Our group

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is a political assembly, which allows the views of regional and local authorities to be heard when European Union policies are being devised and legislation drafted. It is an advisory body that was created in 1994 after the entry into force of the Maastricht Treaty. Its consultative role allows its 329 members and alternates, and through them the regional and local authorities they represent, to take part in the EU decision-making process.

The Greens and Progressives in the CoR works for a socially, ecologically and economically sustainable future. We work for a clean environment and act against climate change through ambitious adherence to climate goals and an effective Green Deal. We promote democratic values, participation, transparency and European Integration. We think globally and act locally to make a fair Green change.

The Greens in the CoR was established in 2020, as twenty enthusiastic members from Green parties and beyond came together.

Bureau members

Profile picture of Niina RATILAINEN

Niina RATILAINEN

Member
FI

Vice President of Turku City Council, Member of Regional Council of Southwest Finland, Councillor of Southwest Wellbeing Services County

  • CIVEXCommission for Citizenship, Governance, Institutional and External Affairs
  • ENVECommission for the Environment, Climate change and Energy

Niina Ratilainen has been a councillor on the shore of the Baltic Sea, in the Turku City Council since 2012. Besides City Council, she is a board member of the leading energy company in Southwest Finland and a board member of the Green Party in Finland. She has a master’s degree in Baltic Sea Regions Studies and Sustainable Development. She works at the children’s rights organisation Plan International Finland as an advocacy specialist. Her political passions are combatting climate crises, climate justice, gender equality and human rights.

Profile picture of Tine RADINJA

Tine RADINJA

Member
SI

Mayor of Škofja Loka

  • NATCommission for Natural Resources
  • SEDECCommission for Social Policy, Education, Employment, Research and Culture

Before being elected Mayor, Tine Radinja worked for the World Bank on social development in the Middle East and North Africa, and for the League of Arab States on representative NGO platform. He served as Deputy Mayor responsible for HR and nominations, legislative and statutory issues, sports, culture, and social affairs. He was also the president of the European Youth Forum – the world’s biggest youth platform; and active in the Scouts movement. Now he is a proud father of two young scouts.

Profile picture of Erika VON KALBEN

Erika VON KALBEN

Member
DE

Member of the State Parliament of Schleswig-Holstein

  • NATCommission for Natural Resources
  • ENVECommission for the Environment, Climate change and Energy

Eka von Kalben is Vice-President of the Schleswig-Holstein State Parliament since 2022. Before that, Eka was the leader of the Greens’ group in the Parliament for ten years. She is committed to nature and climate preservation, social justice and equality.

Profile picture of Stephen de RON

Stephen de RON

Alternate
LU

Member of Hesperange Municipal Council

Stephen De Ron is a lawyer and law teacher, passionate about the intersection of legal knowledge and education. He is part of the Green Executive Committee of the Greens Luxembourg, where he advocates for a greener future.