A branch of the Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association has opened in Odesa

On July 24, 2026, the grand opening of the Odessa chapter of the National Association of Lobbyists of Ukraine took place in Odessa. The event brought together representatives of the UNLA, the legal and academic communities, local government bodies, the business sector, international organizations, and foreign experts.

The establishment of the Odesa chapter is an important step toward building a modern culture of transparent, professional, and ethical advocacy in Ukraine. The chapter’s activities will focus on fostering constructive dialogue between the business community, government agencies, local governments, civil society, and international partners.

Vladislav Hrytsenyuk —a lobbyist, attorney, and PhD—has been appointed head of the Odesa chapter of the Ukrainian National Lobbyists Associatione (UNLA). CEO of the EXPONENTA Law Firm, a member of the National Association of Lobbyists of Ukraine, and chair of the Sports Law Committee of the Odesa Regional Bar Association.

In his opening remarks, Vladyslav Hrytseniuk emphasized that it is precisely thanks to the initiative, professional vision, and systematic work of Oleksiy Shevchuk, Chairman of the UNLA Board, that a modern institution of legal and transparent lobbying is taking shape in Ukraine.

In his speech, Vladyslav Hrytseniuk specifically highlighted the strategic importance of the Odesa region to the Ukrainian economy. He noted that, amid a full-scale war, the region is feeling the effects of Russian attacks on port infrastructure, maritime logistics, and the country’s export capabilities particularly acutely.

According to him, Ukraine today needs not only military and diplomatic solutions, but also professional representation of its economic interests in European capitals, international organizations, and business associations. During the post-war recovery period, lobbying should become an important tool for attracting investment, developing regions, and promoting Ukrainian interests at the international level.

As a representative of the professional legal and lobbying community, Vladyslav Hrytseniuk consistently advocates for clear, uniform, and predictable rules governing lobbying activities. Key components of his professional stance include adherence to the rule of law, integrity, transparency, and the prevention of undue influence on the public decision-making process.

Oleksiy Shevchuk, Chairman of the Board of the National Lobbyists Associatione, took part in the opening ceremony and highlighted the importance of lobbying for the country’s economic development, post-war reconstruction, and the mobilization of international resources. During the discussion, he also presented his vision for the development of the Ukrainian lobbying services market in the coming years and the necessary changes to legislation.

Olena Dzhaburia, Acting Chair of the Odesa Regional Bar Association, addressed the event’s participants. During the discussion, attention was focused on the new opportunities and legal risks that Ukraine’s Law “On Lobbying” presents for the legal and bar communities, as well as the role of the bar in shaping professional and ethical standards for lobbying activities.

An important part of the event was a panel discussion featuring Ukrainian and international experts.

Among the international guests were:

Sławomir Maiman — former head of the Information and Investment Agency, deputy director of the Polish Institute of Security;
Petro Voychek — analyst for the “Three Seas” initiative at the “Blue Europe” Foundation, Poland;
Dovidas Vitkauskas — advisor to the Lithuanian government and former head of the European Union project “Support for Judicial Reform in Ukraine”;
Michael Meyer is the director of Pantalex.

The Ukrainian expert community was represented by:

Serhiy Yakubovskyi — Doctor of Economics, professor at I. I. Mechnikov Odessa National University, chair of the Department of World Economy and International Economic Relations;
Trifon Antov — member of the Odesa Regional Council, president of the Odesa Chamber of Commerce and Industry;
Tamilla Afanasyeva — member of the Odesa Regional Council, head of the municipal agency “Grant Office 5T”;
Valeriy Lokaychuk — former member of the Odesa Regional Council, Honored Lawyer of Ukraine.

During the discussion, participants examined the prospects for the development of professional lobbying as a factor in economic growth and in enhancing the competitiveness of Ukrainian businesses. Particular attention was paid to the potential of lobbying to support small and medium-sized businesses in the Odesa region, promote legislative initiatives, and protect the legitimate interests of entrepreneurs.

Local government representatives discussed how local communities can use transparent mechanisms for representing their interests to attract investment, international technical assistance, and grant funding.

International experts shared insights from Poland, Lithuania, European Union countries, and Switzerland regarding the regulation of lobbying activities. In particular, they discussed the role of business associations and chambers of commerce and industry in shaping public policy, institutional safeguards against undue influence and regulatory capture, and the use of lobbying to gain privileged access to government officials.

A separate segment of the discussion focused on the importance of a transparent lobbying environment for foreign investors. Participants emphasized that clear rules governing the interaction between the government, the business community, and professional lobbyists are one of the key prerequisites for enhancing Ukraine’s investment appeal.

The opening of the Odesa chapter is intended to serve as a foundation for ongoing professional collaboration between regional businesses, local authorities, and the legal, academic, and expert communities.

The Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association continues to develop open professional platforms to establish uniform standards for lobbying activities, promote European principles of transparency, and implement lawful mechanisms for representing interests.

The opening of the branch in Odesa marked another step toward establishing a modern model of interaction between the government, business, and society in Ukraine, in which professional lobbying will serve as a tool for development, attracting investment, and protecting national economic interests.