This is a practical handbook and guide created by Brussels public affairs and communications specialists for other public affairs professionals. This new edition has been updated and expanded for the 2025-2029 Commission/European Parliament term. The book’s emphasis is on the realities of when and exactly how to engage with the EU institutions to achieve maximum impact, with systematic advice on best practice and campaign management. It is packed with real-world insights generously shared by the experienced authors, timelines for how legislation is adopted, checklists of key points and actions, flowcharts and explanatory diagrams. The book is organised into two parts: 1. Working with the EU Institutions & Decision-Making: Detailed, realistic chapters on how to work with the Commission, Parliament, Council and other EU bodies and the two key decision-making procedures: the Ordinary Legislative Procedure and delegated/implementing acts. Each chapter gives concrete guidance on how to approach each step-by-step. 2. Successful Public Affairs in the EU: What influence is, how to improve your ability to exercise it, and how to structure your approach. This includes a modern public affairs structure, working with the media and social media and building a successful EU campaign. The final chapter distils the book’s key insights into a set of recommendations for EU public affairs best practice. Note: This book can be read as a standalone or in conjunction with How the EU Institutions Work 2025-2029 (ISBN 978-1-0684409-3-9), which is a foundation text explaining how the EU institutions work together in the legislative process. AUTHOR TEAM Alan Hardacre: with 20 years’ experience of working with the EU institutions, Alan is currently a partner at Advocacy Strategy, a consultancy focused on helping clients build public affairs structures, processes, capacity and knowledge. Aaron McLoughlin: Senior Advisor at FleishmanHillard in Brussels. Doru Frantescu: Head of EUmatrix.eu Maria Linkova-Nijs: Executive Head of Policy and Strategy at ACEA, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association. Roland Moore: Public Affairs Director, Europe, at Mars. Laura Shields: Managing Director of Red Thread communications agency. Jon Worth: communications trainer and consultant. CONTENTS PART1: HOW TO WORK WITH THE EU INSTITUTIONS & DECISION-MAKING 1. Working with the European Commission 2. Working with the European Parliament 3. Working with the Council of the EU and the European Council 4. Working with Other EU Bodies 5. How to Work with the Ordinary Legislative Procedure 6. Working with Delegated & Implementing Acts PART 2: SUCCESSFUL PUBLIC AFFAIRS IN THE EU 7. The Art of Influence 8. A Professional EU Public Affairs Process 9. Working with the Media and Social Media in the EU 10. Building a successful holistic EU campaign 11. Final Recommendations for Best Practice in EU Public Affairs