At a regional policy debate on 8 October, journalist Sabine Berger commented that ‘regional representations and MEPs can help.’ Over 250 regional representations in Brussels voice the interests of their respective areas. These are an undervalued but potentially very useful way of improving communication between Europe’s grassroots and the higher authorities in Brussels; they provide an important link between institutions and the regions. But because they lack the political clout of many professional lobbying bodies, their activities often pass unnoticed.

Often funded by county councils from different member states, regional representations promote local business, social, environmental, educational, research and NGO needs, but also pass EU policy information back to the region. The ideal channel through which the Brussels big-wigs could reach the local-yokels ! Maybe we will see a rise in status for the Brussels regional office yet…