About Us

COG is the one place in metropolitan Washington that regularly brings leaders together to develop solutions to the region's major challenges. COG prepares plans enabling the region to receive federal funding, provides members with research and data to inform decision-making, and offers a wide range of programs, including commuter services, cooperative purchasing, technical assistance and grants, and public outreach campaigns.

Transportation

Through the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB), area officials, planners, and engineers ensure a well-managed and maintained transportation system. The TPB, which is staffed by COG, conducts the federally mandated transportation planning process for the region and ensures the uninterrupted flow of federal transportation funds that area jurisdictions receive.

Environment

COG's work engages leaders in various environmental fields from water quality experts to climate scientists. Together, they are advancing regional efforts to restore local waterways, improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change, promote recycling, and enhance and preserve green space and agriculture.

Community

Area officials and experts, including planning and housing directors and child welfare and health officials, work together with their counterparts at COG to help shape stronger communities throughout the region.

Homeland Security & Public Safety

COG brings police chiefs, fire chiefs, emergency managers, and other leaders together as part of its work to strengthen regional public safety coordination, homeland security planning, and emergency communication.

Community

News

News Release

COG celebrates region's outstanding foster parents

May 16, 2024

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments announced its 2024 Foster Parents of the Year honorees today, recognizing foster parents from 10 local...
News Release

Annual count reveals rise in homelessness across Metropolitan Washington

May 15, 2024

A total of 9,774 people are experiencing homelessness in the region in 2024, according to a report by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG)...
News Highlight

COG celebrates Paul DesJardin's 40 year career

May 13, 2024

As he retires as Director of the Department of Community Planning and Services (DCPS) this month capping a 40-year career, COG is celebrating DesJardin and...
News Release

TPB awards $685,000 in technical assistance for 9 D.C. area planning projects

April 17, 2024

At its monthly meeting on April 17, members of the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board approved support for nine local planning projects as...
News Highlight

Podcast: Ensuring fair housing across communities

February 13, 2024

Season 3, Episode 3 of COG's podcast, Think Regionally.