The European Commission has launched the first-ever European Capitals of Small Retail Awards. This initiative stems from a citizens’ petition and was proposed by the Parliament to highlight the vital role of small retailers in revitalising city centres.
These annual awards will honour three cities – one small, one mid-sized, and one large – that have successfully fostered vibrant small retail ecosystems. Cities will be assessed across four key areas: (i) sustainability, (ii) entrepreneurship and community engagement, (iii) digitalisation, and (iv) urban vitality. A European jury will select winners based on their proposed activity programme for 2026 as European Capitals of Small Retail.
Winners will be announced at a ceremony in Brussels in January 2026. Each winning city will benefit from a dedicated high-profile launch event and a full year of European promotion, including media exposure and support for showcasing their initiatives. Short-listed and winning cities will also participate in an exchange program to learn from others’ experiences in supporting small retail.
Cities from the EU and Single Market Programme countries can apply for these awards until 9 October 2025. Further information will be disseminated in the European Capitals of Small Retail newsletter.
