As a consultative body to the European institutions, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) represents the European Union's local and regional authorities (LRAs) in the EU decision-making process by issuing opinions and resolutions. Its opinions shape EU legislation over time, with impact assessed through the CoR Annual Impact Report, European Commission follow-up reports on specific opinions and media monitoring.
The Annual Impact Report highlights the CoR’s role in shaping preparatory and final EU legal texts, enhancing local and regional authorities’ visibility in the EU’s agenda-setting, and influencing EU’s working methods, notably through alliance building and interinstitutional cooperation. It emphasises the CoR’s contribution to legislation that improves citizens’ daily lives and promotes democracy.
The CoR’s proactive engagement, including own-initiative opinions and strategic communication, ensures that territorial perspectives are embedded in EU decisions, reinforcing its role as a guardian of subsidiarity and a key actor in multilevel governance.