The digital platform NIRE-Orio is now operational in Orio. This initiative, promoted by the Association of Merchants and Hostellers of Orio (Arkupe) and developed through the Federation of Gipuzkoa Merchant Associations Dendartean, aims to strengthen local commerce, increase the visibility of local establishments, and foster relationships between citizens and merchants. The project was made possible with funding from the Department of Tourism, Commerce, and Consumption of the Basque Government and support from the Orio City Council.
The platform was presented this morning in Orio, with the attendance of Izaskun Gomez, Director of Commerce for the Basque Government; Anuska Esnal, Mayoress of Orio, and Lourdes Salsamendi, councilor of the Orio City Council; Xabier Aldalur, technician at Dendartean; and Leire Echeverria, president of Arkupe, along with members Karmele Garmendia and Ainhoa Gabirondo.
NIRE-Orio will serve as a digital showcase for the town's shops, service companies, and hospitality establishments. Through the platform, users will be able to access information about establishments, products, services, news, and offers in an easy and unified manner. The tool is designed to be used from a smartphone and aims to function as a social network for local businesses.
Establishments will have the opportunity to update their information, publish content and promotions, and communicate directly with customers. Citizens, in turn, will be able to discover Orio's offerings, consult products or services, and in some cases, place orders or make purchases through the platform.
Izaskun Gomez, Director of Commerce for the Basque Government, explained that NIRE-Orio is not merely a technological project: «It is centered on people. It is an opportunity for local shops, associations, producers, and businesses to manage their digital presence autonomously, increase visibility, and strengthen relationships with customers, partners, and communities».
Anuska Esnal, Mayoress of Orio, highlighted the importance of small businesses in the daily life of the town and advocated for a commitment to the circular economy and local consumption: «Small establishments are essential for the well-being of the town; without shops, there is no vibrant town». From the municipal perspective, tools like NIRE-Orio can help adapt local commerce to current consumption patterns, valuing close relationships and the local economy.
Xabier Aldalur, a technician from Dendartean, detailed the platform's technical aspects, emphasizing that NIRE-Orio was created to be a practical and user-friendly tool: «The platform will allow establishments to manage their offerings autonomously and foster more direct communication with customers».
Leire Echeverria, a representative from Arkupe, also highlighted the work of the association network in promoting local commerce, noting that «it is difficult for small shops to compete online and against the logic of large shopping centers; collaboration, however, opens up new opportunities».
The NIRE-Orio platform is now available to citizens and will be continuously enriched with content in the coming weeks and months through the participation of local establishments and stakeholders. The goal is for it to be a dynamic tool that gathers information related to daily consumption, the town's offerings, and local activities.
The Orio City Council, in collaboration with the Arkupe association and other stakeholders, calls on citizens to use the platform, as consuming at local establishments will help strengthen Orio's economy and build community.
