This interview is with SERHII KOLISNYK, partner, Attorney-at-law, PhD in Law at Managing Partner of LOBBY CLUB.

Serhii Kolisnyk, partner, Attorney-at-law, PhD in Law, Managing Partner of LOBBY CLUB

Can you tell us about your background and how you became involved in lobbying and government relations in Ukraine and Europe?

I was born in Donetsk in 1986, and my professional path has always been connected with law, human rights, and public service. After finishing high school in Donetsk, I moved to Kyiv to study at the National Academy of Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine, where I graduated with honors.

My career began in the prosecutor's office, where I advanced from a district investigator to a role at the General Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine, and later served as a district prosecutor and head of department in regional offices. Altogether, I gained more than 16 years of experience in human rights and legal advocacy. These years gave me a strong understanding of how institutions function and how laws are applied in practice.

Later, I led the investigative division of the tax authorities in Kyiv and then opened my own private law practice. This step allowed me to better understand the challenges businesses face in building transparent relationships with the state.

In the spring of 2024, together with my partner Kateryna Odarchenko, I co-founded the "Lobby Club" — a professional platform for lawyers, business leaders, consultants, and academics who want to develop a culture of advocacy in Ukraine and beyond. We saw the need for such a community, where we organize closed-door meetings, dialogues with MPs, and international conferences. Our mission is to build a bridge between business, society, and government, and to bring Ukraine closer to the best international practices in government relations.

For me, this step was a natural continuation of my journey — moving from enforcing the law, to defending rights, and now to creating an open space where dialogue and advocacy can strengthen democratic institutions.

What inspired you to create the Lobby Club, and how has it evolved since its inception?

The idea for Lobby Club came from a clear need we observed in Ukraine — the lack of a professional community dedicated to advocacy and transparent government relations. For many years, lobbying in Ukraine was viewed as something shadowy, associated mainly with behind-the-scenes deals. But the reality is that effective advocacy, when done openly and ethically, is a vital part of any democratic system.

That's why we created Lobby Club as a platform for lawyers, business leaders, consultants, and academics who want to shape a new culture of advocacy in Ukraine and beyond. From the very beginning, our mission has been to build a bridge between business, society, and government. We organize closed-door meetings, dialogues with members of parliament, and international conferences that bring together stakeholders from different sectors to discuss reforms, policies, and opportunities for cooperation.

Since its inception, Lobby Club has grown into more than just a networking platform — it has become a space where ideas and practical solutions are generated. We are gradually moving toward transparent mechanisms where advocacy for businesses and civil society groups is recognized as part of the democratic process. This evolution is crucial not only for strengthening trust in government but also for Ukraine's deeper integration with European institutions.

Based on your experience, what are the most significant differences between lobbying practices in Ukraine and those in the European Union?

In Europe, lobbying is strictly regulated. For example, in Brussels there is the European Transparency Register, where all organizations and consultants working with EU institutions are listed. In Ukraine, the legal framework is still being formed. But we already see interest from both businesses and NGOs in moving toward a more legal and transparent format.

Can you share a specific example of a successful lobbying campaign you've worked on that highlights the unique challenges and opportunities in the Ukrainian context?

One example that stands out is our work with business associations on tax and regulatory reform. In Ukraine, these issues are often highly politicized and complicated by competing interests. Our role was to help associations not only formulate clear, evidence-based positions but also to present them in a way that could be heard by policymakers. We organized structured dialogues with members of parliament and relevant ministries, which ultimately led to changes that made the regulatory environment more predictable for businesses.

This campaign highlighted both the challenges and opportunities in the Ukrainian context. On the one hand, there is still skepticism about lobbying due to its historical association with non-transparent practices. On the other hand, there is growing recognition that structured advocacy is essential for building a modern economy and aligning Ukraine with European standards.

