Barcelona aims to become the first European capital of proximity trade in 2026, competing against Zaragoza and Utrecht for the prestigious title.
The European Commission has selected the Catalan capital as one of three finalists in its ‘Visionary’ category for cities over 250,000 inhabitants.
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Consequently, the winner will be announced at a ceremony in Brussels on 28 January.
Barcelona Aims To Showcase Its Local Commerce Model
The city’s candidacy, developed jointly by the Barcelona City Council and local trade organisations, highlights its strengths across four key evaluation criteria. These include trade sustainability, support for entrepreneurship, digitalisation, and urban vitality. Furthermore, Economic Promotion Commissioner Nadia Quevedo confirmed that specific activities are already being prepared to showcase what she described as Barcelona’s “model of excellence.”
This European initiative, driven by Barcelona Comercio and Vitrinas de Europe, was approved by the European Parliament in 2023. The city formally confirmed its candidacy in October at an event led by Mayor Jaume Collboni. The winning city must demonstrate its capacity to become a mirror of best practices for other European municipalities.
Therefore, Barcelona’s strategy focuses on strengthening a sustainable, innovative, and resilient local trade model. The council considers this an essential engine for the city’s economic, social, and urban development. Moreover, the approach aligns with major municipal plans, including the Impulsa 2035 Plan and the Climate Plan.
The city’s Strategic Trade Plan emphasises entrepreneurship, training, and generational renewal. Additionally, it works on competitiveness, digitalisation, and promoting local commerce. Environmental and social responsibility also form key pillars, alongside reactivating ground-floor premises and fostering public-private cooperation.
This focus on sustainable urban development comes as the Catalan economy demonstrates robust growth, outperforming the EU average. A thriving local commerce sector is seen as vital to maintaining this momentum. The initiative represents a significant opportunity to highlight Barcelona’s unique commercial landscape on a European stage.
Barcelona aims to become a benchmark for other cities, proving that a strong local trade network is fundamental to urban vitality. The final decision now rests with the European Commission, with the city eagerly awaiting the January announcement.
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