Welcome to the

Committee of the Regions

European UnionCommittee of the Regions

Integration of third-country migrants – the Committee of the RegionsPromoting the multilevel policy dialogue

Workshop on Implementing Multilevel Governance in Practice in Integrating Cities VI Conference – European Cities shaping the future of integration

Tampere (FI) – 9 & 10 September 2013

OUTLINE

1. The CoR as a key promoter of multilevel governance in the EU

2. The CoR commitment to the “Strategic partnership” on integration

3. Towards a network of Local and Regional Authorities on Integration

The CoR promoting the multilevel policy dialogue on integration

1. COR – KEY PROMOTER OF MULTILEVEL GOVERNANCE

• Consultative body opinions

• Political Assembly of local and regional representatives

• Advocacy role LRAs’ voice to the EU

• Decentralised communication

• Safeguarding subsidiarity

The CoR in the EU institutional set-up

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European Commission European Parliament Council of the EU

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European Economic &Social Committee

1. COR - PROMOTER OF MULTILEVEL GOVERNANCE

The CoR in the EU institutional set-up

• Definition:

“coordinated action by the European Union, the Member States and local and regional authorities, based on partnership and aimed at drawing up and implementing union policies“

(White Paper 2009, Follow-up opinion 2012)

• Implementation:

Building a European culture of Multilevel governance

scoreboard, Charter

1. COR - PROMOTER OF MULTILEVEL GOVERNANCE

The CoR = key promoter of MLG in the EU

July 2011: new European Agenda for integrationEC offers Strategic partnership with CoR and LRA networks

February 2012: unanimous adoption of CoR opinionCoR welcomes Strategic partnership

& proposes network of LRA for integration

September 2012: CoR Bureau Roadmap towards implementation of the

Strategic Partnership; EC confirms financial support

2.COMMITMENT TO THE “STRATEGIC PARTNERHIP” ON INTEGRATION

Political Commitment2006-2010: CoR opinions on integration-related topicsCoR advocating for LRA involvement in design of integration

policies at EU level

2011: CoR consultation on new European Agenda for integration

2012: CoR study on Practices of Integration of Third-Country Nationals at Local and Regional Level in the EU

June 2013: •Launch of Data base of Local and Regional Authority practices on the European Web Site on integration

(partnership EC-CoR)•Structured participation of Local and Regional authority practitioners in European Integration Forum

(partnership EC-EESC-CoR)

2.COMMITMENT TO THE “STRATEGIC PARTNERHIP” ON INTEGRATION

Concrete steps so far

26-27 November 2013: further coordination of LRA participation in European Integration Forum

On-going: •Setting up of the network – in coordination with existing associations/networks, along roadmap adopted by CoR Bureau in 2012•Further develop Data base of Local and Regional Authority practices on the European Web Site on integration •Ad hoc work in conjunction with CoR consultative work or priorities in the work programme of the European Commission

Next steps

3. TOWARDS A NETWORK OF LRA ON INTEGRATION

Objectives of the network

• Learning & capacity buildingEncourage exchange and evaluation of best practices

• ForumFacilitate multilevel policy dialogue

• AdvocacyProvide a channel between policy makers at local and regional level and the EU and national level,Incl. through CoR consultative work (opinions)

3. TOWARDS A NETWORK OF LRA ON INTEGRATION

European Website on

Integration

Network of LRA for Integration

CoR / LRA Networks

National Contact Points on

Integration

Member States (central level)

European Integration Fund

EC

European Integration Forum

EESC/ Civil Society

The network in the multilevel policy dialogue

The CoR making the missing link

3. TOWARDS A NETWORK OF LRA ON INTEGRATION

3. TOWARDS A NETWORK OF LRA ON INTEGRATION

The network would improve the current state of play by:

• Coordinating existing activities

• Making better use of collected best practices through evaluation;

• Identifying new projects and involve new cities and regions;

• Providing a platform where EU funded projects could be assessed

•Facilitating the development of innovative governance instruments (e.g. territorial pacts, European Integration Modules)

• Responding to calls from other institutions and civil society organisations for involvement of LRAs in integration policies

• Strengthening the channel between the local/regional and European levels and links with policy-makers at national level

CONCLUSIONS

• CoR political commitment now supported by adequate administrative resources

towards strengthened coordination

• Build on existing networks and experience

• Database of LRA integration practices on EWSI

useful tool amongst LRA and for multilevel policy dialogue http://ec.europa.eu/ewsi/en/lra.cfm

share your good practices!

QUESTIONSQUESTIONS

Contact:celine.chateau@cor.europa.eu

Integration@cor.europa.eu