This document provides guidance on lobbying the EU institutions. It begins by distinguishing between advocacy and lobbying, noting that both tools can be useful. It emphasizes building credibility by relying on strengths like expertise, relationships, and understanding different audiences. The key institutions to lobby are the European Parliament, European Commission, and national governments within the Council. Timing, public consultations, and connecting with relevant contacts are important. The overall message is that lobbying requires clarity of objectives and knowledge of the legislative process in order to have impact.

1. Lobbying the EU Institutions : a
practical guide

2. About me
● Working for OpenForum Europe ; speaking in
my own name today
● Active in the PP-BE from 2012 to early 2013 –
now mostly in the PP-FR
● Not an expert ! But I can share my own
experience

3. Advocacy vs lobbying
● The tools are the same
● Both are useful !

4. Politicians aren't (usually) evil,
they're just clueless...
… and that's OK !
Copyright : Zack Weiner

5. A fundamental imbalance

6. But there is hope

7. It's all about credibility
● Rely on your strengths !
– Speaking for the good guys
– Size matters
– Have any expertise ? It's all relative btw
● If you're in for the long haul, build relationships

8. Selling your message – general tips
● There's no shame !
● Communication 101 applies
● Understand before criticising
● Adapt to your audience, give them what they
want
● Social media
● Build creative alliances

9. Getting started
● 1st be clear on your own objectives
● Broadly understand the EU legislative process
and the role of the different actors
● Timing is essential
● Learn more about the item you're working on
http://parltrack.euwiki.org/

10. Connect & keep in touch

11. Who do I talk to ?

12. The European Parliament
● One of the most transparent institutions in the
world
● Most of the work is done in the committees
● The Greens and the Liberals tend to be more
sympathetic to Pirates' ideas, but their
influence is limited
● Contact MEPs – it's their job to listen to you !

13. The European Commission
● Less politics, more expertise
● Follow the agenda - e.g. In DG Connect
http://ec.europa.eu/digital-
agenda/en/scoreboard
● Public Consultations are key

14. The Council
● Short answer : forget it
● Long answer : influence at the national level

15. Forgetting anyone ?
● Don't bother with the EESC and the CoR
● Lobby the lobbyists
● The press is your ally

16. Current and upcoming debates
● Data protection
● Net neutrality
● Copyright
● Mass surveillance
● TTIP
● And more...

17. Don't forget to have fun doing it

18. Questions ?
● Find me on Twitter @MaelB