Barcelona City Council, through the Department of Trade, Restaurants and Consumer Affairs, is launching a grant scheme with a €500,000 budget for the digital transformation of local shops and neighbourhood restaurants.

The expenses eligible for the grant will be classified under the following categories:

• Category 1: Gaining a basic or extensive online presence. This will include, for example, grants for the creation of a website.
• Category 2: Obtaining an active online presence. This will include, for example, online marketing.
• Category 3: Transformation of an establishment into E-Commerce and Restaurant Services. This will include, for example, the development of online shops.
• Category 4: Digitalisation of an establishment’s processes. This will include, for example, the implementation of digital signage systems.

The grant will be for up to 50% of the cost of the project, with a €7,500.00 cap per application. The rest of the cost must be covered by the applicant, either directly or with co-funding from third parties (public or private, national or international bodies).

Who is it aimed at?

Grants under this scheme can be applied for only by:

• Individual retail establishments.
• Municipal market stalls. (All other collective retail establishments are excluded).
• Individual commercial establishments providing any of the following services:  Mechanical workshops and repair services, photographic and audiovisual services, print and graphic-arts shops, repair services, retail travel agencies, dry cleaners and launderettes, hairdressers, beauty salons, ready-made food and catering services, bars and restaurants, veterinary clinics with a physical store.

Submittal of applications and application period

The application submission period will run from today, 22 July to 21 August 2020. No applications submitted outside this period will be considered. Grant must be applied for online through Barcelona City Council’s Procedures Portal.

To find out about the conditions and eligibility requirements for applicants, as well as all other related information, click here.