Lobbyist module of the EU Executive program

Guest from the College of Europe, Tony Bass, held a lecture on lobbying in the EU

At the fifth module of the EU Executive Program, Negotiation and Lobbying in the European Union, professor Tony Bass, national expert at the European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA) in Maastricht as well as the guest lecturer at the College of Europe in Bruges, held the lectures.

In the first part professor Bass explained the difference between good and bad lobbyists and their characteristics. He emphasized that the substance of lobbying lies in building firm and useful connections and that lobbying credibility builds through networking and transmitting authentic information.

He also introduced the model of how the EU institutions function and the ways of decision-making. Lobbyists have to be well informed about both the structures and responsible individuals when they advocate for a specific issue of interest. Of the same importance is to know the procedures of decision-making in certain sectors and institutions – to whom the ideas are recommended, how to ensure that they reach the representatives at the European Parliament and how much time is spent at a certain phase.

Professor Bass described the ways in which lobbyists gather information and stressed out the growing significance of social networks. Besides, on the basis of his own experience gathered at the European institutions, he outlaid to the participants some useful tips for lobbying at the European Parliament, European Commission and the Council of the European Union.