<< Background >>The economic impact of COVID-19 in the EU is undeniable, with the non-essential retail and commerce, as well as hospitality and cultural sectors as the ones most affected by restrictions. According to a study by www.dbk.es, these are not expected to recover before 2024. This has aggravated the situation for many, which were already in difficulties due increased online shopping (with competing large players) or the upcome of malls on outskirts.While the situation is difficult there is hope for the future, an analysis done in LETZ RETAIL on changing consumer behaviour due to COVID, has shown that 36% of the respondents increased their online shopping and 61% intend to buy more from small local businesses, but most importantly online presence would encourage 90% of consumers to buy from small local businesses. This is confirmed by research from the University of Gallen, which estimates that online commerce will grow annually with 15% and represent 30% of total retail sales in Europe in 2030.The combination of increased interest and willingness to buy from local businesses (and support them) generates opportunities for those capable of providing an answer by “going online”. In LETZ RETAIL ONLINE we understand this as the process to transform business processes to position, market and sell their products and services online, in a (cyber)secure way.The small businesses from the retail, commerce, hospitality and cultural/creative sectors, that want to embrace digital and start their “going online” process need innovative solutions and technologies to cater for their newly launched omni-channel offering, which go beyond the standard offers, of the larger IT providers. They need fresh-thinking, fast response and close connections which small businesses, start-ups and entrepreneurs from the digital sector can offer them. The project addresses the space of intersection and intense cooperation between both sectors needed. The main objective of LETZ RETAIL ONLINE is thus to create a learning programmes which gives the owners, managers and staff from small businesses from the retail, commerce, hospitality and cultural/creative sectors (from now on “small commerce” sector) and the small businesses, start-ups and entrepreneurs from the digital and ICT sector (from now on “small digital” sector), the knowledge, skills and competences to co-create, co-design and collaborate for the digital transformation of the first, allowing them to “go online” in an cost-effective, efficient and secure way.<< Objectives >>The “small commerce” owners, managers or staff in general have low levels of digital skills and a lack of knowledge on the part of managers and owners about the advantages offered by digitalisation in the current context. This generates resistance to “go online” and consider the costs as an investment which will generate return. Campaigns from interest organisations and efforts from public bodies (e.g. through grant programmes) are insufficient to bring about the transformation of the sector. Changing the perspective and perceptions is achieved through positive experiences and success stories, and feel that those providing the digital solutions are partners in the transformation process, accompanying and being an active part of it (something which the larger providers, focussed on more standard solutions do not offer).Small businesses, start-ups and entrepreneurs can provide this flexible, customised, “up-close-and-personal” approach the “small commerce” businesses need. Co-creating, co-designing and cooperating is key for designing workable, viable and usable solutions. By doing this, this “small digital” sector can tap in on the expected boost in online commerce, and in booming areas such as customer service and interaction (from pre- to post-sales) as a customised shopping experience is becoming ever more important, but also (cyber)security. The COVID crisis is expected to induce persistent changes in society and consumer habits or needs, which can, uncover valuable business opportunities for the “small digital” sector that are able to anticipate these changes, e.g. demand for commerce, which can change value chains and transform sectors. The cooperation with the “small commerce” sector, allows to peak into the reality of different sectors, and different needs, and spark the new/innovated ideas, products or services, even for business beyond this sector. With a deep need for continuous innovations and improvements in the very fast developing tech world, this is key to survive, remain competitive and grow.<< Implementation >>Three projects results are developed:PR1 - LETZ RETAIL ONLINE Curriculum, which defines the skills and competence framework, learning objectives and curriculum for the LETZ RETAIL ONLINE programme for co-creation, co-design and collaboration between the small businesses, start-ups and entrepreneurs from the digital sector (from now on “small digital” sector) and the ones from retail, commerce, hospitality and cultural/creative sectors (from now on “small commerce” sector), for the latter to go online..PR2 - LETZ RETAIL ONLINE programme, develops a validated learning content & assessment method, and adapt the existing e-learning space for the LETZ RETAIL ONLINE programme for co-creation, co-design and collaboration between the “small digital” sector and the “small commerce” sector, so the latter can go online in an efficient and secure way, digitalising the related processes.PR3- LETZ RETAIL ONLINE action plans, which elaborates an action plan approach and templates for the small businesses of the two targeted sectors (“small commerce” and “small digital”) to design, implement and monitor the in the co-creating and co-designing of the solution, and the specific activities and effort needed to implement it in a collaborative way (Small Business Action Plan) or to initiate a co-creation, co-design and collaborative process between the LETZ RETAIL ONLINE sectors, and bringing the “small commerce” sector online (Business Hub Action Plan).These are presented to the target groups and stakeholders in the connected multiplier events.<< Results >>LETZ RETAIL ONLINE (LRO) capitalises upon the results from LETZ RETAIL, adding on specific materials and content related to doing business on-line. The combination of both into one single space provides a learning programme in the field of non-formal continuing education for small retail, commerce, hospitality and creative/cultural businesses to help them upfront the challenges and difficulties they face related to the challenges mentioned before. The materials and content developed in LETZ RETAIL ONLINE give them the knowledge, skills and competences to apply the co-creation, co-design and co-working skills acquired in LETZ RETAIL to design, implement and monitor a solid and sustainable strategy for taking maximum advantage of the digitalisation of their businesses. One of the outcomes will be the development of concrete actions plans to do so, customised and adapted to each particular situation and context.