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Europe in my Region
About
About
The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is the voice of regions and cities in the European Union (EU). It represents local and regional authorities across the European Union and advises on new laws that have an impact on regions and cities (70% of all EU legislation).
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President
President
Vasco Alves Cordeiro was elected President of the European Committee of the Regions in June 2022.
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First Vice-President
First Vice-President
Apostolos Tzitzikostas was born on September 2, 1978. He studied Government and International Relations at Georgetown University, in Washington DC. After graduating in 2000, he had his first working experience at the Office of the President of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the United States Congress. In 2002 he obtained a Masters Degree on European Public Policy and Economics from the University College of London. Following his studies, he created his own company on the field of production, processing and standardization of dairy products, based on organic standards.
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Secretary-General
Secretary-General
The Secretary-General of the European Committee of the Regions has overall responsibility for preparing proceedings and implementing decisions taken by the statutory bodies: The Plenary Assembly, the Bureau, the Conference of Presidents and the President himself.
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Protocol service
Protocol service
As the EU's assembly of local and regional representatives, the European Committee of the Regions is a political institution whose work involves maintaining close relations with senior representatives at European, national, regional and local levels.
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Tenders
Tenders
The European Committee of the Regions uses tendering and other processes to carry its work. Learn more in this page and find all relevant information.
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Work with us
Work with us
Jobs
At the CoR, you will have the opportunity to address the future challenges of the EU while thriving in a friendly work environment that respects human diversity and enhances individual creativity.
Traineeships
The CoR is a relatively young institution and, as such, recognizes the importance of giving voice to the ideas of newcomers and younger generations. Involving young people in the EU decision-making process is precisely the aim of the CoR traineeship programme.
Our work
Our work
The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) intervenes at several stages of the EU law-making process. CoR commissions draft opinions on EU legislative proposals and members gather in plenary to vote and adopt those opinions. The CoR also works closely with national, regional and local authorities, making their voices heard and fostering political debate, not only in Brussels, but also in EU regions and cities, outside Europe and online.
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The State of Regions and Cities in the European Union
The State of Regions and Cities in the European Union
On 9 October 2023, the Committee of the Regions will publish its EU Annual Report on the State of Regions and Cities, as a snapshot of the most pressing challenges faced by regions and cities across Europe, as well as solutions from the ground to inform EU policy decisions.
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Political priorities 2020–2025
Political priorities 2020–2025
Local and regional authorities, represented in the EU by the European Committee of the Regions, have always been the backbone of European democracy. The recent COVID-19 pandemic showed local and regional leaders as the driving force of local communities, responding during the emergency and leading the EU's recovery. Bringing Europe closer to people through its villages, cities and regions will therefore be the primary mission of our Committee achieved through three main priorities.
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Plenary sessions
Plenary sessions
The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) holds up to 6 plenary sessions each year. Plenary sessions give the opportunity for CoR Members (or Alternates) to voice their opinions on EU law that may have an impact on regions and cities in the 27 EU countries.
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Bureau
Bureau
The Bureau is a group of CoR members that can be thought of as CoR's political driving force: it draws up its political priorities and oversees their implementation. The Bureau meets before each plenary session to coordinate the work of the plenary assembly and the commissions. It also gathers two times a year in extraordinary meetings in the EU country holding the Presidency of the Council of the EU.
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Conference of Presidents
Conference of Presidents
The Conference of Presidents (CoP) consists of the President, the First Vice-President and the Presidents of all political groups. The CoP prepares the work and facilitates the search for political consensus on decisions to be taken by the other constitutive bodies (the Plenary Assembly, the Bureau, and the commissions).The CoP meets ahead of each Bureau meeting, usually on the same day. Extraordinary meetings are also organised in Brussels or abroad, notably twice a year in the EU country holding the Presidency of the Council of the EU.
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Opinions
Opinions
The European Commission consults the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) at the earliest stage in the European legislative process on policy areas that directly affect the local and regional authorities. The CoR may also proactively adopt a position on a particular issue through an own-initiative opinion.
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Commissions
Commissions
The legislative work of the European Committee of the Regions is carried by six thematic commissions and cover a broad range of areas which are relevant to local and regional authorities. In the commissions, Members of the CoR produce opinions on UE legislative proposals and initiatives, as well as discuss other issues relevant to the work of Europe's more than one million local politicians.
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CIVEX (Commission for Citizenship, Governance, Institutional and External affairs)
Commission for Citizenship, Governance, Institutional and External Affairs, CIVEX, constitutional issues, democracy, devolution, subsidiarity, justice, future of Europe, migration, integration, fundamental rights, enlargement, neighbourhood, development cooperation.
COTER (Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy and EU Budget)
In addition to cohesion policy, the COTER commission closely follows the Multiannual Financial Framework and EU Budget, as well as transport policy, territorial development, cross-border cooperation, spatial planning and urban matters.
