Barcelona’s designation as European Capital of Local Retail 2026 was made possible by a collaborative governance model that brought together public administrations, retail associations, and other key players in the ecosystem. This workshop will examine the lessons learned throughout this process and the potential of multi-stakeholder cooperation to drive innovative policies that support local retail.
The session will present the working model developed through the technical governance group that has coordinated the various initiatives of the European Capital of Local Retail. Participants will share their experiences of building a shared vision, encouraging the involvement of all stakeholders, and reaching consensus on the strategic goals of the retail sector.
In addition, the session will review some of the most notable actions carried out during Barcelona’s year as European Capital of Local Retail and assess their impact on areas such as competitiveness, talent, international visibility, and social cohesion. It will also discuss how this model could be transferred to other European cities interested in strengthening their retail ecosystems.
This workshop offers an opportunity to reflect on the role of shared governance as a tool for building more effective, inclusive, and sustainable public policies in support of small retail.
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