The European Union is a supranational organization that allows its members to pool their sovereignty in order to gain more global influence. Within the European Union, there are several different institutions that help the EU with its functions. What this means is that EU member states delegate some of their decision-making powers to these EU institutions, so that important decisions affecting all EU citizens can be made at the European level.
Try to determine the role of each institution and fill in the chart below:
- Who are the members of each institution?
- Where is each institution’s headquarters?
- What does each institution do?
- How is each institution organized?
Click on the name of the institution to find the information you need for this activity. Use the Back button on your browser if you get lost!
| Institution | Who? | Where? | What? | Organization |
| European Parliament | FR | ||||
| Council of the European Union | FR | ||||
| European Commission | FR | ||||
| European Court of Justice / FR | ||||
| European Court of Auditors / FR |
Still confused? Too much information? Check out the EU’s website on EU Institutions and Other Bodies | FR for a more succinct description of what these various institutions do.
While you were doing the research for this activity, you probably noticed that there are other bodies involved in the functioning of the European Union. Here is a brief description of some of the other bodies:
The European Ombudsman is the intermediary between the EU citizen and the EU authorities. His or her job is to receive and investigate complaints filed by EU citizens and residents, as well as by businesses or institutions. The Ombudsman is elected by the European Parliament for five years.
The European Central Bank (ECB) was created in 1998 to manage the new euro currency that entered circulation 1 January 2002. It is also responsible for directing the EU’s economic and monetary policy. The ECB works independently from all other institutions, and is not permitted to receive directions from any other body.
The Committee of the Regions is an advisory body created in 1994. Its function is to ensure that local and regional authorities are represented in European policymaking, and that the concerns of the local and regional authorities are respected at the EU level.
Discussion
- In your opinion, how are institutions helpful to the EU?
- In your opinion, which institution is the most “powerful”, and why?
Find out more about The Presidency of the Council of the European Union
The Presidency of the Council of the European Union rotates between each member of the European Union and is held by that country for a period of six months. This allows each member-state a chance to contribute to the EU’s development by pursuing priorities as it sees fit.
Currently, the EU’s rotating presidency is held by Austria. Since the Lisbon Treaty entered into force on December 1, 2009, European Council meetings (of the heads of state and governments of the 28 Member States) are now chaired by the President of the European Council, currently Donald Tusk from Poland. At the same time, the Council of Ministers meetings (in ten different areas including the General Affairs, Environment, and Transport councils, among others) are chaired by Austria’s corresponding ministers.
Austria took over the EU presidency from Bulgaria on July 1, 2018 and will be handing it over to Romania on January 1, 2019. Finland will then take the Presidency on July 1, 2019. For a list of the future Council presidents, click HERE.
Check out the Council Presidency website for information on its agenda.
Sources/Links
The EU’s Institutions and Other Bodies | FR
European Union Institutions: Useful Links
The European Union at a Glance | FR
DID YOU KNOW…
That the Structural Funds, intended to promote economic growth in less well-off regions, account for a third of the EU’s budget?