ECON (Commission for Economic Policy)
The Commission for Economic Policy (ECON) coordinates ECON members' input on issues related to economic and industrial policy, such as competition and State Aid policy, public procurement, SME policy and entrepreneurship, economic governance and the European Semester, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), the internal market and the digital single market. Its activities also encompass economic and monetary policy, taxation policy, international trade and tariffs (including WTO issues) and local/regional finances.
ENVE (Commission for Environment, Climate change and Energy)
The Commission for the Environment, Climate Change and Energy (ENVE) is responsible for coordinating the Committee of the Regions' work in fields related to the European Green Deal, which include the environment biodiversity, circular economy and zero pollution, climate change, energy and space policies. The commission is also responsible for the Green Deal Local Working Group and other networks and platforms such as the Covenant of Mayors National Ambassadors, CoR Climate Pact Ambassadors and the Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform. At global level, the commission plays a leading role in CoR involvement at UN conferences for climate change and biodiversity.
NAT (Commission for Natural Resources)
The NAT commission brings together over 100 mayors, councillors and regional presidents and covers a wide range of topics related to rural development, health, agriculture, forestry, fishery, civil protection, consumer protection and tourism. The Rural Agenda for Europe and the public health are the leading policy themes in the current mandate.
SEDEC (Commission for Social Policy, Education, Employment, Research and Culture)
The SEDEC commission is in charge of employment, social policies, education, training (including lifelong learning), sports and culture related dossiers. SEDEC is also responsible for equality, social economy and youth files, as well as research, innovation and artificial intelligence.
Interregional groups
Interregional groups
Established as from February 2007, interregional groups are platforms to exchange views and create new ideas between local and regional authorities in the Member States and beyond.
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Networks
Networks
CoR networks enable regions and cities to contribute to the EU debate and to exchange experiences and best practice in specific EU policies.CoR networks enable regions and cities to contribute to the EU debate and to exchange experiences and best practice in specific EU policies.
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International cooperation
International cooperation
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Enlargement countries
The CIVEX Commission of the CoR is responsible for the institutional position on EU enlargement policy.
Eastern Partnership (CORLEAP)
Set up by the CoR in 2011, the Conference of Regional and Local Authorities for the Eastern Partnership (CORLEAP) is the political forum of local and regional authorities from the European Union and the Eastern Partnership countries.It is the only EU platform that offers an opportunity to discuss the contribution by cities and regions in the development of the Eastern Partnership.
Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM)
The Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM) is an assembly of local and regional representatives from the European Union and its Mediterranean partners.
Better Regulation
Better Regulation
Active subsidiarity and multilevel governance are key principles and fundamental features for the EU functioning and democratic accountability. Local and regional authorities play an essential role when it comes to formulating and implementing EU policies. Therefore, the EU must involve cities and regions better and more strategically in all the decision-making processes and at all stages of the policy-making cycle.
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Subsidiarity Monitoring Network
The Subsidiarity Monitoring Network (SMN) was set up to facilitate the exchange of information between local and regional authorities and the Union level through the whole policy cycle regarding various documents and legislative proposals which, once adopted, will have a direct impact on these authorities and the policies for which they are responsible.
Regional Hubs
The CoR launched a new generation of its Regional Hubs Network (RegHub). Its members monitor the implementation of EU policies on the ground and make sure that the voices of hundreds of regional and local stakeholders are taken into account when these policies are evaluated at European level.
Territorial Impact Assessment (TIA)
Territorial Impact Assessments (TIAs) aim to provide the Committee of the Regions' (CoR) rapporteurs with an analysis of the potential territorial impact of EU legislative proposals.
Members
Members
Search for the CoR members
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National delegations
National delegations
National delegations are made up of CoR members from each of 27 EU countries. They reflect the political, geographical and local balance of each Member State.
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Members' portal
Members' portal
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News
News
Page dedicated to the news which presents all CoR activities.
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Newsletter
Newsletter
Personalized Newsletter from the European Committee of the Regions.
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Events
Events
The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is the meeting place in Brussels for Europe's regions and cities. We welcome about 50,000 visitors a year, participating at the main CoR expert events or at one of the 200 hosted conferences organised by regions, cities or associations.
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European Week of Regions and Cities
European Week of Regions and Cities
The European Week of Regions and Cities is the biggest annual event dedicated to regional policy. During this annual four-day event, regions and cities showcase their capacity to create growth and jobs, implement European Union cohesion policy, and prove the importance of the local and regional level for good European governance.
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EuroPCom
EuroPCom
EuroPCom, the European Public Communication Conference, is an annual conference and networking event for communication experts from local, regional, national and European authorities, as well as private communication agencies, NGOs and academia. Since its launch in 2009, EuroPCom has featured high-level speakers from the world of public communication, workshops, participatory ideas labs and training sessions, plus a EuroPCom Market Place for participants to network and engage with exhibitors.
