Advocacy in the EU How Environment NGOs Work

learning and development - consultancy - research EIPA 2010©

Advocacy in the EUHow Environment NGOs Work

Dr Alan HardacreBelgrade, 2 November 2010

EIPA 2010 - www.eipa.eu

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Structure

1. Advocacy in Brussels – How it Works2. Specifics of advocacy for NGOs in Brussels


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Lobbying – A Growth Industry

Rond Point Schuman centre of Brussels Lobbying Interest

If you can think of an interest, an issue, an industry then you willfind a representative promoting it in Brussels...

http://www.edefa.org/index.htm


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Why Lobby in Brussels?

Increasing % legislation from Brussels (70%+) there is virtually no policy area which is not directly orindirectly affected by decisions taken collectively in Brussels Costs and benefits of regulation fall upon virtually every sector

and issue, as EU competencies expand Something for all in consensus-oriented system In response to actions by other interests European Commission, Parliament and Council depend on

lobbying easy access

Successful lobbying to modify EU legislation is a competitive environment


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Business associations 6.000

NGOs 4.000

Companies 2.000

Lawfirms 2.500

Consultancy firms 1.500

Regional bodies 3.000

Press 1.000

20.000 stakeholders involved in the EU decision-making

process

Fragmented

Reactive No dialogue

Poor Communication

Who lobbies in Brussels


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Huge power Technicians European Proactive45.000 officials

20.000 stakeholders

Fragmented Reactive No dialogue No communication

Officials and stakeholders do not speak the same language

Brussels Lobbying Environment

EIPA 2010 - WWW.EIPA.EU

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What is Advocacy?

Obtain a gain or avoid a loss

WHO?

WHY?

Advocacy is a communication technique...

...that aims to influence

Initiator Recipient

Public Authorities/Regulators

HOW? Advocacy Tools

Message


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Prepare your case

Map out the battleground

Defend your positions

Influence

Intelligencein lobbying

Prepare your case- Get informed- Promote an editorial policy- Defend your interests- Set up a project team- Prepare your arguments

Battleground- Mapping - Main divisions- Priority targets - Tactics

Defend your positions- Interests, positions- Factors of influence- Lobbying vehicles

Methodology


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Lobbying as a Process – Step 1


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Inside or Outside Lobbying

Face to Face Meetings E-Mailing, Letters, Position

Papers Drafting Amendments Consultations Open Hearings Events Site Visits Networking

Press Release Press Conference Issue Adverts Letter Campaigns Grassroots mobilisation Demonstrations


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Monitoring & Political Intelligence Development of argumentation: position papers, briefs Stakeholder Analysis: perception audits Meetings programme - identification of allies & foes Regulatory audits Third Party Advocates Building coalitions (ad-hoc/single issue/formal) PR 4 PA - using the media to get your message

across/advertorials Platforms - seminars/conferences Proposing legislative amendments etc.

The Actions


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The Tools and Instruments

Stakeholder analysis

Issue management system

Position Papers and Executive Summaries

Letters

Amendments

Seminars

One-to-one meetings

Press releases / responses

Websites


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Early involvement: 80% of a Commission proposal remains in the final act.

Offer technical advice and expertise. You may know more about an issue than the official in charge - your advice could be invaluable.

But remember to carry out a twofold communication, covering the Political (Commissioners’ Cabinets) as well as the Technical.

Influence through other means - alliances with other companies, trade associations, NGOs, press, etc.

The Commission prefers European issues – make your issue European and offer solutions

Maintain contacts with Commission throughout decision-making process in other Institutions, given the Commission’s role as “technical advisor” and facilitator during the discussions between the EP and Council.

The Commission is pivotal in implementation – they oversee everything

Lobbying the Commission


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Working Group level: identify and build a relationship with relevant attachés involved in key dossiers at the Brussels-level. Can provide a good source of information on timetables and the progress of legislative proposals.

COREPER level: the work of the Council is prepared or co-ordinated by the Committee of Permanent Representatives, made up of Permanent Representatives of the MSs and their Deputies. Maintain contacts to keep them aware of important dossiers or critical issues.

The Presidency - build important contacts with the relevant Presidency staff – know the agenda

Manage co-ordinated action at the national level, targeting experts in the Ministries in tandem with an EU-level campaign

Understand the national political agenda and political colour of the MS delegation - what are the pressing issues at the national level that could influence a MS’ position at the EU-level?

Similarly, coalitions between MSs united on a given issue should be identified

Lobbying the Council


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Lobbying the Parliament

Targeting key MEPs: typically 10 to 30 MEPs lead the amendment of proposals. Likely to be more than 1 Committee, i.e. lead Committee + opinion-giving Committee (s)

Provide positive political/emotional arguments, support with facts Capacity for timely and quick input Understand regional and political agendas beyond parties Providing relevant, credible and concise information MEPs are accessible MEPs are receptive to good lobbying Natural allies will be the Green Group and the Environment

Committee – establish contact as soon as possible


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• Prioritise where to lobby – can not lobby everything/one

• Keeping abreast of political environment (competitors)

• Getting quality input tailor-made for audience

• Ensuring responses to consultations, representation at hearings

• Following up consultations with high-level meetings

• Adapting messages to audiences in most suitable manner

• Managing to create and coordinate networks of contacts

Challenges of Lobbying the Institutions


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NGOs and Lobbying in Brussels

• Non profit organizations• Public interest• Aims• Counter power to Business• Same lobbying methods + a few more• Not the same resources…

• Working with NGOs is important: they are the voice of civil society• NGOs have field information and impact assessment capacities• They have access to national and/or European level• Parliaments are natural allies of NGOs• NGOs are legitimate actors and have a lot to offer

Who is your European Association?

How can you interact with them?


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Specific Issues for NGOs

• Having an integrated approach and a good lobbying strategy• Providing technical, emotional and political arguments• Speaking with one voice and have ‘multipliers’• Fostering alliances with other sectors and parts of the world• Gaining the sympathy of stakeholders and their electors • Mobilizing media and public opinion• Using social media and the press

• Stakeholders analysis• Identification of opponents• Assessing other lobby campaigns• Reaching a strong consensus amongst heterogeneous NGOs• Providing case studies and analysis for all policies • Reaching non-environment stakeholders• Securing enough funding for advocacy / political work

Advocacy in the EU How Environment NGOs Work

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