The panel will explore the role of interest groups in processes of governance and explore factors affecting the ability of interest groups to play an active role and exert influence on policy discussions and decision making. While the conventional wisdom is that civil society and the groups that make it up in Eastern Europe are generally weak, much of the research evidence for this concerns membership size and density of groups and associations. When studies examine relations between interest groups and policy actors a more nuanced picture emerges.

The extent and character of interest group activity may be influenced, among other factors, by the particular policy area, the character of policy networks or communities within given policy areas, the party and ideological profile of governments, and the influence of EU institutions in the given policy area.

The Proposed objectives of the panel are:

- to examine the role of interest groups in different countries in the region

- to identify successful examples of interest group influence within the process of governance

- to explore what factors influence the success or failure of interest groups to influence policy makers.