Professionalization of lobbying in Ukraine: from legal regulation to integrity standards

Yana Tsymbalenko,
PhD in Public Administration, Associate Professor
anti-corruption authorized by the UNLA

In the current context of legal regulation of the labor market, the profession is increasingly defined through a system of qualifications, competencies, job functions, ethical guidelines and professional responsibility. This approach is in line with the logic of the National Qualifications Framework approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 1341 of November 23, 2011, which links professional activities to measurable learning outcomes, knowledge, skills, communication, responsibility and autonomy.

The further development of this model is enshrined in the Law of Ukraine “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine on Improving the National Qualifications System in Accordance with the Actual Needs of the Labor Market” of April 15, 2025, No. 4353-IX. This law establishes the Unified Register of Qualifications – Classifier of Occupations, which is to combine the National Classifier of Ukraine DK 003:2010 “Classifier of Occupations”, the Handbook of Qualification Characteristics of Occupations of Employees and the Register of Qualifications. The procedure for creating, amending and maintaining the Unified Register was approved by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine “Some Issues of Functioning of the Unified Register of Qualifications – Classifier of Occupations” No. 1387 dated October 29, 2025.

The Unified Register should contain a professional job title and a profession code in accordance with the National Classifier DK 003:2010 “Classifier of Professions”. Its functional purpose is not to mechanically create new job titles or new occupation codes, but to provide access to reliable information on occupational requirements, qualification centers that can conduct assessments, and updates to professional standards. The transfer of the relevant functions to the National Qualifications Agency strengthens the institutional role of this body in the field of professional standards, qualifications and assessment of professional competence.

In this regulatory context, lobbying also needs to be considered as a separate professional activity with its own subject matter, functions, tools, ethical boundaries and qualification requirements. The Law of Ukraine “On Lobbying” of February 23, 2024, No. 3606-IX defines the legal framework for lobbying in Ukraine, establishes rules for transparent influence on lawmakers, and forms a regulatory framework for open, accountable and fair interaction between lobbying entities, clients, beneficiaries and lawmakers. On a broader scale, this is also in line with Ukraine’s European integration course, as it brings the national practice of representing interests closer to European approaches, where transparency of influence on public decisions, ethical communication with the authorities, and openness of procedures are important components of democratic governance. At the same time, legalized and standardized lobbying has an important anti-corruption potential, as it brings the representation of interests into the realm of open procedures, fixed rules, public accountability and fair interaction.

The development of a professional standard for lobbyists is an indicative stage in the further institutionalization of this area. The very fact of working on such a standard will indicate the gradual consolidation of lobbying as a profession that requires special knowledge and the ability to carry out analytical, communication, legal and ethical activities within the framework of certain procedures.

A professional standard is important as a personnel, qualification and institutional document, and in accordance with the Procedure for the Development, Implementation and Revision of Professional Standards, approved by Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 373 of May 31, 2017, professional standards define the requirements for the competencies of employees and can be used in the field of labor, education, training and assessment of professional qualifications. In systematic connection with the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 1387 of October 29, 2025, this enhances the importance of professional standards as a tool for officially describing professional activities, their content, qualification requirements and place in the structure of the modern labor market.

In view of this, the professional standard of a lobbyist should become an important tool for forming the professional identity of this activity. It can outline the content of the lobbyist’s job functions, requirements for their knowledge and skills, the limits of acceptable professional behavior, the principles of integrity, transparency, accountability and responsible representation of interests. In this sense, a professional standard can act as a preventive anti-corruption tool, as it forms the expected model of lobbyist behavior, defines ethical boundaries of interaction with the authorities and reduces the risks of informal, non-transparent or conflict influence on public decision-making. At the same time, such a standard can also perform a European integration function, as professionalization of lobbying will help Ukraine to develop clear, proportionate and compatible with European practices rules of interaction between private interests, civil society and public authorities.

Of particular importance is the gradual formation of a professional lobbying environment, in which qualifications, adherence to ethical guidelines and engagement in professional dialogue are important signs of the maturity of this activity. The professional community in this area also performs reputational and anti-corruption functions, as it is about shaping the honor of the profession – the realization that representation of interests should be carried out responsibly, correctly, with integrity and respect for the public interest. Professional integrity in the field of lobbying is the line that separates legitimate representation of interests from the practices of hidden influence, conflict of interest or undue pressure.

In this process, the Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association can be seen as one of the institutional and service platforms that unites professional lobbyists with an impeccable reputation, promotes the development of a professional culture, harmonization of approaches to responsible representation of interests and maintenance of reputational standards in the field of lobbying. The UNLA’s activities are focused on several key audiences: business representatives seeking to legally, transparently and professionally promote their commercial interests; lobbyists interested in confirming their professional qualifications and obtaining a certificate; and representatives of all branches of government for whom raising the level of knowledge about the legal, ethical and procedural principles of lobbying is an important condition for fair interaction with the subjects of interest representation.

Thus, the formation of a professional standard for lobbyists is an important step in establishing lobbying as a regulated professional activity. This will help to streamline the requirements for professionals in this area and develop a new culture of interest representation based on legality, professionalism, transparency, integrity, responsibility to society, preservation of the honor of the profession and gradual integration of Ukrainian lobbying practice into the European space of democratic governance. In this sense, the professionalization of lobbying is also an instrument of anti-corruption policy, as it creates clear rules for influencing public decisions and reduces the space for shady agreements.