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            [post_date] => 2025-07-11 13:54:15
            [post_date_gmt] => 2025-07-11 10:54:15
            [post_content] => 
Baikal Communications Group has launched its third expert study of the government relations (GR) industry. For the first time, the focus is on the perspectives of CEOs, presidents, and other top executives regarding business-government communications.
The project is being implemented in collaboration with a team of sociologists. The study has already received support from the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP) and the Center for Eurasian Cooperation (CEC), which have invited their member companies to take the survey.
The primary goal of the study is to identify the key expectations of company leadership regarding the GR function, to document trends in the profession’s development, and to assess the degree of GR integration into corporate strategic management.
Baikal Communications Group previously conducted studies in 2021 and 2024, which marked the first attempts at a systematic analysis of GR and lobbying in Russia through collaboration with practicing professionals. Over 250 experts from the corporate sector, business associations, and consulting firms shared their views. These data formed the basis for describing working models, objectives, tools, and the specific characteristics of GR and lobbying in Russia.
The first study (2021) focused on the internal structure of the GR function and the profile of GR professionals. It recorded approaches to building GR teams, channels of interaction with the state, recruitment methods, and performance evaluation tools. The second study (2024) reflected the impact of geopolitical changes, the rise in regulatory risks, and the growing need for legal regulation of GR and lobbying. It also revealed the demand for specialized educational programs and outlined the specifics of business–government interaction via external consultants.
In 2025, Baikal Communications Group is turning its attention to how GR and lobbying are perceived by top executives. The survey examines:


 	
the structure and level of formalization of the GR function;
 	
the priorities company leadership assigns to GR departments;
 	
the extent of CEO involvement in GR activities;
 	
the role of external consultants in addressing GR and lobbying challenges;
 	
effectiveness criteria and approaches to strategic planning in GR;
 	
company plans for developing the function in the coming years, and much more.

Studying the views of top management is especially important: decisions made at the top level determine the priorities of government interaction, resource allocation, and the long-term strategy of GR activity. This study aims to contribute to the formation of GR standards, the development of dialogue between business and government, and the strengthening of the profession’s institutional framework in Russia.
The study’s results will be published in leading business media outlets and presented at the annual Corporate GR Forum in December 2025.
To participate in the survey, please fill out the questionnaire. You may also opt for an in-person interview or provide an expert comment for the analytical report. For any questions, including interview participation, please contact us at msk@b-c-g.ru.
More information on the results of previous GR industry studies is available at the following link.
            [post_title] => The Third GR Industry Study Has Been Launched
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            [post_date] => 2025-07-07 13:27:59
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            [post_content] => Eduard Voytenko, CEO of Baikal Communications Group and PhD in Political Science, conducted a one-day master class on government relations (GR) and lobbying at Ural Federal University (UrFU) as part of an executive education program focused on effective engagement with government institutions.

Baikal Communications Group continues to expand its involvement in educational initiatives. Similar events involving the company were previously held at universities in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

The master class took place on June 27–29, 2025, and was organized in collaboration with the Institute of Economics and Management at UrFU and the Sverdlovsk Regional Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (SOPPP). The event was hosted at UrFU’s Novokoltsovsky Campus.

The educational program brought together top executives from Russian companies operating in sectors such as food service, construction, packaging, mining, hospitality, robotics, wholesale and retail trade, information technology, and integrated land development, among others.

During the master class, Eduard Voytenko delivered a comprehensive presentation covering both the theoretical foundations of GR and lobbying and the practical aspects of engaging with public authorities.

The speaker provided a detailed explanation of key concepts used by professionals in the field, as well as internal and external GR and lobbying tools. Internal tools discussed included regulatory and socio-political monitoring, stakeholder mapping, regulatory risk analysis, legal expertise, and the development of GR strategies. As for external tools, emphasis was placed on interaction with executive and legislative authorities, the Presidential Administration, business associations, industry-specific unions, and expert communities. All theoretical points were supported with real-world case studies.

