THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS IN THE EUROPEAN DECISION-MAKING PROCESS. THE CASE OF PARTNERSHIPS FOR REGIONAL INNOVATION

The Committee of the Regions (CoR) is a key institution in the EU’s institutional framework. Its role in the European decision-making process is multifaceted. The Committee is consulted on a mandatory basis in certain policy areas (TFEU Art. 148, 165, 167, 172, 178). The three main European institutions – European Commission, European Parliament, Council of the European Union – may ask for the so-called “optional” or “facultative” opinions in all cases of interest to the Committee. Lastly, the CoR can issue opinions on its own initiative. However, existing literature is split on the actual extent of the influence exerted by this institution in the EU’s policymaking process. According to Hönnige and Panke (2013), the CoR does have an influence, but it is limited. Piattoni and Schönlau (2015), on the other hand, highlight the CoR’s role as an agenda-setter. Nicolosi and Mustert (2020) suggest that it should be more aware of its role of «guardian of subsidiarity», using all its power to make its voice heard. To contribute to the above literature and with the aim of understanding the agenda-setter role and real influence of the CoR in the EU’s policymaking process, the present thesis explores the CoR’s role in the Partnerships for Regional Innovation (PRI). The partnerships are a pilot project launched by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) and the Committee of the Regions. For this initiative, the CoR worked in close contact with the JRC during the conceptual development process. The research questions addressed are as follows: what has been the role of the CoR in the conceptual development process of the PRIs? How did the Committee of the Regions become involved in this work and to what effect? Does the CoR’s involvement in the development of the PRIs confirm this institution’s role as an agenda-setter?