The European Committee of the Regions is created by the Treaty of Maastricht to further strengthen European democracy. Its first plenary takes place on 9-10 March 1994.

As cohesion policy begins to take shape, Europe's regions play an increasingly important role in partnership with national and European authorities.

European leaders meet in Amsterdam to sign a new treaty improving EU decision-making and extending the Committee's consultative role to two-thirds of European legislation.

The Committee was the first institution to call for specific measures for outermost and peripheral regions highlighting their challenges, which led to the creation of a specific EU policy.

For the first time, the vital role played by rural regions in the EU's economic and social development is recognised, adding a pillar for rural development in the Common Agricultural Policy.

The CoR consolidates it position as the voice for regions and cities in Europe through its formal participation in the Convention on the Future of Europe. The Convention recognised the CoR's role in monitoring and implementing the principle of subsidiarity.

Ten new Member States, and their regions and cities, join the EU, expanding the bloc to the East.

Calls for clear rules to help border regions work more effectively led to the creation of European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation. The Committee is the official registry for EGTCs, which continue to grow in number.

The first major EU treaty post-enlargement that brings many significant changes for the CoR, including recognising the importance of territorial cohesion in all EU policies and of its role in the legislative process as guardians of subsidiarity.

The Committee is one of the first signatories of the Covenant of Mayors. A year later, it joins the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, calling for the recognition of local leadership in accelerating climate action.

Two new networks are launched to help build cooperation with regions and cities in countries in the Eastern (CORLEAP) and Southern (ARLEM) neighbourhoods.

Conflicts in the Middle East and Africa spark a wave of refugees arriving in Europe, where regions and cities are the first to provide support for more than one million people looking for safety.

The European Pillar of Social Rights sets out the principles of a fair and inclusive society. Regions and cities are on the front line in dealing with social inequality, and bridging the social divide.

The European Committee of the Regions creates the Cohesion Alliance, bringing together communities and associations from across Europe to resist proposed cuts to cohesion funding.

Local and regional authorities need to be involved more closely in EU policy making. The launch of the Regional Hubs initiative is the latest step towards making this a reality.

At its Summit in Bucharest, the Committee launches the Young Elected Politicians programme to encourage young local and regional representatives to take part in its activities and learn from each other.

Shortly after Paweł Adamowicz, the mayor of Gdansk and European Committee of the Regions member, is murdered for defending the values of solidarity and freedom, the CoR and partner associations launch an award in his honour.

Four years after the Brexit vote, the UK leaves the EU. Due to the continual impact on regions and cities across the EU, the CoR remains in close contact through its UK Contact Group.

The COVID pandemic puts local services such as schools and hospitals under massive pressure. Local authorities are on the frontline in managing lockdowns and keeping citizens safe.

Members of the European Committee of the Regions play a key role in the Conference on the Future of Europe, making proposals for strengthening the role of regions and cities in the EU.

Regions and cities across Europe stand with Ukraine since the first day of the full-scale invasion, by providing humanitarian assistance and support and welcoming displaced people.

The hottest year on record shows once more that the climate crisis is a global problem that requires local solutions. Local and regional authorities show their relentless efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change and build resilience.

As regions and cities' role in the European Union grows stronger, the European Committee of the Regions marks its 30th anniversary.