On February 14–15, 2025, the first group of participants completed training as part of the GR Laboratory organized by Baikal Communications Group and the Eurasian Cooperation Center.

The GR Laboratory is a new educational project. It consists of two-day intensive courses where participants acquire and refine skills in advocating and promoting interests within federal and regional governmental bodies, as well as in the international arena.

The academic supervisor of this new educational program is Eduard Voytenko, PhD in Political Science, CEO of Baikal Communications Group and Edward’s East Strategies.

Featured speakers at the GR Laboratory included specialists from Russian and international companies in the real sector of the economy, as well as representatives from governmental bodies:

  • Eduard Voytenko – Candidate of Political Sciences, Associate Professor at MGIMO, CEO of Baikal Communications Group and Edward’s East Strategies.
  • Yana Kotukhova – Candidate of Medical Sciences, Director for Government Relations and External Communications in the EAEU countries, Servier.
  • Alsu Hakimova – Candidate of Legal Sciences, Head of the Expert and Analytical Department of the Central Committee of the “United Russia” Party.
  • Nikita Smirnov – Candidate of Political Sciences, Associate Professor, Director for Interaction with Government Authorities, AO “Krascvetmet.”
  • A representative from the Department for Business Development of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC).

The intensive program included the following topics:

  • Tools for promoting business interests within governmental bodies during geopolitical turbulence.
  • Peculiarities of communication with federal, regional, and supranational (EEC) authorities.
  • Regulatory impact assessment and other methods of engagement with government authorities.
  • A system for evaluating the economic effectiveness of a company’s GR unit.
  • Interactive case studies from various industries.
  • Personal professional experiences of experts from both business and government, among others.

Participants in the first cohort of the educational program represented the following companies: SNF Vostok LLC, Boiron, Nordgold, AO “IL DE BOTÉ,” LLC Naos Vostok (Bioderma), Ascensia Diabetes Care LLC, ITE Expo, Pfizer, and others.

To find out the date of the next GR Laboratory cohort, follow updates on the company’s website and Telegram channel.

Back to news