The program also included dedicated sessions on the roles and responsibilities of GR professionals, who today serve not only as business representatives but also as mediators between the corporate sector and the state. In conclusion, the speaker addressed key issues related to the legal regulation of GR and lobbying in Russia.

Baikal Communications Group remains committed to supporting the development of the professional GR community and advancing educational initiatives that contribute to the training of qualified experts in the field of government relations and lobbying.
            [post_title] => Educational Event on Government Relations Held in Yekaterinburg
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            [post_author] => 6
            [post_date] => 2025-04-30 18:19:44
            [post_date_gmt] => 2025-04-30 15:19:44
            [post_content] => 28–29 April, 2025 the final round of the second GR & Lobbying Case Championship was held in person at MGIMO University. The event was organized by Baikal Communications Group in partnership with the MGIMO Law Club. This remains the first case competition in Government Relations (GR) and lobbying in Russia and the CIS.

The championship served as a unique platform for students from leading Russian universities who are interested in the interaction between business, non-profit organizations, and government authorities. Participants progressed from analyzing legislative initiatives to presenting full-scale advocacy strategies on behalf of a hypothetical client.

A total of 116 teams registered for the competition, with 224 participants at the starting stage. Students from 26 cities across Russia took part, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Pushkin, Kaliningrad, Kirov, Vladimir, Tula, Oryol, Pskov, Nizhny Novgorod, Samara, Volgograd, Rostov-on-Don, Saratov, Nalchik, Makhachkala, Cheboksary, Chelyabinsk, Yekaterinburg, Omsk, Barnaul, Tyumen, Surgut, Kyzyl, Khabarovsk, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, and others.

Participating universities included: MGIMO University, Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU), National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE – Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod campuses), Kutafin Moscow State Law University (MSAL), Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA – Moscow, Altai, Vladimir, and regional campuses), Moscow City University (MCU), Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT), Russian State University for the Humanities (RSUH), the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN), National Research University MPEI, Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas, St. Petersburg State University (SPbU), St. Petersburg State University of Economics, ITMO University, Pushkin Leningrad State University, Tula State University, Pskov State University, Vyatka State University, Volgograd State University, Samara State University, Saratov State Law Academy, Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, Kabardino-Balkarian State University, Dagestan State University, Orel State University, Chuvash State Pedagogical University, Dostoevsky Omsk State University, Tuvan State University, South Ural State University, Tyumen State University, Surgut State University, Ural State Law University, Sakhalin State University, Eastern European University, and Pacific National University.

Before the in-person stage, a qualifying round was held, in which teams analyzed the regulatory framework of a specific sector. Fifteen teams advanced to the semifinals.

In the semifinal round, participants acted as GR consultants and were tasked with:

 	
Assessing the risks embedded in a draft law identified in the qualifying round;
 	
Analyzing the socio-political context surrounding the initiative;
 	
Developing a stakeholder map;
 	
Preparing a risk mitigation plan that incorporated both analytical and communication tools of GR and lobbying.



Participants presented their findings to a jury panel acting as potential clients, tasked with selecting an optimal government engagement strategy.

In the final round, the selected teams conducted stakeholder negotiations with representatives of government bodies. Each team was required to:

 	
Formulate a well-reasoned company position;
 	
Adapt arguments to align with specific public officials;
 	
Propose alternative regulatory solutions that considered both business interests and government priorities.



The final stage offered a realistic simulation of GR practice: participants had to balance the interests of a hypothetical client with the need to find common ground in dialogue with the state.

Team presentations were evaluated by a distinguished jury panel, which included Eduard Voytenko and Valery Afanasyev, representing Baikal Communications Group.

Based on the results, the following teams received top honors for their analytical rigor, strategic thinking, and persuasive argumentation:

 	
1st Place – “Shadow Advisors” (MSU).
 	
2nd Place – “Crew” (MGIMO).
 	
3rd Place – “Publicans” (HSE & MSAL).



