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Dr. Hubert Koch, Dr. Koch Consulting e.K., Berlin/Brussels
Lobbying in Brussels. Why engage on the European level? The last decades have seen a constant rise in importance of the European Union. Nowadays there are hardly any associations whose interests are not affected by EU decisions.
Therefore countless associations as well as companies and NGOs – both European and national – act on the European level creating a fierce competition of interests. Associations not taking part in this competition risk that their interests are not considered by decision-makers.
National associations and the European level
Many national associations are members of a European umbrella organization in their respective field. Especially the Commission prefers working with associations representing members from all or at least a number of EU countries. Nevertheless national organizations that have to or want to act on their own can take part in EU processes.
The most common way is to establish and use contacts to European decision-makers from the same country. National governments and members of the European Parliament are naturally more open to interests from the country they represent. Also Commission officials are often easier to work with when sharing a common origin.
One should generally not underestimate the connections between the political levels. Both institutionally and informally national politics influence the European dimension. Associations especially benefit from good contacts to their national governments.
Institutions and processes
Most important for successful lobbying is the knowledge of the complex processes in the EU. Nowadays all three major institutions (European Parliament, European Commission and Council of the EU) are usually participating in the law-making process. Associations should always consider all three institutions in their lobbying. While formally the institutions act one after another in law-making, processes of cooperation and negotiation are going on all the time. The institutions at all times influence each other in their decisions and actions.
There is also the informal dimension of law-making processes: the way in which day-to-day work in Brussels is carried out. Not every course of action is written down in contracts, laws or rules of procedure. To know both the working and the people within the institutions opens up various new channels of information and influence.
Timing and monitoring
Lobbying generally works best when carried out as early as possible. The best chances to shape a provision is in the first stages of its creation. The planning and enacting of EU legislations are usually taking a lot of time. Directives and regulations typically result from long discussions and consultations (Communications, Green Papers, White Papers, …). Associations that are taking part in the discussions from an early stage significantly improve their chances to influence the outcome.
In order to sense developments early and to constantly follow the processes political monitoring is essential for associations. By systematically and professionally analyzing the political developments associations are able to adequately respond.
Personal Contacts
Politics is made by people. Communication with these people is needed to articulate positions or gather information. Therefore a broad network of personal contacts is essential for an association's political work. It takes time and effort to establish a solid network. Systematically addressing relevant decision-makers or attending events in the respective policy field are two ways to build and strengthen the network.
Act and talk European
In order to successfully act on the European level it is essential to know its political culture. There are wordings, mindsets and procedures special to this environment. Associations have to adapt to these conditions and consider them in all their actions. Especially the political argumentation has to consider the consensus of European policy goals. (For example the internal market, free movements of people and goods, climate protection, consumer protection.)
Dr. Koch Consulting e.K.: Dr. Hubert Koch is an experienced lobbyist in Brussels. Based on ten years of work as general executive manager of an industry association he offers a variety of services to associations. They can benefit from both his extensive network and his outstanding know-how in working with EU-Commission, Parliament and Council. Further contact: Tim Gottelt, info@koch-consulting.de, Tel. 0049-30-609883940.
www.koch-consulting.net