Launch of European Capitals of Small Retail Awards Contest by the EU
The European Commission has launched the first-ever European Capitals of Small Retail Awards, with a deadline for cities to apply set for October 9, 2025. This initiative, proposed by the European Parliament, aims to honour three city sizes—small, mid-sized, and large—from across Europe that have successfully fostered vibrant small retail ecosystems.
Cities from both EU and Single Market Programme countries are eligible to apply for these awards, which will be given to cities that excel in four key areas: sustainability, entrepreneurship and community engagement, digitalisation, and urban vitality. The winners will be chosen by a European jury based on their proposed activity program for 2026 as European Capitals of Small Retail.
Short-listed and winning cities will participate in an exchange program to learn from others' experiences in supporting small retail. Each winning city will receive support for showcasing their initiatives, as well as a dedicated high-profile launch event. Furthermore, each winner will benefit from a full year of European promotion, including media exposure.
The awards ceremony will take place in Brussels in January 2026, where the winners will be announced. Further information about the awards can be found in the European Capitals of Small Retail newsletter. The awards are an annual event, and this year marks the first instalment of this exciting initiative, which stems from a European citizens' petition.
The awards aim to highlight the vital role of small retailers in revitalising city centres, and the winners will have the opportunity to share their success stories and best practices with other cities across Europe. So, if your city has a thriving small retail sector, don't miss out on this chance to be recognised on a European level. Apply for the European Capitals of Small Retail Awards by October 9, 2025.
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