The winning teams were awarded diplomas and offered internships at Baikal Communications Group.

The championship enabled students to apply GR and lobbying tools to a real-world case scenario and confirmed the growing interest in this field among future professionals.

Baikal Communications Group remains committed to its mission of developing the professional GR and lobbying community and supporting educational initiatives that help prepare the next generation of experts.
            [post_title] => The Second GR&Lobbying Case Championship Concludes
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            [post_author] => 6
            [post_date] => 2025-04-28 10:31:47
            [post_date_gmt] => 2025-04-28 07:31:47
            [post_content] => On April 23, 2025, students enrolled in the Government Relations (GR) Master’s Program and members of the GR Student Club at the Faculty of Law, Lomonosov Moscow State University, met with Eduard Voytenko, Ph.D. in Political Science and CEO of Baikal Communications Group.

During the meeting, Eduard Voytenko spoke about contemporary models of lobbying regulation, highlighting the importance of self-regulation through the development of codes of ethics and professional associations for government relations specialists. He emphasized that the evolution of the GR and lobbying sector in Russia should be driven by the gradual establishment of professional standards and the enhancement of educational programs for future practitioners.

Particular attention was given to the GR and lobbying tools employed by Baikal Communications Group to advocate for the interests of businesses and non-profit organizations within governmental bodies. Students gained valuable insights into the nuances of building sustainable and long-term relationships with the State Duma, the Government of the Russian Federation, key federal executive agencies, and regional authorities. Voytenko illustrated the application of GR and lobbying instruments with case studies involving the successful representation of both Russian and international companies.

The discussion also covered career development opportunities within the GR and lobbying fields, the competencies required for professional success, and the growth prospects of the GR and lobbying services market in Russia. Special emphasis was placed on the role of specialized education and the importance of direct engagement between students and industry practitioners.

Baikal Communications Group remains committed to supporting initiatives aimed at fostering the professional GR community and advancing educational programs that contribute to the development of the next generation of experts.
            [post_title] => Eduard Voytenko’s Guest Lecture for MSU Students
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            [post_date] => 2025-04-15 14:47:33
            [post_date_gmt] => 2025-04-15 11:47:33
            [post_content] => 7-12 April, 2025 MGIMO completed the 15th round of the advanced training program “GR and lobbying in Business and Nonprofit Sector”, implemented by Baikal Communications Group in cooperation with the MGIMO School of Business and International Proficiency.

The purpose of the program is to master and improve the activities of professional specialists in presenting and promoting the interests of business and NGOs in government bodies at the federal and regional levels, as well as in the supranational and international space.

The course program consists of disciplines dedicated to various aspects of GR and lobbying activities: building communication between businesses and government authorities (regional, federal, international, and supranational levels) amid geopolitical uncertainty; GR’s role in sustainable development and M&A transactions; cooperation with business and industry associations, think tanks and academic institutions, state corporations and development institutions; and interaction with the Subcommission of the Government Commission for Monitoring Foreign Investment in the Russian Federation. The core part of the program includes training in the ethics and regulation of GR and lobbying, internal and external GR and lobbying tools such as personal contacts, insider information, stakeholder mapping, GR and lobbying strategies, written communications with government bodies, monitoring and analyzing the regulatory environment, assessing regulatory risks and opportunities, legal and sectoral analysis of draft laws and other regulations, PR tools, event management, and more.

