European Committee of the Regions
The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) and FRA have established cooperation across several fundamental rights topics such as the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, the rights of the child, the fight against hate crime and discrimination, the integration of migrants, access to justice or the rule of law. The cooperation helps to support the exchange of local promising practices in fundamental rights.
FRA – CIVEX Annual dialogue
Since 2009, FRA jointly organises the Annual Dialogue with the CIVEX Commission. It is an opportunity to discuss policy actions at the European and local levels and their multi-level coordination. The list of annual dialogues is available below.
Cooperation activities
FRA and CoR have developed several cooperation initiatives and joint activities.
- FRA contributes its fundamental rights expertise to the development of EU policies and legislations and provides input to draft CoR Opinions on request.
- FRA and CIVEX co-hosted a workshop at the European Week of Regions and Cities ‘Towards long-term solutions for displaced people from Ukraine at the European Week of Regions and Cities’ (2023).
- FRA and CoR co-organised an online seminar for CoR staff on ‘the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and its relevance for EU, national and local governance’ (2022).
- FRA Director spoke on fundamental rights and EU values at the 134th CoR Plenary Session (2019).
- CoR Members spoke at FRA Fundamental Rights Forum events (2018, 2021)
- CoR took part in FRA’s advisory group on its joined-up governance project (2011-2014) and contributed with methods and experience on the way the local and regional levels can effectively contribute to the fundamental rights governance. The key findings of this FRA project are captured in the booklet “Making rights real: A guide for local and regional authorities” jointly produced by FRA and CoR. The booklet is available online in English, French, German and Swedish (2014).
Overview of FRA-CIVEX Annual Dialogue events:
- 16th Annual Dialogue (20 November 2025) ‘The role of local and regional authorities in strengthening democracy and fundamental rights in the EU’ – Background document.
- 15th Annual Dialogue (26 November 2024) ‘Fundamental rights in cities and regions: integrating fundamental rights into local decisions, policies and service-delivery’ – Background document.
- 14th Annual Dialogue (17 November 2022) ‘Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: fundamental rights implications within the EU’.
- 13th Annual dialogue (16 November 2021) 'Human Rights Cities in the EU: a framework for reinforcing rights locally'.
- 12th Annual dialogue (4 December 2020) 'Integration of young migrants - preventing a "lost generation" by fostering local solutions' – FRA background document
- 11th Annual dialogue (9 December 2019) ‘Putting the Fundamental Rights Charter into practice: the local and regional perspective’ – FRA background document
- 1st - 10th Annual dialogues (2009-2018)
- ‘Experiences of migrants in the EU and the impact on the local communities’ (2018).
- ‘Inclusion and participation of migrants and their descendants in society (2017).
- ‘How can local authorities contribute in fighting discrimination and intolerance that affect the right to education of refugee's children’ (2016).
- 'Seeking ways to improve child protection systems with local authorities' (2015).
- 'The role of local and regional authorities in protecting the rule of law' (2014).
- ‘Working together on fundamental rights: multi-level approaches to combating hate crime in the EU’ (2013).
- 'The economic crisis – Obstacle or incubator for innovation in access to justice?' (2012).
- 'Implementing fundamental rights of irregular migrants - towards multi-level governance' (2011).
- 'Implementing Fundamental Rights at the local and regional level following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty' (2010).
- 'Rights of the Child: from Paper into Practice’ (2009).