The European Committee of the Regions is the EU’s assembly of local and regional representatives. It provides political input on European legislation from the perspective of cities and regions, helping to ensure that EU policies reflect the realities of implementation on the ground, where most decisions directly affect citizens’ daily lives.
Within this institutional framework, the Greens & Progressives group brings together local and regional elected representatives across the European Union who share a commitment to environmental responsibility, social justice, democratic participation, and European cooperation. It serves as a political home for mayors, regional presidents, councillors, and assembly members who work to advance these values from the ground up in their cities, regions, and communities.
Our group brings a clear and coherent progressive voice to the Committee of the Regions’ opinions and political work. We aim to shape EU policy from a local and regional perspective by promoting integrated solutions to the climate and biodiversity crisis, social inequality, and declining trust in democracy. As EU policies are largely implemented at regional and local level, the Greens & Progressives stress the need to equip cities and regions with the tools to deliver this transformation through smart investment, effective EU funding, and policies that link environmental ambition with social cohesion and equal opportunities.
History
The group was originally founded in 2020 as the Greens group in the CoR, when a number of committed members from Green parties and like-minded political traditions came together to establish a distinct political presence within the institution. In 2025, it evolved into the Greens & Progressives, reflecting a broader political reality within the group. While coming from different progressive traditions, members share a common commitment to ambitious environmental protection and climate action, and to fostering inclusive communities where rights are protected, diversity is respected, and everyone can fully participate in democratic life.
The leadership of the Group
The group is led by co-Presidents Niina Ratilainen and Tine Radinja, and together with the Vice-Presidents Eka von Kalben and Stephen de Ron, they constitute the bureau of the group.
Co-leadership is a hallmark of Greens & Progressives’ politics. It promotes gender-balanced leadership and also reflects values of shared responsibility, collaboration, and inclusive decision-making. Rather than concentrating authority in a single individual, co-leadership brings together complementary perspectives, encourages inclusive decision-making, and strengthens democratic accountability.
