lobbying the eu institutions: why and how?
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Lobbying the EU institutions: Why and How? Prague, Thursday 23 February 2006 EPHA, CAL and SKOK workshop “Strengthening the networking on public health in Czech Republic” Anne Hoel, EPHA – European Public Health Alliance. Lobbying the EU institutions: Why and how?. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
EPHA Presentation
Lobbying the EU institutions: Why and how?
Lobbying the EU institutions:
Why and How?
Prague, Thursday 23 February 2006
EPHA, CAL and SKOK workshop “Strengthening the networking on public health in Czech
Republic”
Anne Hoel,
EPHA – European Public Health Alliance
EPHA Presentation
Workshop session outline
Presentation: the EU policy-making process, the different actors and the NGO role
Presentation of the case study: Health and Consumer Programme
Work in different groups and presentation of the results
Presentation of EPHA experience and final overview of lobbying activities
EPHA Presentation
Part 1: EU policy making processes, the different actors and the NGO role
EPHA Presentation
The European CommissionVoice of the common interest
Official role as the ‘Guardian of the Treaty’.
It has the sole right to initiate legislation, and
monitors implementation of EU laws.
If Member States do not implement laws
adequately the Commission can start
infringement procedures. Commissioners are appointed by the Member States but
are required to act in the ‘European interest’ and not of their home country. They are supported by a Cabinet, usually of political appointees.
Directorates-General are the core EU civil service, responsible for drafting EU legislation, organising public consultations and the day-to-day business of the EU.
EPHA Presentation
The European Parliament:Direct voice of the citizens
Elected for 5 years by the citizens of the
EU to represent their interests. 732 Members of the European
Parliament (MEPs) from 25 countries EU-wide parties Job: pass “European Laws” (together
with the Council of Ministers), approve
the annual and multi annual budgets of the EU Power to dismiss the European Commission
More info on http:www.europarl.eu.int
EPHA Presentation
The Council of Ministers: Voice of the Member States
The EU is a union of Member States. The highest political and legislative authority is the European Council which consists of Member States.
The Council of Ministers shares with the Parliament the responsibility for passing laws and taking policy decisions. It also bears the main responsibility for what the EU does in the field of the common foreign and security policy and for EU action on some justice and freedom issues.
The Council consists of ministers from the national governments of all the EU countries. Meetings are attended by whichever ministers are responsible for the items to be discussed: foreign ministers, ministers of the economy and finance, ministers for agriculture, etc…
National civil servants posted to Brussels meet weekly to prepare the Ministerial meetings. They receive instructions from their governments and the meetings establish the basic positions of each country.
EPHA Presentation
Role of NGOs and networking
Many EU policies have an impact – direct or indirect – on the health of EU citizens
15,000 to 20,000 lobbyists in Brussels and ONLY 10% are NGOs representing citizens’ interests
What is the difference between NGOs and lobbyists
Networking and alliances are the ONLY way to make our voice heard - You are unlikely to succeed alone. Use other NGOs resources rather than “re-invent the wheel” on your own.
Example: EU Health Policy Forum
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CASE STUDY: The Health and Consumer Programme
PART 2: CASE STUDY - THE HEALTH AND CONSUMER PROGRAMME 2007-2013
Presentation of the case study Work in small groups
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CASE STUDY: The Health and Consumer Programme: overview 1/2
Public Health Programme 2003-2008: health information, health threats and health determinants
Commission proposes a joint programme: New Consumer and Health Programme 2007-2013
3 new strands: deliver response to health threats, prevent diseases and injuries and achieve synergies between national health systems
Increased budget: 1,203 million EUR
EPHA Presentation
CASE STUDY: The Health and Consumer Programme: Overview 2/2
Weak legal text Introduces core funding for European networks of
health NGOs Differenciates national agencies: they would only
get 50% co-financing for projects (Vs NGOs that would get 60%)
Emphasizes the importance of communication campaigns, specially towards young people
Budget: very ambitious objectives and activities, increased budget but not enough
Lobby for “1 EUR for health” (1 EUR for each European citizen).
EPHA Presentation
CASE STUDY: The Health and Consumer Programme - Objectives of EPHA lobbying campaign
Strengthening the legal text Establishing clear criterias for NGOs that
will receive core funding Increase the levels of co-financing for
projects Budget: Increase the overall budget to
match the ambitions “1 EUR for health” (1 EUR for each
European citizen).
EPHA Presentation
CASE STUDY: The Health and Consumer Programme
TIME FOR WORK!!!
Imagine that you’re
part of the EPHA
Secretariat....
