POLITICAL ADVOCACY: WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT?

Political advocacy is the range of tools that enable a company,  a trade association or a non-profit organisation to participate in the policy making of the EU institutions.

Political advocacy is about:

• Thinking politically.
• Communicating with clear and short messages.
• Taking part in debates and platforms.
• Being knowledgeable about positions.
• Contacting in due course key officials and MEPs.
• Playing with national positions.
• Positioning client as a constructive and transparent partner in the EU institutions.
• Presenting facts, reasoning, participating in the policy making rather than exerting pressure.
• Supporting one of the policy options on the table.
• Favouring compromise.
• Parliamentary Relations.

There are 4 key activities:

1. Monitoring Role

• Monitoring EU regulatory initiatives and identifying emerging issues relevant for the client;
• Providing through analysis of EU developments timely and succinct analyses of information, developing political strategies and advice.

2. Advocacy Role

• Playing a key role in supporting engagement in policy and initiatives;
• Effective participation in the dialogue on public policy and regulatory development.

3. Policy Advice and Position Development

• Identifying  gaps and recommending improvement opportunities in existing policies and conducting in-depth analysis and research to inform the development of entire policies;
• Identifying potential implications and risks associated with new policy changes and providing recommendations;
• Coordinating with stakeholders in the development or review of policies;
• Providing policy advice and making decisions based on comprehensive research and intelligence relating to initiatives, and addressing long-term stakeholder needs and concerns;
• Supporting the implementation of policy decisions by recommending appropriate mechanisms and involving stakeholders to ensure buy-in and the achievement of the desired outcomes;
• Analysing complex and diverse public policy issues and providing briefing impact on strategic implications arising from regulatory and public policy changes (research, reports etc.);
• Facilitating the development of positions through the effective deployment of the public policy and advocacy perspective and presenting them to the relevant EU authorities and other shareholders;
• Responding to external inquiries on policy issues including briefing policymakers, stakeholders and the media.

4. Relationship Development and Management

• To  support the ongoing process of building and maintaining an effective network of contacts at appropriate levels and with relevant institutions (European Commission, European Parliament and member states, industry associations, other stakeholders and/or consultancies active at EU level.