Second edition of the European Capitals of Small Retail
The European Capitals of Small Retail initiative will continue with the next edition of the competition, to select the European Capitals of Small Retail 2027. Call for applications for the next edition is expected to open mid-2026.
Prepare for the second edition
Cities interested in applying to the next edition are encouraged to start preparing early. Strong applications typically demonstrate
- clear local strategies supporting small retailers
- measurable impact on urban vitality and local economies
- innovative approaches to digitalisation and sustainability
- strong stakeholder engagement and governance.
Eligibility requirements
All cities from EU countries and Single Market Programme countries (Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Türkiye and Ukraine) are eligible to apply to the ECoSR awards.
For this competition, a ‘city’ is defined as an administrative unit governed by a city council or another democratically elected body.
Cities must meet the following population requirements
- small cities: 5 000 – 50 000 inhabitants
- medium cities: 50 000 – 250 000 inhabitants
- large cities: More than 250 000 inhabitants
Population figures should be based on the most recent census or official population statistics.
Applications for the European Capital of Small Retail 2026 title are now closed, and the winning and finalist cities have been announced. The next edition of the competition is planned to launch soon.
Selection process
Below is the selection process used in the European Capitals of Small Retail 2026 edition. Please note that it is indicated for reference purposes only since the criteria may be subject to change in future editions.
To be considered for the European Capital of Small Retail title, cities must demonstrate excellence and exemplary measures implemented across 4 key criteria of a thriving small retail ecosystem.
- Sustainability: Green initiatives, sustainable supply chains, and environmental policies that support small retailers.
- Entrepreneurship Support and Community Engagement: Programmes that foster small business growth and community involvement.
- Digitalisation: Digital infrastructure, training, and support that help small retailers embrace technology.
- City Attractiveness and Vitality: Urban planning and initiatives that create vibrant retail environments.
In each criterion, each application will be assessed on strategic alignment, innovation, clarity of implementation, and measurable impact. For more detailed information about the evaluation criteria, please download our guide in the 'resources for applicants' section below.
Applications undergo a 3-stage evaluation process.
- Eligibility check: Verification that all submission requirements are met and all necessary documents are provided.
- Expert panel evaluation: Assessment of all eligible applications against the criteria. The 3 highest-scoring applications in each category (9 applications in total) will be shortlisted and invited to present their proposals to the European jury.
- European Jury decision: Following presentations at the awards ceremony in Brussels, the European jury will select 1 winning city per category. The jury will base their decision on both the city's achievements in 4 evaluation criteria and its proposed programme of activities for the title year.
Applications are now closed, and the winning cities – European Capitals of Small Retail 2026 have been selected. Thank you to all cities that submitted proposals and contributed to a successful first edition. Applications for the 2027 title year are expected to open mid-2026.
- commence at least one month before the deadline
- form a dedicated cross-departmental team
- establish internal deadlines
- schedule regular coordination meetings within your team
Applications should preferably be submitted in English, but can also be submitted in any official EU language or SMP language (Albanian, Armenian, Bosnian, Icelandic, Macedonian, Montenegrin, Norwegian, Serbian, Turkish, and Ukrainian). All applications must be submitted by the city administration and include an Endorsement signed by the Mayor or the highest city representative.
