Abstract

In an ever evolving and digitalised world, where virtual meetings have increased exponentially and people are an instant message or email away, the decision of opening or maintaining an office in Brussels or any other policy decision city worldwide can be difficult. The costs of maintaining an office and personnel full time in “the capital” are high, but is it worth the cost, or should we say, the investment? Why do these institutions need to have premises and specialised personnel dedicated to advocating their institutions and its interests?
The poster introduces the so-called “Brussels effect” and the interest for organisations from all over the world in the legislative and not legislative activities of the European Institutions and advocating for their interests. It also highlights the permeating effect of the European Research Area and all related initiatives on national R&I systems. These initiatives, like Open Science, Research Assessment or Gender Equality, to name a few, are often designed and undertaken with other international initiatives and organisations, such as the OCDE, so their implementation involves organisations from all over the globe.
It presents the role of the RMA-lobbyist/advocacy as a branch or specialization of the RMA profession and their relevance for their institutions, dedicated to following up, analysing and advising on the policies and initiatives affecting them, representing their organisation, networking with colleagues from homologues and other entities from the R&I ecosystem, and establishing relations with other stakeholders. These RMAs, with a solid pre and post-award experience back home, can bring a technical approach to a rather political position as lobbyist, increasing the added value, efficiency and sustainability.
This work confirms the added value of having a representation permanently based in Brussels or any other legislative capital. It allows the institution to be heard and seen, reduces the costs and environmental impact of frequent traveling from the home offices, facilitates access to first-hand information on all the recent developments and the capacity to being able to react timely to them, and maintaining relevant contacts (formal and informal) that can only be maintained through personal meetings.