And You and your
Members have to
achieve the objectives
that I have just set out.
What would you do?
EPHA Presentation
CASE STUDY: The Health and Consumer Programme - TIPS
Target audience:
- The European Commission
- The European Parliament
- The Council- Other NGOs- EPHA members- Medias
Would you meet the 732 MEPs?
Would you talk to each representative of Member States? or meet each government?
Would you organise sit-in protests in front of the European Council?
Would you involve citizens?
EPHA Presentation
CASE STUDY: The Health and Consumer Programme - TIPS
Information + context = communication Background - what is the issue, the processes
and timeframe? Define your messages - what do you want to say?
What is unique or special about your position? Identify your targets - who takes the decisions?
Who do they listen to? What is important to them? Select your vehicles - activities, events,
information releases, meetings, conferences, media relations, demonstrations
Check the landscape - who are your allies and opponents? Track their messages and respond.
EPHA Presentation
Conclusions: Lobbying the EU institutions: how and why?
PART 3: CONCLUSIONS - LOBBYING THE EU INSTITUTIONS:
HOW AND WHY?
Theoretical framework Health and Consumer Programme example
EPHA Presentation
Conclusion: Lobbying and the role of NGOs in Brussels – Defining lobbying
Direct lobbying: Stating your position on specific legislation to legislators or other government employees who participate in the formulation of legislation, or urge your members to do so.
Grassroots lobbying: Stating your position on legislation to the general public and asking the general public to contact legislators or other government employees who participate in the formulation of legislation.
EPHA Presentation
Conclusion: Who do we lobby?
European Commission - Role in policy formulation and drafting legislation.
European Parliament - accessible, the ‘people’s representatives’, key role in legislation.
European Council - Policy and position tracking in Brussels, lobby at the national level.
Other actors - think tanks and academics, NGOs, trade associations, UN agencies, trade unions, local and regional authorities, media, embassies, World Health Organisation.
EPHA Presentation
Conclusion: Roles of the NGO sector
Monitor, analyse and inform > what is happening in the institutions? What are the new
policy trends, legal proposals?> what could this mean for your member organisations or
target group? What actions are needed - passive monitoring or active lobbying?
> explain the background of the issue, basic elements of the proposal, the timeframe for action
Raise awareness – within our membership and other NGOs - ensure that members understand the implications for them and their issues of this policy or legislation
Engage and consult - encourage debate, exchange of ideas, brainstorm on what should be the goals of lobbying. Gather viewpoints from communities and target groups - particularly those affected by the policy proposal
EPHA Presentation
Conclusion: Roles of the NGO sector
Challenge - the policy-makers and other stakeholders to address concerns or provide evidence and arguments for their positions
Empower - provide the tools for NGOs to act, eg draft letters, opportunities to sign-up, attend meetings with policy-makers.
Represent - bringing forward the diversity of voices of civil society, public interest, visibility through the media.
Follow-up - keep up the momentum, follow the policy through to implementation, evaluation and review
EPHA Presentation
Conclusion: Health and Consumer Programme – EPHA activities
We monitored the activities (knowing the different actors, the timetable, etc...) so as to transmit the knowledge to our members and act in a timely manner
Raised awareness among our members with briefing and meetings: decision by EPHA members that it was a priority for EPHA
Engaged debate and drafted position paper with EPHA members
Empowered our members with voting list, amendments, key contacts, etc...
Used EPHA as an alliance with each member lobbying on a particular issue and EPHA secretariat on the funding part
EPHA Presentation
Conclusion: Health and Consumer Programme – EPHA activities
Lobbying the Commission: meetings and exchange of e-mails when they were drafting the HCP
European Parliament: 2 conferences
organised with the Commissioner for
Health and Health attachés +
contact and meetings with key MEPs
+ drafting amendments + voting list + letter Lobbying the Council? EPHA members at national
level, in their own language, to their own contacts
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Conclusion: Health and Consumer Programme – EPHA activities
Consultation of other NGOs (eg consumer organisations)
Representing EPHA members in different conferences
Media articles
Follow-up
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Conclusion: Health and Consumer Programme – Timetable
One of the main committees of the European Parliament has adopted the HC programme
Consistent with our approach - Most of our amendments were adopted (but the budget)
Now, it needs to be endorsed by the whole EP – March 2006
And the Council (vote expected in June)
YOUR TIME TO LOBBY!!!!!!
EPHA Presentation
European Public Health Alliance
39-41 Rue d´Arlon
B-1000 Brussels
Belgium
Tel : +32-2 230 30 56
Fax : +32-2 233 38 80
www.epha.org