{"id":22381,"date":"2022-10-13T08:40:32","date_gmt":"2022-10-13T09:40:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.guidaeuroprogettazione.eu\/advocacy-in-brussels-who-are-the-umbrella-organizations\/"},"modified":"2026-01-30T08:12:51","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T09:12:51","slug":"advocacy-in-brussels-who-are-the-umbrella-organizations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/euknow.it\/en\/advocacy-in-brussels-who-are-the-umbrella-organizations\/","title":{"rendered":"“Advocacy” in Brussels: who are the “umbrella organizations”?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lobbying and advocacy are an important (and noble) part of europlanning. Let’s find out the main characters together.<\/p>\n

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Lobbying and Advocacy: let’s define them.<\/b><\/h2>\n

We touched on the topic of “advocacy” and “lobbying” in Brussels for the first time this summer, as part of an<\/span>\n interesting interview<\/span>\n<\/a> which provided many important insights.<\/span><\/p>\n

Let us take up and explore the topic by first trying to understand what it is all about: to shed light on a topic that may appear obscure if not framed correctly.<\/span><\/p>\n

First, there is nothing strange or abnormal about the (so-called) activity of “lobbying” when it is open in nature and intended as “advocacy.” The two terms are related, and can be considered synonymous, with a nuance: the “<\/span>lobbying<\/b>” is the exercise of influence toward those who wield power in an area or sector; the”<\/span>advocacy<\/b>” is the exercise of such influence when associated with social needs and the mobilization of public opinion.<\/span><\/p>\n

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A substantial part of europlanning<\/b><\/h2>\n

In both cases, when carried out within a proper institutional and ethical framework, both lobbying and advocacy are activities that are not only legitimate but also <\/span>important for the European Union<\/b>. Indeed, community institutions seek a continuous <\/span>confrontation with civil society<\/b>, with citizens, with organizations representing their demands and interests, with the European public sector in the various member states, and with the business community. The European projects are. <\/span>\n the application of a policy<\/span>\n<\/a>; policies are a response of institutions to needs; and to know the needs it is necessary to have a dialogue with those who manifest them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Those involved in European projects have a <\/span>greater responsibility<\/b> in engaging in this dialogue, as it must bring back to the institutions its experience (in a small way) as a policy implementer, thereby nurturing the funding programming cycle and contributing to its improvement. This responsibility brings with it some <\/span>advantages<\/b>, because active participation in dialogue with institutions allows one to know in advance the directions in one’s field and to be better prepared in developing new projects.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Representative channels and associations-umbrella<\/b><\/h2>\n

This may sound abstract, but it is an activity within the reach of organizations. Or rather: it is an activity that becomes within the reach of organizations when they build a network and act through the relevant sector organizations and the specific <\/span>channels of representation<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are many of them and they are among the most active actors in Brussels. They refer to similar national organizations, or larger organizations, or at other times gather members widely among small and medium-sized organizations active in their area of focus. Because of their nature as an association that gathers and represents other associations, they are referred to as “<\/span>associations-umbrella<\/b>“.<\/span><\/p>\n

Each umbrella-association carries a specific sectoral expertise and thematic network. They are <\/span>important interlocutors<\/b> of community organizations and officials dealing with community policies and funds. Their contributions (through <\/span>simple feedback<\/span><\/a>, specific and thematic meetings, participation in <\/span>green books<\/span><\/a> e <\/span>white papers<\/span><\/a>, mobilization campaigns, etc.) have a real impact on policies, programs and calls. Their role is <\/span>bi-directional<\/b>: on the one hand they represent the demands of the organizations in their sector, and on the other they bring their members information on policies and their expected developments in terms of funds and calls for proposals.<\/span><\/p>\n

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An activity within the reach of organizations<\/b><\/h2>\n

It is <\/span>\n it is therefore<\/span>\n<\/a> of a process and structure that exist in all areas of NGO activity. Through these channels you can have information from Brussels, representation in Brussels, your own voice in Brussels, even for the little ones. And through these channels it is possible, even for young children, to contribute to European project policies and programming. The important thing is to find the best “<\/span>landing point<\/b>” related to its area of focus.<\/span><\/p>\n

Let us analyze together, in concrete terms, what these “<\/span>landing points<\/b>“; not to mention the parallel role of some specific institutions (such as the <\/span>Economic and Social Committee<\/span><\/a>, the <\/span>Committee of the Regions<\/span><\/a> or the <\/span>Italian representation<\/span><\/a> at the EU), the support provided by the <\/span>Europe Direct network<\/span><\/a> and other decentralized offices, the possibility of a <\/span>direct contact<\/span><\/a> o the exchange and meeting opportunities provided by <\/span>“European days” and events<\/span><\/a> in the various areas of EU action (in which it is increasingly easy to participate even from a distance).<\/span><\/p>\n

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Identikit of organizations-umbrella<\/b><\/h2>\n

The umbrella organizations present in Brussels or otherwise active at the community level are many, <\/span>in the range of hundreds<\/b>. There are, almost always, multiple umbrella organizations active in the same field. They are distinguished from each other on the basis of various parameters:<\/span><\/p>\n