Open Days 2012 Special: Why have a regional representation in Brussel

There are over 200 regional representations in Brussel. Every year during the EU Open Days we celebrate the partnership between the EU and regions. As part of this the coming weeks, EU KNOW HOW blogs will focus especially on EU regional interest representation; Our first blog answers the question on why have a regional representation in the first place?

Lobbying requires a lot of resources. Budget does help, but it  is third in importance compared to manpower and political will. A certain cost benefit analysis should be at the basis of any rational behind deciding to have a regional representation in Brussels. Still, when making a cost-benefit analysis you should also take into account the so called “opportunity costs”. While a lot of representations have a hard time measuring how much did their lobby benefit from being based in Brussels or the national capital, it is quite easy calculating how much it costs when you are not involved in European Affairs. There are numerous examples of regions facing problems with legislations or being the last to get funded. Often -if not always- these laggards  have been “sleeping” while legislations was passed. And while no regional representation is alike, I think there are basicly tree main reasons regional lobby’s should lobby in Brussels.

1. Monitoring and influencing Legislation

More then 50% of national legislation originates in Brussels. This figure rises to almost 80% if you only take environmental legislation into account. Bearing in mind that local governments are often responsible for carrying out, monitoring and upholding this legislation, it becomes all the more apparent that it is important to be aware of upcoming legislation in an early stage. This is no trivial matter, as the wrong application of EU legislation can lead to claims in court, complaints at the European Commission , decision to be annulled, fines and/or repayment of unintentional damages. But more important is the damage to the reputation of a local government. Citizens of local governments have the right to depend on sound governance, and you can imagine how a European court-case undermines the respectability of a municipality or region.

2. Monitoring and seizing financial opportunities

The EU has an agreed budget of €120.7 billion for the year 2011 and €864.3 billion for the period 2007–2013. About 30% of this budget are reserved for structural action, which target the regional and municipal level. In times of crisis and budgetcuts the EU budget can make a real and sustainable impact to regional development. Regions often joke that the EU is a bigger friend to local governments then their own national ministries. By being in Brussel it is easier to monitor and seize the financial opportunities that the EU provides. By maintaining contacts, you will be able to hear about call for proposals before they come out and find partners to tea up with for the development of your EU project.

3. Building the profile of your municipality or region

Building a European profile of your municipality or region is a must if you want to have success influencing the EU legislative process or seizing the financial opportunities the EU has to offer. How many times have I seen local governments go to Brussels as part of a annual trip, in the hope to make a statement. This is a utter waste of time and resources. Brussels is a constant flux of people, and just visiting once a year will have no impact.  “Being there” is an advantage you have over thousands of competitors EU-wide. However, just being there is not enough. While no region is alike, you should at least be seen as a reliable partner that not only “takes” but also “gives”. As a former MEP told me at the start of my career; “If a problem arises in the EU, the whole of Europe wil start calling 1 or 2 members of European Parliament. Make sure they know you and appreciate you before you have a problem!”. And indeed, as a legislative proces reaches its decisive stage policymakers are inundated with e-mails and phone-calls. The policymaker will decide to answer only those that have a track-record in contributing with sound advise.


All the wrong reasons to have a regional representation in Brussels.

While I think it is important that every region is present in the national capital, at the same time regions should think twice before opening shop in Brussels. Some say; Europe is becoming increasingly more important!  But is it really? Does the region have a good overview of it’s “European interests”. Here are at least tree wrong reasons why regions enter the world of EU lobbying.

Goldrush
This is a bit of a contradiction of the beforementioned reason to actually be present in Brussel. A lot of regional representations are in Brussels because of the EU Budget. And while the EU Budget is an attractive reason to be based in Brussels, one should always be cautioned not to be struck by gold-fever. In reality, EU funds are very difficult to come by. Cohesion funds are allocated by a National Envelop, and so are funds from the CAP. To get money from yearly calls for proposals depend as much on having a good project proposal as on lobbying. Lobbying does help, but only if the project proposal is already excellent, and it needs that extra push in the midst of competing excellent projects.

