The Committee includes 344 members which are elected among representatives of all EU’s countries, proportionally to the size of population. In many cases, they are mayors of cities or regional governments’ leaders who receive a mandate from the local authorities and are responsible to them. The Committee of the Regions is headed by a President, elected for two years from the group of Committee’s members.

The main capacity of the Committee is to influence decisions of EU according to the regional interests and policy. EU legislative organs are obliged to consult the CoR about any problems connected directly with local topics; however, they can take advice of the Committee in any other questions, too. The Committee of the Regions can also present its opinions if they wish to the EU institutions.

The Committee organises five sessions annually to define its policy’s priorities. Six special commissions deal with various aspects of the local policy.