The 10 Commandments of a Lobbyist, Ukraine's first ethical code of the profession that sets standards for transparent and responsible influence based on European and transatlantic models, was presented in the capital. The presentation took place during the opening of the Higher School of Lobbying, a new educational center of the National Association of Lobbyists of Ukraine that brings together Ukrainian, American and British experts to develop a culture of civilized lobbying.

The Higher School of Lobbying presented “10 Commandments of a Lobbyist”: a new code of ethics for the professional community

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The 10 Commandments of a Lobbyist, Ukraine’s first ethical manifesto of professional culture of influence, which sets standards for civilized lobbying in line with European and transatlantic practices, was presented in Kyiv. The initiative was presented during the opening ceremony of the Higher School of Lobbying on the platform of the Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association.

This document is intended to lay the foundation for professional ethics for a new generation of lobbyists working in the logic of transparency, responsibility and strategic cooperation between society, business and government institutions.

“Ukraine has all the prerequisites to become a center of modern, civilized lobbying. We are creating not only a training platform, but also a professional ethical system,” said Oleksiy Shevchuk, Chairman of the Board of the Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association.

A special event was the involvement of American and British lobbyists in the educational process, who will officially participate in the training of specialists in Ukraine for the first time. During the opening ceremony, the international educational program “Kyiv-Brussels-Washington” was also presented, designed to train experts capable of promoting Ukraine’s interests at the level of European and American institutions.

Liudmyla Kozhura, Professor of the Kyiv National Economic University, Doctor of Law, emphasized that transparent lobbying means analytics, facts and open communication, not shadow instruments of influence.

“A modern lobbyist works not with shadows, but with light – with facts, analytics and open communications,” she emphasized.

Iryna Shapovalova, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association, lobbyist, presented the manifesto, noting that the newly formed school of influence is based on ethics and responsibility:

“We believe that influence is not about power, but about responsibility. That is why we have created the 10 Commandments of a Lobbyist, where every word is born out of experience, and every principle is born out of the belief that integrity has the power to change the world.”

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“10 COMMANDMENTS OF A LOBBYIST” – A NEW ETHICAL CODE OF THE PROFESSION

1. The true art of influence is when no one notices that you are an artist.

2. Don’t manipulate – inspire. Influence based on integrity lasts longer than any deal.

3. Do not convince – create conditions in which conviction is born on its own.

4. Even the best idea needs the right audience.

5. Not every alliance is useful – appreciate those who are silent but do not betray.

6. A lobbyist without empathy loses the right to influence.

7. Diplomacy is the ability to say “no” so that everyone hears “yes.”

8. Compromise is not a weakness, but a strategy of the smart and the strong.

9. The best tool in the big game is to remain human.

10. Make a difference so that the world after you is a little better.

The Higher School of Lobbying, a new educational center and structural unit of the Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association, was inaugurated in the capital to form a professional lobbying environment in accordance with European and American standards. The event was held at the Hyatt Regency Kyiv and gathered more than 100 guests.

On September 1, 2025, the Law on Lobbying came into force in Ukraine, and at the same time, the National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (NAPC) launched the Transparency Register. This is an open public platform that collects and publishes data on lobbying.

Associate Professor of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute Yana Tsymbalenko emphasized that ethical standards should be a counterweight to shadow lobbying:

“Shadow lobbying is not about influence, it is about manipulation. That is why we have to oppose it with a civilized, open school of lobbying.”

Philosophy of the Higher School of Lobbying

The Higher School of Lobbying positions lobbying as intellectual diplomacy within state processes, not a tool of pressure or manipulation. It is a platform that forms a new culture of influence, where knowledge, ethics and partnership become key principles of state development.

Here they teach what:

  • Lobbying is about the art of reaching an understanding, not a conflict,
  • Every word of a lobbyist has consequences,
  • influence without responsibility loses its value.

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Why is this important for Ukraine?

  • For the first time, Ukraine is implementing a transparent lobbying model in line with international standards.
  • A new professional elite is being formed, capable of representing the interests of the state, society and business in a civilized manner.
  • The Ethics Manifesto becomes the basis for trust in the profession in Ukraine and abroad.

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The Higher School of Lobbying invites professionals, business, the public sector and international partners who share the philosophy of openness, ethics and responsible influence to cooperate.

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