European integration is a constant work in progress. In addition to its traditional core mission as the EU's assembly of regional and local representatives, the Committee of the Regions wants to encourage a wide-ranging debate on the future of Europe beyond the Brussels institutions.
The Committee of the Regions has a vision of a European Union working in partnership: a Union fostering a culture of multilevel governance.
In today's age of globalisation, the Committee of the Regions believes there is a need for a better understanding of the role and place of regional and local authorities in priority areas such as:
- the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty
- the review of the EU's financial framework
- overarching strategies such as Europe 2020
- the reform of structural policies
- the future of territorial cohesion
- demographic change
- energy and climate change
1. Public Consultation - White Paper on Multilevel Governance (2009)
In a public consultation on its political orientation paper on multilevel governance, the Committee of the Regions aimed to sound out authorities, associations and other stakeholders on how best to promote multilevel governance in Europe.
Read more about the White Paper on Multilevel Governance
2. Eurobarometer Survey "Role and impact of local and regional authorities within the EU" (2008)
Conducted in all 27 Member States, the survey aimed to better understand how citizens evaluate the importance of the various levels of public authorities and to measure public awareness of the Committee of the Regions.
Read more about the Eurobarometer Survey
3. CoR Ateliers: a meeting place for academics and experts
The Committee of the Regions has set up the Ateliers in order to gradually establish the institution amongacademic centres of excellence and leading think tanks.
Ateliers Cycles:
- "Multilevel Governance in Europe" (2008-09)
- "Co-governing Globalization: What Role for Local and Regional Authorities?" (2010-2011)
Read more about the CoR Ateliers
4. Related publications
One of the CoR's primary goals is to keep the academic debate alive and encourage policy-makers to look ahead to developments in European and global governance. The CoR's publications are an essential part of this process. They provide a platform for academics and politicians to share their evaluations on the future of EU policies that have a regional, local and territorial impact. Here are some examples of publications related to multilevel governance:
Read more about the publications