During the 7th dialogue between the 28 mayors of the European capital cities, the mayors adopted the « Brussels Declaration » on September 25th. With the commissioners, C. Cretu and J. Katainen and 24 capital cities present, the Declaration firstly shows a strong willingness to continue working with London even after the Brexit.

The aim of this Declaration was to position cities as real actors in the future 2021-2027 Cohesion Policy. If the latter wants to better support growth, then it is about giving the means to the cities, which are truly the link between the European Union and the citizens. Adopted by the 28 mayors, Eurocities and under the supervision of the Committee of the Regions, this Declaration focuses on public investment in cities, particularly on education, health, employment and integration. The ambition is great since the mayors want to obtain 6% of the ERDF in English for the capital cities. They work hand-in-hand with the Commission and hope to include the Urban Agenda in all European Union policies as early as 2021.

« Less bureaucracy in Brussels and a shorter path between Europe and the cities, » say the 24 mayors present in Brussels. This desire for a strengthened Urban Agenda is essential to make cities more livable and to show and communicate better where Europe’s money is going. The mayor of Amsterdam, Femke Halsema, confirms, « We are pragmatic places & forces in a polarized Europe ».

The host mayor, Philippe Close, added, « We experience the same problems, we live the same topics, such as education, security, the relationship with citizens, participation. Beyond that, there was a real dialogue and a real debate over 4 hours with the Commission. The latter understood that the cities are the face of its policy through which, among others, the various cohesion programs. The big absentees are the Member States, the Council of the Union, which badly finances its cities and who badly finances the Commission which in the end has to make budget cuts. For Belgium as a federal State relations do not go too badly. But, the budget cuts with the Brexit are already there. »

The post 28 EU Capital City Mayors to defend their piece of the cake in Brussels appeared first on Brussels Express.

Pascal Goergen is Secretary-General of the Federation of Regional Actors in Europe (FEDRA) and Professor at the EPHEC University College in Brussels. As a former Secretary General of the Assembly of European Regions and former diplomatic Representative of the Brussels-Capital Region to the EU, Pascal spent a lot of time within the institutions and observed the effective methods of lobbying, which lead him to write his new book, Lobbying & Networking in Brussels. After his first book, Networking in Brussels, Pascal chose to expand on his literature to show the nuanced interactions that networking and lobbying share.

What are lobbying and networking?

Coined lobbying due to the initial practice of waiting in the lobby of government buildings for a chance to speak to legislators. Lobbying is where someone, usually on behalf of an organisation, meets with legislators to influence them to pass legislation in their interests. This can include anything from lowering mobile phone roaming rates to passing agricultural bills.

Networking, within this perspective, is where you seek to broaden your lists of contacts with people who could provide you with beneficial resources or connections to help you in your lobbying pursuits.

Using them together

« Lobbying can’t exist without an efficient network. » says Pascal. Choosing to focus his book on the lobbying and networking in Brussels, Pascal views the interactions in « The Brussels Bubble » as key to efficiently lobby.

To be given the opportunity to meet people informally and state your purpose could be the precursor to gauging the situation with the legislator and then to tailor your approach with a more refined and measured tactic.

Issues with networking and lobbying

However, it is through this method that lobbying often gets its negative connotations. Ideas of shadow lobbying where private influencers can determine public legislation have many people sceptical on the idea of lobbying. « But ordinary people lobby every day. Even as a child, when you try to convince your parents to play outside instead of doing your homework, you’re lobbying, » says Pascal.

To combat this, The European Union set up a transparency register so citizens could view the ongoing dealings between companies and legislators. However, due to the dynamics between lobbying and networking, often, companies could further their relations with legislators outside of official buildings as the networking events within the Brussels bubble could still expose them to outside influence.

Good to Know

• Lobbying and Networking in Brussels – 20€ – available at Librebook

The post Book review: « Lobbying can’t exist without an efficient network » says Pascal Goergen appeared first on Brussels Express.