Advocacy in the EU How Environment NGOs Work

1. Advocacy in the EUHow Environment NGOs Work Dr Alan HardacreBelgrade, 2 November 2010

3. Structure • Advocacy in Brussels – How it Works • Specifics of advocacy for NGOs in Brussels

4. 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...

5. Why Lobby in Brussels? • Increasing % legislation from Brussels (70%+)  there is virtually no policy area which is not directly or indirectly 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

6. 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

7. Huge power Technicians European Proactive 45.000 officials Fragmented Reactive No dialogue No communication 20.000 stakeholders Officials and stakeholders do not speak the same language Brussels Lobbying Environment

8. What is Advocacy? Advocacy is a communication technique... Message Recipient Initiator ...that aims to influence HOW? Advocacy Tools WHO? Public Authorities/Regulators WHY? Obtain a gain or avoid a loss

9. Methodology Prepare your case 1 Intelligence in 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 Map out the battleground 2 3 Defend your positions Influence

10. Lobbying as a Process – Step 1

11. Lobbying as a Process – Step 2

12. 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

13. Lobbying as a Process – Step 3

14. The Actions • Monitoring & Political Intelligence • Development of argumentation: position papers, briefs • Stakeholder Analysis: perception audits • Meetingsprogramme - identification of allies & foes • Regulatory audits • Third Party Advocates • Building coalitions (ad-hoc/single issue/formal) • PR 4 PA - using the media to get yourmessage across/advertorials • Platforms - seminars/conferences • Proposing legislative amendments etc.

15. 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

16. Lobbying the Commission • 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

17. Lobbying the Council • 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

18. 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

19. Challenges of Lobbying the Institutions • 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

20. Brussels Good Practice

21. 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… Who is your European Association? How can you interact with them? • 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

22. 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

23. ? Do You Have Any Questions? ? ? Many thanks for your attention. a.hardacre@eipa.eu