Beyond this specific case, much of our work also involves building international dialogue — connecting Ukrainian businesses and civil society groups with European institutions so they have a voice in global decision-making. And another important area is education: we run trainings and lectures to show how lobbying can be practiced ethically and transparently.

In many ways, these efforts combine my legal background with the broader goal of post-conflict reconstruction and economic development. It's about bridging legal and cultural differences, and ensuring that advocacy becomes a constructive part of Ukraine's democratic process.

How has the ongoing conflict in Ukraine impacted the lobbying landscape, and what strategies have you developed to navigate these challenges?

The main challenge is adopting a modern lobbying law that ensures transparency without creating excessive bureaucracy. Another challenge is integrating Ukrainian players into European rules of the game, so that businesses can operate freely both in Kyiv and in Brussels.

In your view, what are the key skills or qualities that make a lobbyist effective in both Ukrainian and European contexts?

I believe an effective lobbyist needs to be more than just politically aware — they need to be an excellent communicator. Lobbying is not only about politics; it's about communication. The core skills are the ability to clearly present a position, argue it with evidence, and take full responsibility for your words.

In both Ukraine and Europe, transparency is critical. When lobbying is done openly, it becomes a partnership between business and government rather than a hidden transaction. This kind of partnership benefits society as a whole because it ensures that decisions are informed by expertise while remaining accountable to the public.

Can you describe a situation where you had to balance the interests of a client with broader societal or ethical considerations? How did you approach this dilemma?

Balancing the interests of a client with broader societal or ethical considerations is one of the core responsibilities of a lobbyist. In practice, this often means looking beyond short-term advantages and ensuring that the client's position can be aligned with the long-term needs of society and the principles of transparency.

My approach is to encourage clients to frame their arguments not only in terms of their own benefits but also in terms of how their proposals contribute to fair competition, economic development, or stronger democratic institutions. When advocacy is done responsibly, it is not a zero-sum game — the business community, government, and society can all gain.

In Ukraine, this balance is especially important because we are moving away from a legacy of behind-the-scenes influence toward a more open and democratic process. For me, effective lobbying is not just defending a position but doing so in a way that builds trust and creates a foundation for sustainable change.

What do you see as the biggest opportunities for businesses and organizations looking to engage in lobbying activities in Ukraine or at the EU level in the coming years?

I see significant opportunities for businesses and organizations engaging in lobbying in both Ukraine and at the EU level in the coming years. In Ukraine, the landscape is gradually shifting toward transparency and accountability. Companies and civil society groups that adopt ethical advocacy practices can help shape policies in ways that benefit both their sector and the broader economy. Transparent lobbying creates a level playing field, reduces reliance on informal connections, and builds trust with government institutions.

At the EU level, opportunities come from engaging with well-established regulatory and decision-making processes, such as the European Transparency Register. Organizations that understand how to navigate these structures can effectively participate in shaping policies that impact cross-border trade, investment, and cooperation.

Overall, the key opportunity lies in using lobbying as a tool for constructive dialogue—aligning business and societal interests, contributing to democratic processes, and integrating Ukraine more fully into European economic and institutional frameworks.

Looking ahead, what changes or reforms do you believe are necessary to further professionalize and legitimize lobbying practices in Ukraine?

To further professionalize and legitimize lobbying in Ukraine, the most important step is adopting a clear and modern legal framework that ensures transparency without creating unnecessary bureaucracy. Such a framework would define who can engage in lobbying, how activities should be reported, and the ethical standards expected from professionals.

In addition, building a culture of ethical advocacy is essential. This includes education and training for lobbyists, businesses, and public officials so that everyone understands that lobbying is not about backroom deals, but about constructive dialogue and presenting evidence-based positions.

Finally, integrating Ukrainian practices with European standards will help businesses operate effectively both domestically and internationally, while also strengthening trust in government institutions. Professionalization is ultimately about creating a system where advocacy benefits society as a whole, ensuring that decisions are informed, transparent, and accountable.