Regionerna i Europa ?samverkan och påverkan i Europeiska Unionen

Abstract In this thesis I will discuss the relationship between the European Union and the regions of Europe. The development of the European Union has meant that many decisions are taken in Bruxelles. Many actors participate in the policyprocess ranging from national goverment to policynetworks of different kinds. An emerging actor has been the regions of Europe. Their influence on the policyprocess have grown and today almost all of them are represented in Bruxelles through Region Offices. Cohesion poliy and structural funds aiming to make the regions develop on the same level has been an important instrument for the regions. Lobbying has become a popoular method to make your opinions heard. Many organisations try to influence officials from the Commission, memebers of the European Parlament and other committes. I will also discuss the future of the regions in the context of the proposal for a new European Constitution. Keywords: The European Union, Regions, Policynetworks, Lobbying and cohesion polic