The award
The winners of the first edition of the European Capitals of Small Retail (ECoSR) competition will be announced at the awards ceremony in Brussels on 28 January 2026. 3 cities will be selected to hold the title of the European Capital of Small Retail 2026, representing different population categories
- Vanguard City: for cities between 5 000 and 50 000 inhabitants
- Vibrant City: for cities between 50 000 and 250 000 inhabitants
- Visionary City: for cities above 250 000 inhabitants
The title year begins in February 2026 and marks a 12-month period of enhanced visibility, learning opportunities, and collaborative exchange.
You can now discover the shortlisted cities and register to attend the awards ceremony.
Benefits for winning cities
Winning cities receive a comprehensive package of non-financial support
- European-level recognition and prestige
- promotional support throughout the title year
- invitations to exclusive networking events with other leading cities
- participation in the small retail exchange programme to share and learn best practices
- assistance with organising workshops and webinars
- extensive media coverage, including professional video production
- enhanced city branding and tourism visibility
Countdown to Brussels award ceremony event
The evaluation process is now complete, and we are thrilled to announce that the shortlisted cities have been selected. Registration for the awards ceremony in Brussels on 28 January 2026 is officially open. At the ceremony, finalist cities will pitch their candidacy in front of a European jury during this event and the winning cities will be selected.
The awards ceremony will be a dynamic platform for cities to showcase their achievements, share insights with peers, and inspire action across Europe in the revitalisation of small retail. Do not miss the chance to be part of this celebration of innovation, collaboration and transformative urban projects! The detailed agenda of the ceremony is now available.