Not a local or regional issue
The European Union spans a wide range of policy issues, from enlargement to transport. Does your local government really have the competencies to deal with all EU issues? Does your Province really have to have an opinion on the European Union wind-energy policy? Or the European Union pension system for that matter? With the right stretch of imagination, you could make a case that everything has a local or regional dimension to it, and before you know it you will be involved in countless meetings spending numerous hours discussing things that only have a marginal relevance for your region. Sometimes it is difficult to judge if something is important for your local government. In case of doubt it is even better not to take action then to take action. In Brussels there are numerous professionails with their own pet projects, and they will do anything to convince you that this policy issue is pressing. Avoid getting tangled in their web. The golden rule is; a policy issue is only important if a lot of people are working on it, and if there is substantial budget involved.

Not an European issue
As a lobbyist at the European Union for the Dutch Province of Zeeland, a lot of local stakeholders came to me with issues which they hoped to solve on EU level. However not every problem or issue can be resolved on the EU level. Paving a local road with little importance for the EU, or building a local yacht harbour are just some things that come to mind. And while it certainly is not impossible, it is not always easy to interest the EU for a local issue unless you can prove that more European regions face the same problem.     

How to lobby for EU funding

The EU bolst a budget of billions of Euro’s. Getting to those billions is however an arduous and complex undertaking that will will require both time and energy. There are roughly said, three moments when lobbying for funds can take place; When regulations are drawn up, when the annual or operation programme is drawn up and at project level.

The Regulation; The root of all funds

Every EU fund has its root in a regulation. There are thee reasons why influencing a regulation might be beneficial; First, because you can try to have your distinctive theme or issue mentioned in the regulation (such as climate change, or SME’s). For this reason regional representations always try to add a territorial or regiona aspect to regulations that govern a certain fund. Secondly, some regulations bear an allocation formula. Such is the case for most structural funds. Tweaking this formula will have an impact on the amount of money that your member state, region or what-not will receive. Finally, lobbying a fund regulation also gives you the opportunity to make a fund more workable. Most funds will need some amount of co-financing. Both the amount as the natura of co-financing (private or public money) is always a matter of debate. Another example would be lump-sums or variable rates for overhead costs of project. Working on a regulation while it is still a proposal will make it will be easier to acces and work with later on. Please mind, that while lobbying at this stage is both sensible and necessary, it is quite difficult. Moreover the opportunity comes along only once every 7 years, when the EU multi-annual budget and it subsequent funding schemes are developed.

Annual or operational programs.

Every regulation will be worked out in a more detailed annual plan or an operational program (in case of the structural funds). These programs highlight the goals, objectives and measures of each and every fund. For the centrally managed project it is the European Commission that draws the programs, for the structural funds it is either the member state or the regions, in both cases in good partnership with stakeholders. There is no uniform way how programmes are drawn up. This differes from fund to fund. What is uniform however, is that all funds will allow for some degree of inpunt by stakeholders. Most of the time the people drawing up the program will appreciate timely and accurate input. So it it very important to identify at an early stage who will draw the annual or operation program and when there are opportunities to provide input. Why are these programmes important. Regulations provide for goals and objectives at a very abstract level. The regulation might for example say that climate change is an objective of a fund, the program makes the regulation more tangible (promotion of electric cars). Secondly, operational programmes sometime provide for gouverning rules which enable or unable you to make use of funds. (the programme area of Interreg is determined in the programmes, so if your region is outside a certain programme area, your tough out of luck).

Project level

We have arrived at the most concrete level, that of the project. Most if not all EU funding will in the end need some kind of projectdesign to approve funding. In other words you will need to design a project. While it goes beyond the scope of this blog to write how to write a EU projectproposal  I will limit myself to saying that your project needs to be well written. All the lobbying in the world wont help if your project is poorly written and/or designed. A good project can take over a year to develop. When you are the proud owner of a well written project, turn to lobbying. A project is always evaluated either by European Commission evaluators or by steering committees. In both cases try to find out who they are. Try to find out if the person(s) in question are receptive to input. Some project evaluators like to see concept projects in order to give advice and feedback. Some however are absolutely allergic to lobbying and don’t like to be approached under no circumstances. Then its  “mission abort”. Secondly, always find political backing for your project. This doesn’t need to be someone with direct decision making power in the project selection process. You can find for example a local deputy or an Member of European Parliament to endorse your project. Finally try to push  the theme, goal or objective of your project. If your project is about energy efficiency in your local port, don’t promote your specific port, try to promote energy efficiency in ports in general. By lifting your project to a EU level you can lobby and promote your cause without being accused of promoting just one particular pet-project.