ABSTRACT
In Europe, there is a tendency towards an increase of powers and responsibilities of local actors, mainly of regional governments. This is due to a general increase of their competencies in many European countries but also to the policies of the EU concerning structural and cohesion funds, the common agricultural policies, and a number of measures whose funds are finally attributed and expended at local level. Also the creation of the Committee of the Regions which is an organ of the EU, representing regional and local governments in the legislative process, has contributed to that. The COR has to be consulted on all the measures concerning regional and local competencies. This chapter examines the regional competencies in the different Member States, in relation with the EU.
