The Committee of the Regions A political assembly of the European Union, representing local and regional government.

Key dates  1992  1992 Maastricht Treaty creates the CoR  1994  1994 First plenary session held in Brussels  1995  1995 The number of CoR members increases from 189 to 222 as the EU-12 expands to EU-15  1997  1997 Treaty of Amsterdam strengthens the CoR by increasing its field of mandatory consultation and allows referrals from the European Parliament  2003  2003 Treaty of Nice states CoR members must hold an electoral mandate or be politically accountable  2004  2004 The number of CoR members increases from 222 to 317 in the EU-25  2004  2004 Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe boosts the institutional status and political role of the CoR  2007  2007 The number of of CoR members increases from 317 to 344 members in the EU-27  2007  2007 Lisbon Treaty enhances the status and political role of the CoR

344 members plus 344 alternates Germany, France, Italy, United Kingdom………….………….. Poland, Spain…...………………………………………………..... Romania...……………………………………………………… Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden…………………….. Denmark, Ireland, Finland, Slovakia, Lithuania…..…………. Estonia, Latvia, Slovenia……………………..…………………. Cyprus, Luxembourg…….………………….…………………… Malta………………………………………….…………...………... CoR members

 COTER - Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy  ECOS - Commission for Economic and Social Policy  DEVE - Commission for Sustainable Development  EDUC - Commission for Culture, Education and Research  CONST - Commission for Constitutional Affairs, European Governance and the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice  RELEX - Commission for External Relations and Decentralised Cooperation  CFAA – Commission for Financial and Administrative Affairs The Commissions

PROPOSAL CODECISION CONSULTATION The CoR and EU decision-making European CommissionEuropean ParliamentCouncil of the EU DECISION European Economic & Social Committee

4. OPEN DAYS European week of cities and regions  Co-organised annually in the second week of October by CoR and Commission Directorate General for Regional Policy.  Over 200 regions and cities represented, in addition to representatives from banking, business and civil society, some 5000 individual participants.  Around 130 seminars and networking events in Brussels, a further 230 in the regions and cities.  Investors' Café: special exhibition and networking opportunity for representatives from private sector and regions/cities. Networks and Activities of the CoR

The Committee of the Regions and ICT For the CoR, ICTs are:  A key factor for improving coordination and cooperation in various fields between local, regional, national and European authorities  Provide a major opportunity to improve public services  Influence the way in which local and regional authorities work and supply services

The Committee of the Regions Local and regional authorities have a crucial role to play in exploiting the potential of ICT for the following reasons: Broadband access eGovernment Web 2.0 Energy efficiency

Local and regional authorities can and do take leadership in using ICT for increasing energy efficiency Our Members and their cities are committed to the Covenant of Mayors and undertake to cut emissions by more than 20% by 2020 The Covenant of Mayors is an ambitious initiative that brings together the mayors of Europe's most pioneering cities in a permanent network to exchange and apply good practices across these cities and beyond to improve energy efficiency significantly in the urban environment. ICT and energy efficiency in the CoR's work

Regions play a leadership role in identifying local ICT opportunities for action sharing technological best practice identifying project partners allocating funding to invest in ICT tools, measuring progress and communicating success Cities should be free to set themselves ambitious targets, which are sustainable, exceeding those in national frameworks. However, short term budgetary pressures challenge regions and cities who take medium to long term investment and policy decisions to improve their own energy efficiency. ICT and energy efficiency in the CoR's work

The Committee of the Regions A Guide for Local and Regional Authorities on ICT for Energy Efficiency a practical guide for local and regional authorities on ICT for energy efficiency in response to a recommendation in the opinion "Addressing the Challenge of energy efficiency through Information and Communication Technologies” rapporteur: Risto Koivisto (FI/PES) will make a number of specific recommendations to help local and regional authorities across Europe become more energy efficient A call for tender is foreseen to be published in April 2009, and the final results would be delivered at the Open Days event of A questionnaire was drawn up for CoR members and experts to find out what exactly they would like to see in this guide.

Anna Kadar EDUC Commission Committee of the Regions Contact