Mission of the liaison offices

EPLOs are responsible for the local implementation of institutional communication activities, with the ultimate goal of enhancing people’s awareness of the impact of the European Parliament on their daily lives and promote their engagement in the European democratic process.

The Offices engage with citizens and stakeholders, manage contacts with national, regional and local media, and provide support to Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in the exercise of their official mandates in the Member States.

Engaging with citizens

EPLOs engage with the local population and increase awareness about what the European Parliament is, what it does and what it stands for, as well as on the impact its deliberations have on citizens’ daily life.

They do this by:

• Building, growing and animating a network of interested citizens;
• Running communication campaigns, including events and exhibitions;
• Promoting debate about topical issues addressed at EU level, within the context of encouraging participation in European parliamentary democracy;
• Communicating about the role of the European Parliament and replying to requests for information.

Engaging with stakeholders and multipliers

Stakeholders include national, regional and local authorities, civil society groups, networks, associations, teachers, schools, universities, think tanks, and sectorial organisations, EU bodies, etc. EPLOs develop and nurture relationships with strategic stakeholders.

They do this by:

• Promoting debates on European legislation and on the legislative work of Members;
• Ensuring stakeholders receive targeted information about areas of specific concern to them;
• Working with teachers and academic organisations and providing educational resources;
• Involving and supporting them in activities related to the promotion of the EU values and democracy
• Engaging with national, regional and local authorities in the Member States.

Engaging with media

EPLOs proactively bring EU news, debates and decisions to national, regional, local and specialised media.

They do this by:

• Assisting journalists in their work and making them aware of the impact of European issues;
• Organising seminars for journalists, and inviting them to cover the European Parliament’s activities;
• Creating media opportunities for MEPs in national, regional, local and specialised media;
• Monitoring inaccuracies and misleading news about the European Parliament, and setting the record straight.

Other tasks

• Providing support to visits by MEPs having an institutional role and to official parliamentary delegations and missions;
• Cooperating with the Commission Representations and the Europe Direct Information Centres.