns in revitalising small retail as one of the hearts of the proximity economy: the title of European Capitals of Small Retail (ECoSR). This initiative arose from a citizen petition by Barcelona Comerç and Vitrines d’Europe and promoted by the European Parliament, will highlight up to three cities and towns (small, medium and large) with exemplary programmes in sustainability, entrepreneurship and community commitment, digitalisation and urban attractiveness and vitality.

The official launch of the call took place on 3 July at the European Parliament, with the presence of a delegation from the Petitioner and institutional representatives such as the Vice-Chair of the Petitions Committee, Ms Dolors Montserrat, and the Deputy Director-General of DG Grow of the European Commission, Mr Hubert Gambs, and a member of the Committee of the Regions, Mr. Kieran McCarthy.

The project has been strongly defended by citizens, from the ground up, and by Barcelona Comerç and Vitrines d’Europe, and has the unanimous support of the European Parliament and the Commission. This initiative is aligned with the Transition Route, a European strategy aimed at strengthening the role of the local and small commercial fabric in a more digital and sustainable environment.

Small businesses are a form of local economy that has close links with the social fabric of neighborhoods and communities. They participate in daily life, have a lot to do with the quality of life, cohesion and solidarity of communities. And with their identity and lifestyle.

The European Capitals of Small Retail will be open to all cities in the EU and the Single Market program, 41 member states and more of 100.000 municipalities, with a submission deadline of October 9, 2025. The winning cities will be selected by a European jury and will be announced during an official ceremony in Brussels in January 2026. The chosen ones will enjoy a full year of European promotion, with media campaigns, dissemination of the project and active participation in an international network for the exchange of good practices of small retailers, entities and associations of retailers and local governments.

Good news for the European proximity economy!