This document provides tips for developing an effective lobbying campaign in the European Union. It recommends identifying clear campaign targets and developing targeted messages, arguments, and an engagement strategy. It stresses the importance of proper introductions, keeping contact information updated, maintaining regular contact even without active issues, and following through on commitments. The tips suggest understanding legislative timelines, submitting amendments and proposals well in advance of votes, and engaging with both the European Commission and national politicians who can influence the process. Transparency in lobbying efforts is also emphasized.

1. How to get a black belt in
European Public Affairs

2. What is your campaign target?
• What do you want to achieve with your
lobby campaign?
• Identifying your campaign target supports
strategy development
• Prepare your strategy by identifying:
• Messages
• Arguments
• Timing
• Whom to contact when

3. Get your basics right

Put yourself in the recipient‘s shoes
− Ask yourself how you’d like to be contacted and
many mistakes will be avoided

Spell out your acronyms
− Unless you work for a well-known organisation like
IBM; don't assume it's heard of

Introduce yourself and your
organisation both in written and oral
contacts

Update address and phone registers
yearly

4. Keep in touch even if there isn’t an
issue

”Just keeping in touch” is a good
idea

Always something you can speak
about and you'll be remembered
easier

If you have information you feel
could benefit an MEP in their work
– pass it on even if you don't have
an issue at hand

5. Do what you say you’ll do

If you want to book a meeting –
then book a meeting. Mailing
someone telling them you will book
a meeting with them and not doing
so is unprofessional.

6. Plan ahead and check the
calendar

Avoid getting caught unaware by
subscribing to regular updates from
the European Commission and
European Parliament

European Parliament meeting calendar

European commission

7. How to get your email read

Get your email read by:
− Calling ahead
− Develop a good subject line
− Follow up via a phone call

8. How to get your legislative proposal
considered

Get your legislative proposal
considered:
− Send it to the MEP before a
meeting
− Bring it with you to the meeting
in print version
− Follow-up

9. Send your amendments and
proposals before the vote!

If you are uncertain when a vote
takes place, ask the MEP’s office

Call the committee administrator
responsible

Each EP committee sends out
detailed planning – subscribe to
their news

10. Remember the “home boys”!

EU legislation affect 27 countries

National parliaments are as important
as the European Parliament. If an MEP
wants to be re-elected, s/he is re-
elected on national level

National specialists are very
knowledgeable on their subjects and
important to involve in your lobbying

National parliamentarians can also
influence the MEP

11. Meet with the European
Commission

The European Commission drafts all
legislation and your points will be
heard at an earlier stage in the
process

The Commission is often a year
ahead of the Parliament

12. Meet with subject matter
specialists

Every party and committee has
subject matter specialists

Might not affect the voting but the
better informed they are the better
they can do their job. Ask them to
be invited to your meeting with the
MEP.

13. Transparency, Transparency,
Transparency

Don’t hide your lobbying efforts

Your efforts will be known. Tell
people yourself and control the
story rather than look like Shady
Sam trying to influence under the
radar

14. More hints and tips
 Probably the best guide to lobbying
there is:
 Activistguide to the Brussels maze
from EDRi
http://www.edri.org/files/2012EDRiPapers/a

15. That wasn’t so difficult was it?