Committee of the Regions 2024 Budget Review

What is a "Discharge"?

The European Parliament reviews how EU funds were spent in a given year. A "discharge" is the Parliament's formal approval that the money was spent correctly, legally, and efficiently. This summary covers the Parliament's 2024 discharge decision for the Committee of the Regions (CoR).

The Committee of the Regions (CoR)

• Role: The CoR represents local and regional authorities across the EU. It advises the EU on policies that affect cities, villages, and regions.
• Membership: It consists of 329 elected members from all 27 EU countries.
• Budget: In 2024, the CoR's budget was €123 million.

Spending Review for 2024

Overall, the CoR spent almost all of its allocated money, with an execution rate of 99.9%.

• Spending Status: The spending was generally high, showing good financial management.
• Errors Found: The Court of Auditors examined 70 transactions and found 16 with errors (23%). However, the overall error level was considered low.

Key Observations from the Parliament

The Parliament made several observations about the CoR's performance:

Strengths:

• Financial Management: High execution rates indicate good financial control.
• Digital Strategy: The CoR has a solid plan to become paper-less and cyber-secure.
• Staffing: Staff numbers are stable, and 89% are satisfied with hybrid work arrangements.
• Cooperation: Strong collaboration with other EU bodies helps save money.

Areas for Improvement:

• Funding: The CoR is considered under-funded for its role in testing new EU policies.
• Remote Work: The allowance for remote participation is noted as being high and not fully justified.
• Gender Balance: While women make up 57% of staff, they are underrepresented in senior roles.
• Anti-Fraud: The CoR currently lacks a formal anti-fraud strategy.
• Communication: The Parliament noted that the CoR needs to improve the use of its limited funds for events and online presence.

What the Parliament Expects Next

The Parliament requires the CoR to take several actions to improve its operations:

• Resources: Secure more funding, especially for innovation and testing policies.
• Rules: Improve rules for remote meetings, ensuring allowances match actual costs.
• Equality: Adopt a clear, time-bound plan with measurable goals to improve gender equality.
• Security: Continue upgrading digital and cyber-security systems, including using AI and data protection measures.
• Accountability: Enhance transparency by publishing clear information on conflicts of interest and financial management.
• Oversight: Keep the Parliament updated on progress regarding audits, anti-fraud plans, and internal controls.

Conclusion

The European Parliament grants discharge to the Committee of the Regions for 2024. This means the Parliament approved that the money was spent correctly and efficiently. This approval is accompanied by clear expectations for the CoR to improve resource allocation, tighten spending rules, strengthen anti-fraud measures, and enhance staff welfare and transparency.

Broader context

The discharge procedure is a key part of the EU’s financial accountability system. It ensures that EU institutions spend public money in line with the budget approved by the European Parliament and Council. The Committee of the Regions (CoR) is one of the EU’s advisory bodies, alongside the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). Both provide local and regional perspectives on EU laws, helping to shape policies that directly affect citizens, such as regional development, transport, climate action, and social cohesion.

The Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) is the EU’s long-term budget, setting spending priorities for 7 years. The CoR’s budget falls under Heading 7 (European public administration), which covers the costs of running EU institutions. The 2024 discharge is part of the annual review process, ensuring transparency and trust in how EU funds are used.

The CoR’s role as a "testing ground" for EU policies means it often pilots new ideas before they are rolled out across the EU. This helps identify potential issues and improves policy effectiveness.

Impact on people living in the EU

The CoR’s work directly influences local and regional policies across the EU. Here’s how the 2024 discharge and its recommendations may affect citizens: