Thought Leadership
Brussels – Lobbying Center of Europe
Brussels; located in Belgium, has become the center of all lobbying activity in Europe. Once a small town, it has evolved into the most prominent lobbying center in Europe. Almost every industry imaginable has lobbying representation in Brussels. And some of the biggest lobbying firms in the world are present here.
Lobbying in Brussels
Although it is a fact that big businesses have a sizeable clout over the political world, the world of corporate lobbying is still unknown to the general public. Corporate lobbying has made a sizeable impact on the E.U and so, the Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) has been working since 1997 to create awareness among the people about lobbying in Brussels
Since the last few years the CEO has taken various efforts to educate people about lobbying in Brussels. They have organized guided tours through the EU quarter of Brussels thereby introducing people from all walks of life to lobbying in Brussels. During these tours, the audience is shown the offices and headquarters of lobby groups and other key players in EU. Tour participants get concrete examples of the impact of lobbying on the decision making process in EU.
The Brussels EU quarter
Brussels has seen great development since it became the lobbying capital of Europe. Once a wealthy residential area spread with fine art and architecture, it is now filled with large corporate offices. The demand for office space keeps increasing and year after year each street is becoming packed with offices of lobbying firms. It is no more a gentle town surrounded by greenery; rather, an epicenter of lobbying activities in Europe.
Lobbyists in Brussels
Over the years, as lobbying activity has increased, so have the number of lobbyists. Today, an estimated 15,000 lobbyists are present in Brussels. And over 70% of them work directly or indirectly for the interests of corporate parties. Around 20% of them work for interests of regions, cities and international institutes. And 10% represent non-governmental organizations including trade unions, public health organizations and environmental groups. This goes to show that almost every industry imaginable has lobbyist representation in Brussels.
Some of the biggest lobbying organizations are present in Brussels, for example, APCO, Burson and Marsteller, etc. These firms are mostly hired by large corporations who are in need of strategic and intelligent lobbying advice in Brussels. Private firms begin by making a long list of possible strategies that may work for their clients. Thereafter the clients decide which strategy suits them best.
After having observed the lobbying activity in Brussels, it has become clear that over the last 20 years or so, it has gained prominence as a lobbying center, and will continue to do so in the years to come.
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