# Recommendations on Lobbying for Open Government Partnership National Action Plans URL: https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/recommendations-on-lobbying-for-open-government-partnership-national-action Type: Publication or report Published: 2018-07-17 Updated: 2020-06-02 --- 17 July 2018 To many observers, lobbying appears to be a process in which well-resourced interest groups shape public policy according to their own interests in clandestine meetings with officials. This negative perception prevails for good reason: the vast majority of lobbying worldwide is unregulated. Integrity norms and public safeguards are rare – while scandal is never far away. Yet lobbying is also an age-old practice with legitimate purpose: it is a means of participation in public decision-making. Lobbying is an integral part of a healthy democracy, closely related to universal values such as freedom of speech and the right to petition of government. The regulatory challenge for governments is to prohibit unethical activity while facilitating transparent and equitable public access to policy-making. This briefing discusses: \- why tackling lobbying is a priority for Open Government Partnership (OGP) members \- trends and good practice in regulation \- existing and model commitments in national action plans ### Related publications ## [Protecting civic space in extractives governance: Towards enhanced EITI engagement on civic space](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/protecting-civic-space-in-extractives-governance) Publication • 05 October 2026 This brief evaluates the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative's (EITI) existing approach to addressing civic space challenges arising in EITI implementing countries and… ## [Ending Debt Secrecy: Recommendations to the G20 on Anti-Corruption in Sovereign Borrowing and Lending](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/ending-debt-secrecy-g20-recommendations) Publication • 04 September 2026 Recommendations to the G20 to strengthen transparency, accountability and integrity in sovereign borrowing and lending ## [Getting Political Finance Right: Preventing corruption with UNCAC CoSP Resolution 11/7](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/getting-political-finance-right) Publication • 15 May 2026 Resolution 11/7 is the world’s furthest-reaching consensus yet on preventing and combating corruption enabled by money in elections and politics. ## [High Integrity Talks: How COP31 Presidency can set a new standard for climate leadership](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/high-integrity-talks) Publication • 11 May 2026 How COP31 Presidency can set a new standard for climate leadership ## Projects - [Anti-corruption in focus: Thematic leadership for the OGP](https://www.transparency.org/en/projects/anti-corruption-focus-thematic-leadership-ogp) ![](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/Screen-Shot-2020-06-02-at-16.46.49.png?auto=compress&fit=crop&fm=webp&w=1200) [Download](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/Rec-on-Lobbying-for-OGP-action-plans-FINAL.pdf)