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Summits
Summits
Every two years, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) holds a European Summit of Regions and Cities.
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Engage
Engage
The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) encourages participation at all levels, from regional and local authorities to fellow citizens. Find out how you can participate! Online surveys, consultations and events are open to regional and local authorities, associations, NGOs, experts and academics.
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In the spotlight
In the spotlight
Alliance for Ukraine
The European Alliance of Cities and Regions for the Reconstruction of Ukraine was launched by the CoR and its partners, including EU and Ukrainian associations of local and regional authorities, to coordinate their joint efforts directed towards helping the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine.
A new chapter for EU democracy
The new chapter for EU democracy campaign focuses on strengthening the democratic culture in Europe's regions and cities by promoting civic education, further encouraging youth participation and gender balance in decision-making, and fostering the debate on EU issues within local and regional elections.
Green Deal Going Local
Green Deal Going Local is a flagship initiative of the European Committee of the Regions that aims to place cities and regions at the heart of the EU's transition to climate neutrality.
Cohesion as an EU value
One of the European Committee of the Regions' main priorities for 2020 to 2025 is to demonstrate that cohesion is not (just) money, but a fundamental value of the European Union. Through its own activities and through those carried out with the #CohesionAlliance, the Committee is committed to making sure that economic, social and territorial cohesion is fostered and respected in all EU policies.
Young Elected Politicians
The Young Elected Politicians programme (YEPs) is a network of politicians who are no older than 40 and hold a mandate at regional or local level in the EU. A call for applications to join the programme is published each year. YEPs will have the opportunity to get in contact with other young politicians through the YEP Community, to attend trainings on EU topics, and to participate in activities organised by the CoR, including meetings with rapporteurs, events and seminars organised by the CoR, and communication activities.
EU Councillors
The European network of regional and local councillors is an initiative run by the EU Institutions and addressed to local or regional politicians having a political mandate at regional or local level in one of the EU Member States.
Awards
Awards
European Entrepreneurial Region (EER)
The European Entrepreneurial Region (EER) is a project that identifies and rewards EU regions and cities which show an outstanding and innovative entrepreneurial policy strategy, irrespective of their size, wealth and competences.
Mayor Paweł Adamowicz award
for courage and excellence in the promotion of freedom, solidarity and equality.
EU organic awards
The EU organic awards are jointly organised by the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), the European Commission, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC, COPA-COGECA and IFOAM Organics Europe. These awards aim to recognise excellence along the organic value chain, rewarding the best and most innovative actors in organic production in the EU.
Arlem award
The Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (ARLEM), in collaboration with its close partners and supporters, grants an award to a young entrepreneur at local level from the Mediterranean partner countries of ARLEM.
Resources
Resources
Access to documents
The Treaty of Amsterdam introduced a new Article 255, which provides for a right of access for citizens to documents of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission. These three institutions have adopted Regulation (EC) 1049/2001 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents, and subsequently, in a joint declaration, have asked the other European agencies and bodies to adopt similar rules on the matter.
Archives
The CoR Archives Service is responsible for organising, protecting, managing, describing and preserving the Committee's documentary resources, and providing them to the public. Once they are delivered to the Archives Service by the originating departments, the archives are repackaged, scanned and put on microfiche so as to ensure their physical preservation. A description of each file is made so that search tools (inventories) can be created.
CoR Mobile APP
The mobile app of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) brings you real-time notifications about news, events and opinions on your preferred topics. Save your favourite items and share contents as you go from meeting to meeting via social media and other channels.
Digital Masterclasses
Brought to you by the CoR social media team, the Digital Masterclasses keep you up to date with the ever-changing digital media landscape. The project comprises both an academic and hands-on approach, allowing its participants to learn about new communication techniques and gain a wide range of digital skills.
Documentation centre
The Documentation centre of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is the place to be when you are looking for information about Europe from a grass roots perspective.
eTranslation
Safe and secure EU-wide translation tool which base on software or artificial network instead of human translators to translate text on multiply languages.
Publications
Social Media Toolkit
Place to spread the word about EuroPCom. Which is the largest annual event for experts in the field of public communication.
Studies
Visit us
Visit us
The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) organises information visits for members of the public who want to find out more about how the CoR operates and about the role of the regions in shaping the content of European Union legislation.
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Member's Profile
Valdas BENKUNSKAS
Mayor of Vilnius
Political group
EPP (European People's Party)
Commissions
CIVEX (Commission for Citizenship, Governance, Institutional and External affairs)
ENVE (Commission for Environment, Climate change and Energy)
Languages
English
Lithuanian
Represented Country
Lithuania
Represented region
Lithuania
Member of the European Committee of the Regions since
26.01.2020
Contact
+370 5 2112883
valdas.benkunskas@vilnius.lt
Social media
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Contents
Bodies
Member
CORLEAP
Enlargement Day
Lithuanian delegation
WG Ukraine