23/10/2025
A recent investigation entitled ‘The Real Power of Public Interest Lobbyists in France’ unpacks the growing role of organisations that strive to influence public policy for the common good. Among them, our national branch, The Good Lobby France, is recognised as one of the players working to make lobbying more ethical, transparent and accessible to all.
This reflection invites us to move beyond the clichés that often surround the world of lobbying. All too often, the term conjures up images of hushed corridors, discreet exchanges between industry leaders and political decision-makers, and economic interests that override the voice of the public. Yet as our organisation has been committed to demonstrate since its inception in 2015, the reality is more nuanced. Alongside powerful private groups, there are other types of lobbies, those motivated by the public interest. Associations, NGOs, trade unions, foundations and think tanks also seek to influence public policy, but their mission faces a multitude of structural and political challenges, which are today amplified by the political attacks on the nonprofit world.
The two sides of lobbying
The word ‘lobby’ typically evokes negative reactions, which is why many prefer the softer term ‘advocacy’, as if that could distance it from controversy. In fact, lobbying is simply a way of making one’s voice heard by those in power – as argued by Professor Alberto Alemanno in his book Lobbying for Change that contributed to demystify this concept and practice of democracy.
The fundamental difference between an economic lobby and a public interest lobby lies in the objective not the method. While economic lobbies generally defend private interests, public interest lobbies aim to advance collective causes, ranging from environmental protection and human rights to public health and social justice. Yet in practice, this distinction does not guarantee equal opportunities of access and influence. NGOs and associations rarely have the same financial, human or technical resources as large industrial groups, which means that even when they defend the public good, their voice often carries less weight.
Inequalities in Europe
Although EU institutions pride themselves on opening up dialogue with civil society through consultations and participatory forums, these mechanisms are often inaccessible to small local associations, which lack the resources to register or keep up with the pace of discussions. As a result, there is a structural imbalance whereby large, better-funded professional or industrial federations are more visible and have a greater say.
With its transparency register, the EU Transparency Registry sought to regulate lobbying activities. And while the intention is commendable, in practice the system remains incomplete. Some funding streams, meetings and documents are not made public, and the rules concerning conflicts of interest remain vague. This lack of clarity fuels mistrust. It is still common for former public officials to join private pressure groups, or vice versa, blurring the line between expertise and influence. Lobbyists representing the public interest, meanwhile, often have to redouble their efforts in terms of transparency and rigour in order to be taken seriously.
Rethinking lobbying
Strengthening the role of public interest lobbies does not mean increasing regulations or controls, but rather ensuring more balanced representation within consultative bodies, supporting associations that lack resources, and making interactions between elected officials and interest groups truly public. Public interest lobbies embody a form of large-scale civic engagement and are the voice of those who have no say, a counterweight to economic powers. But for them to play their role fully, they must be given the means to do so and, above all, be guaranteed a fair platform to express themselves. The real challenge is not to eliminate lobbying, but to control it. Behind this much-maligned word lies perhaps one of the most powerful tools for keeping democracy alive. Bottom up, public participation.