Why Lobbying Access Matters

Interest groups, like NGOs and business associations, play a crucial role in representing diverse societal interests to policymakers. These groups act as bridges between the public and the state. However, concerns exist about equal access for all lobbyists.Current perceptions often portray lobbyists as a homogenous group, typically white, middle-aged, and well-educated men. Limited research suggests a concerning lack of diversity among lobbyists.

Consequences of Bias

If policymakers primarily interact with lobbyists from similar backgrounds, it can lead to:Skewed Policy Outcomes:
▸ Policy decisions may favor specific societal segments, neglecting the needs of others.
▸ Eroded Trust: Limited access for diverse voices can lead to citizen distrust and undermine the legitimacy of institutions.

Our Approach

Similarity Attraction Theory: We explore this psychological theory within the context of lobbying for the first time. Our hypothesis: policymakers are more likely to meet with lobbyists who share similar characteristics (age, gender, ethnicity, education).
▸ Focus on the EU: We will create a comprehensive database of EU lobbyists and their socio-demographic profiles.
▸ Research Methods: We will combine desk research, focus groups, surveys, and experiments to test our hypotheses.

The Goal: A More Inclusive EU Policy Landscape

ACCESS4ALL aims to cultivate a policy landscape where policymakers engage with lobbyists from all walks of life, promoting inclusivity and ensuring that policy outcomes reflect the diverse needs and perspectives of society. We strive to understand biases in access from a scientific perspective and produce cutting-edge research on the topic to inform positive change within the EU.

ACCESS4ALL Survey — Now in the Field

As part of the ACCESS4ALL research project, funded by the Dutch Research Foundation (NWO), we are currently conducting a large-scale survey among professionals active in European public affairs. The survey examines how public affairs professionals engage with EU policymakers and how access to decision-making is distributed across organisations and socio-demographic backgrounds. It forms a core component of the project’s empirical strategy, alongside interviews, desk research and experimental research.

The survey targets professionals working across the EU public affairs ecosystem, including consultancies, companies, business and professional associations, NGOs, and research or advocacy organisations active at EU level. Participation is by invitation only. Participants receive early access to an exclusive findings report and an invitation to the ACCESS4ALL Public Affairs Insights Conference in Brussels (November 2026), where results will be discussed with practitioners and scholars.

Publications

De Bruycker, I. (2024). Access for all? Socio-demographic biases and interest group access to the European Parliament. Journal of European Public Policy, 1-25.

Vande Walle, B., De Bruycker, I., Martinez-Böhme, S., & Eiselt, S. (2026). Interest groups. In D. Stockemer, S. Sawyer, & A. Gagnon (Eds.), The IPSA companion to political science. Springer. 

Join the Conversation!

Stay tuned for further updates on the ACCESS4ALL project’s scientific output, its team’s growth and its impact on promoting a more representative and democratic EU policy space.