FOREIGN GOVERNMENT ADVOCACY REPRESENTATION IN BRUSSELS

It is a common practice for foreign governments to hire Brussels-based firms that specialize in strategic communications and policy to promote their interests in EU circles, away from the official diplomatic relationship run through their embassy.

In order for foreign countries, NGOs and corporations to have their issues heard and addressed by EU officials in a timely manner, they need to have an ally who can give them the knowledge, skills and support to take their advocacy to the next level.

There are a wide range of issues in which foreign entities find value on communicating with EU decision makers on.

 Range of Activities

• Advising country and companies how Brussels works;
• Recommending and managing a strategic plan for the Embassy (Developing a good strategy is the first and most important step in Brussels. It must be tested and demonstrated over time to make sure the right messages have been developed);
• Changing the EU attitude towards the country;
• Reputation management;
• Organizing seminars, symposiums, media events, publications and social media campaigns;
• Educating target audiences about the country's current affairs, culture, economic development and tourism;
• Communications
• Seminars, symposiums, media interviews, media events,  publications and social media campaigns;
• Educating target audiences about the country about the country’s current affairs, culture, economic development and tourism;
• Communications counsel including crafting and editing press releases, conducting media training sessions, crafting talking points, providing daily news reports to capture relevant print, internet and broadcast coverage of the country at EU level;
• Counsel to Embassy for strengthening the Embassy's ties to the Eu Institutions, which involves contact with officials of the European Commission (including civil servants at the Chief of Unit level), Council, and Members and staff of the European Parliament where the country has a direct interest or need for advocacy and consulting assistance e.g. bilateral dialogue, trade, economic development;
• Communications counselling including crafting and editing press releases, conducting media training sessions, crafting talking points, providing daily news monitoring reports to capture relevant print, internet and broadcast coverage of the country at EU level;
• Strategic advice on how to advance the country's policy agenda and developing full advocacy campaign
• Drafting of issue specific white papers;

• Organizing meetings directly with EU officials and staff, preparing written testimony for hearings, writing persuasive comments for proposed regulations, and attending hearings in the European Parliament;

   

  In order to win in Brussels, you need  someone with experience, knowledge and relationships, someone that can open doors that would otherwise remain shut. Also, an experienced professional can steer your advocacy campaign in the right direction and make suggestions that can help you succeed.