Small commercial and service businesses in Barcelona province can now apply for the 10th edition of Comerç 21, a programme run by the Diputació de Barcelona and Pimec Comerç. Applications are open until 9 July, and 50 micro-enterprises will be selected.
The programme is designed to help businesses rethink their model and improve competitiveness. Selected firms will receive 22 hours of group training, 20 hours of individual advice and two hours of follow-up support. This edition also adds one-to-one advisory sessions on artificial intelligence applied to commerce.
Three places are reserved for essential businesses, which provide basic services in smaller towns. The Diputació de Barcelona says these businesses act as central points in local communities, and participating firms will receive tailored support. The province has previously backed the creation of essential businesses in towns including Copons, Pacs de Penedès, Castellolí and Argençola.
The training is valued at €3,000, but participating companies will pay a gross fee of €100. According to the organisers, the new AI sessions will focus on practical uses such as prospecting, attracting customers, handling objections and closing sales.
Olga Serra, deputy for commerce and consumption, said the results from the first nine editions support the programme and that it helps businesses progress in digitalisation, sales, marketing and management professionalisation. Mònica Gregori, president of Pimec Comerç, said the scheme has helped hundreds of businesses adapt to new consumer habits and improve competitiveness.
Since it began, 423 businesses have taken part in Comerç 21, affecting 1,756 jobs. The programme has delivered about 10,600 hours of collective training and 8,300 hours of individual advice. Most participants were retail businesses, with fewer than three employees, and 65% were led by women. For more local business coverage, see our news page.
