Bari submits candidacy for European Capital of Small Retail 2027

The city of Bari has officially submitted its dossier to become a candidate for the European Capital of Small Retail 2027. The application focuses on defending the diversity and proximity of commerce as a tool for urban preservation.

Bari is competing in the ‘Visionary city’ category, which is designated for cities with populations exceeding 250,000. The city’s proposal is built upon four main pillars: sustainability, support for entrepreneurship and community involvement, digitalization, and urban attractiveness and vitality.

Key elements of the bid include the ‘d_Bari’ program, which has allocated 12 million euros to support over 300 commercial activities, and urban regeneration projects targeting pedestrian commercial streets and waterfronts. The nine finalists for the title will be announced by November.