Join the European voice of Public Affairs
Together for transparency, ethics and responsible lobbying across Europe.
About Us
Who are we
Public Affairs Community of Europe is a European association which gathers national associations of public affairs and lobbyists across entire Europe, based on three pillars: Diversity, European outreach and High standards of ethics and transperancy.
Established in 2018 in Brussels, Belgium, as an international non-profit organisation (AISBL Association international sans but lucratif), PACE history has started in May 2011, when the Italian association Il Chiostro and the Spanish association APRI launched an unprecedented and historic initiative in Europe bringing together the representatives of all public affairs associations, which represent professional lobbyists in each one of the EU countries. During the first conference in May, the representatives of the public affairs associations/ companies of 27 EU countries shared their experiences and discussed the most important issues of their professional activity.
Our Mission
PACE is the voice of the Public Affairs community in European countries. We draw on the potential of our members and offer a platform for sharing knowledge, exchanging experiences and holding debates on developments that affect us as an industry.
The central potential of PACE is the networking and exchange of ideas among each other, which PACE promotes through annual conferences and exchange programmes: as a community, we share national experiences in the field of lobbying regulation and public affairs practice or other industry relevant topics
We provide support for the creation of national public affairs associations, in the jurisdictions where there is a potential of public affairs market.
Our Vision
As PACE, we are united by the vision of creating a platform for the cooperation of national associations for Public Affairs in Europe.
In our roles as Public Affairs professionals, we strive to contribute to political decision-making processes in a responsible and transparent manner. Our endeavor is to accompany the evolving regulatory framework for lobbying from the perspective of the Public Affairs industry with a unified voice in European countries.
United in diversity – what applies to the EU also applies to the national association of Public Affairs organizations united within PACE. Yet for PACE, Europe does not end at the borders of the EU: with members from the entire European continent, we aim to create a common framework for the European public affairs industry.
Our Values
As public affairs professionals in Europe, we are convinced that the representation of interests is an integral part of a functioning democratic system. Acting at the interface between the worlds of politics and business, Public Affairs plays a key role as transmission belt for interests to be articulated in decision-making processes. This role, however, also entails a high level of responsibility and a need for an integral and transparent behavior. For this reason, Public Affairs professionals organized in PACE understand the following basic values as the foundation for their professional activities:
Truthfulness
At the heart of PACE’s work lies a commitment to truth. Our members uphold honesty in all communications, ensuring that every argument, position, and recommendation is based on facts and accurate information. Truthfulness strengthens the credibility of the Public Affairs profession and fosters trust among policymakers, clients, and society at large.
Fairness
Fairness guides the way we engage with stakeholders and the institutions we serve. PACE advocates for equal access to decision-makers, balanced representation of diverse viewpoints, and respect for democratic principles. We believe that fair processes lead to better policy outcomes and a more resilient European democracy.
Confidentiality
Respecting confidentiality is fundamental to maintaining professional credibility. PACE members handle sensitive information with discretion, protecting the interests of clients, partners, and institutions while adhering to legal and ethical standards. This value ensures that trust, once granted, is never compromised.
Transparency
Transparency is essential to building confidence in the Public Affairs industry. PACE members operate with openness about their objectives, affiliations, and interests. By promoting clear and responsible disclosure, we contribute to a culture of accountability and help improve public understanding of how decisions are shaped.
Integrity
Integrity is the cornerstone of professional behavior within PACE. We expect our members to act consistently with ethical principles, avoiding any conduct that could undermine trust in the Public Affairs profession. Integrity means doing the right thing — even when no one is watching — and aligning actions with values at all times.
Loyalty
Loyalty reflects our dedication to the communities, organizations, and principles we represent. PACE members act in the best interests of their clients and the wider European public sphere, while remaining loyal to the shared mission of strengthening democracy through responsible advocacy.
