How to Work with the EU Institutions - A Practical Guide to Successful Public Affairs in the EU

EU legislation has worldwide and serious impacts for governments, businesses and consumers. In this systematic and practical handbook, expert Brussels professionals share their insights, tips and strategies for engaging successfully with the process by which these laws are made. The authors show how lobbying is a multi-stage end-to-end process and explain the opportunities, challenges and risks at each step. 

The book is full of real-world insights, timelines for how legislation is adopted, checklists of key points and actions, flowcharts and explanatory diagrams.

Section 1, which takes a comprehensive approach to public affairs management, reviews innovative methods for building influence, setting issue priorities, employing IT tools, communicating with the news media, attracting a social media following, and advancing issues through third-country advocacy.

Section 2 helps the reader apply these strategies to dealings with EU institutions. It covers the roles of the European Commission, Parliament and EU Councils, following Ordinary Legislative Procedure, and working with Delegated and Implementing Acts.

Section 3 sums up the various insights from contributors and provides guidance for successful EU advocacy. Note: This book can be read as a standalone or in conjunction with How the EU Institutions Work:  Your handbook and guide to EU decision-making (ISBN 9781838089801), which is a foundation text explaining how the EU institutions work together in the legislative process.

Foreword, by Douglas Pinkham, President of the Public Affairs Council
About the Authors
Introduction, by Alan Hardacre

Section 1: How to Build a Successful Public Affairs Strategy
1. The Art of Influence, by Laura Shields
2. An EU Public Affairs Methodology, by Alan Hardacre and Aaron McLoughlin
3. Digital Information Management in EU Public Affairs, by Leyla Sertel and Alan Hardacre
4. Working with the Media and Social Media in the EU, by Jon Worth
5. Third Country Lobbying in Brussels, by Alan Hardacre

Section 2: How to Work with the EU Institutions and Decision-Making
6. Working with the European Commission, by Aaron McLoughlin
7. Working with the European Parliament, by Doru Frantescu
8. Working with the Council(s), by Roland Moore and Alan Hardacre
9. How to Work with the Ordinary Legislative Procedure, by Roland Moore and Alan Hardacre
10. Working with Delegated and Implementing Acts, by Alan Hardacre and Aaron McLoughlin

Section 3: Summary
11. Recommendations for Best Practice in EU Public Affairs, by Alan Hardacre