Higher School of Lobbying Opened in Ukraine

On November 7, 2025, a landmark event took place in Kyiv – the opening of the Higher School of Lobbying, an innovative educational initiative under the auspices of the Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association (UNLA).

During the event, an analytical study “History of Lobbying in Ukraine: From Origins to the Present” was presented, prepared by a group of authors led by Oleksandr Kamenets and Vyacheslav Butko. The study traces the evolution of influence in Ukraine – from informal practices of the 1990s to the adoption of the Law “On Lobbying” No. 3606-IX and the formation of a transparent, ethical culture of representing interests according to European standards.

The formation of professional lobbying in Ukraine is impossible without a combination of analysis of historical experience and the implementation of the best world practices – the EU, Great Britain and the USA. This is how the basis for the development of civilized, professional and responsible lobbying in our country is created.

“The launch of the Higher School of Lobbying is more than the start of a curriculum. It is the beginning of a change in the culture of decision-making in Ukraine. We are forming a new generation of experts for whom influencing politics is about professionalism, ethics, transparency and responsibility to society,” said Oleksandr Kamenets, UNLA Representative in Brussels.

The presentation of the study was the first step of the international educational bridge “Kyiv-Brussels-Washington”, which aims to connect Ukrainian specialists with leading European and American institutions in the field of public affairs, advocacy and influencing politics.

Over the coming months, this study will be presented in the capitals of Ukraine’s key partners in Europe and the world — as part of a broader discussion on transparency, ethics and modern lobbying standards.

“Ukraine has all the prerequisites to become the center of modern, civilized lobbying. We are creating not only an educational platform, but also an ethical system of the profession,” emphasized Oleksiy Shevchuk, UNLA Chairman.