24 experts spoke during the course, including:

 	
Denis Abdrahmanov – Director of the Center for Legal Initiatives, Agency for Strategic Initiatives
 	
Lyubov Aksenova – GR Director, EkoNiva Group
 	
Irina Arkhipova – Professor at HSE, Director of Corporate Relations and Sustainability, Kraft Heinz (Russia)
 	
Dmitry Ashin – Head of Regulatory Initiatives, Yandex.Taxi
 	
Eduard Voytenko – PhD in Political Science, Associate Professor at MGIMO, CEO, Baikal Communications Group
 	
Kirill Dozmarov – Associate Partner, Baikal Communications Group; Expert, Center for Economic and Legal Expertise (MSU)
 	
Anton Yeropkin – Director of Government Relations in Russia and the CIS, Olam Russia
 	
Anastasia Ivanova – GR Director, Gaskar Group
 	
Roman Kletskikh – GR Director, NAUMEN; Chairman of RUSSOFT
 	
Dmitry Kononov – Head of GR, PJSC VimpelCom; State Councillor of the Russian Federation, 3rd class
 	
Dmitry Krokhmalev – Director of Government and Regional Relations, JSC Mashinostroenie (Rosatom)
 	
Alexander Likhanov – CEO, National Champions Association
 	
Andrey Lyan – Director of Government Relations, Cargill Russia
 	
Anastasia Maletina – Government Relations Lead, VkusVill
 	
Alexander Moskovkin – Head of the Law Department, Rossiyskaya Gazeta
 	
Evgenia Ovchinnikova – Head of Foreign Trade Support, BIOCAD
 	
Dmitry Polikanov – PhD in Political Science, Deputy Head, Rossotrudnichestvo
 	
Nikita Ryblenkov – Deputy CEO, Novostal-M LLC
 	
Nikita Smirnov – PhD in Political Science, Associate Professor, Director of Government Relations, Krasny Oktyabr
 	
Gleb Sukhanov – PhD in Economics, Head of Government Relations, PJSC T Plus
 	
Irina Fedorova – Vice President of Government Relations, Baltika Breweries
 	
Anastasia Tsvetkova – CEO, Lake Baikal Foundation
 	
Artyom Yulegin – Head of Business Advocacy, Department of Entrepreneurship Development, Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC)
 	
Representative of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation

The speakers shared their GR expertise from various sectors of the economy and NGOs: agriculture and food industry, FMCG, e-commerce and telecom, IT, unmanned aviation systems, high-tech domestic companies, pharmaceuticals, retail, metallurgy and mining, companies with state participation, and natural monopolies (e.g., energy and utilities), environmental NGOs, and more. Special focus was given to GR strategies for mitigating political and regulatory risks under sanctions regimes.

During the six days of interactive sessions and master classes, participants explored the principles and functions of lobbying, its tools and methods, and GR practices in foreign and Russian B2G communications under sanctions and countersanctions, using real-life examples from different industries. The course also covered specifics of GR communications between NGOs and government bodies. A distinctive feature of the 15th edition was the inclusion of master classes on evaluating the economic efficiency of a company's GR department and developing GR and lobbying strategies to address specific regulatory challenges in various industries.

Participants included representatives from organizations such as: Gazprom Neft PJSC, Gazprom Export LLC, KNGK-INPZ LLC (Ilsky Refinery), East Mining Company LLC, Polyus Management Company LLC, Steel Construction Development Association, Uzum Market (Uzbekistan), O2O Holding LLC, Expomobility LLC, MTS PJSC, ITMS JSC, Siglo de Oro Cigar Factory, AgroTerra Group, EkoNiva-APK Holding LLC, Port Alliance JSC, FESCO (DVMP PJSC), Petrochemical Transport Company LLC, Saint-Gobain Construction Products Rus LLC, Aero Disk LLC, Coldiz LLC, ACADEMIA Boutique Hotels, ADV LLC, Prosveshchenie Publishing House JSC, StandUp Innovations LLC, Alnilam LLC, Polyus Charitable Foundation, Office of the Microfinance Ombudsman (Kazakhstan), National Association of Healthcare Managers, Eurasian Economic Commission, and others.

At the end of the program, 32 participants received MGIMO state standard certificates of advanced training.

Registration is open for the 16th cohort, which is scheduled for October 13-18, 2025. The course duration is 6 days (60 academic hours).
            [post_title] => 15th graduate course «GR and lobbying in business and nonprofit sector»
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