VA Government and VA Communications join Rud Pedersen Group

Strategic communications agency VA Communications (otherwise known as – Vīlands Associates) and public affairs firm VA Government join the Rud Pedersen Group, becoming their exclusive partner in Latvia. The Rud Pedersen Group is the leading and fastest-growing Nordic public affairs and communications group in Europe.

 The Rud Pedersen Group has acquired a 20 percent stake in both companies, meaning that existing partners of VA Communications and VA Government still own a majority of shares. With the addition of VA Communications and VA Government, the Rud Pedersen Group strengthens their offerings in the Nordics, Europe and Latvia.

The addition of VA Communications and VA Government to the Rud Pedersen Group will drive additional growth for both companies. It will benefit both employees and clients with the transfer of new international knowledge of corporate affairs in combination with creative and marketing communications expertise. The Rud Pedersen Group has over 350 consultants and more than 70 employees in the Baltic countries alone. As a result, VA Communications and VA Government will be able to better support their clients in major European capitals such as Brussels, London, Stockholm, Berlin and Warsaw. 

 “We immediately found common ground with the Rud Pedersen Group. We share a similar internal culture and vision of the future growth of the company – based on knowledge development. The role of players on the regional level is growing rapidly, increasing the need for companies like the Rud Pedersen Group in the international professional services market. Therefore, we have chosen to go further together and build a powerful alliance that brings even more added value to our team and our clients,” says Ralfs Vīlands, Partner at VA Communications and VA Government.

 “We see that our existing and potential clients highly appreciate a contemporary public affairs and communication approach rooted in Nordic values that aligns with the current challenges faced by the clients. Hence a long-term and in-depth cooperation with the Rud Pedersen Group is a natural next phase in VA Government’s development, strengthening our position on the Latvian market and developing local public affairs industry in general,” comments Vladlens Kovaļevs, Partner at VA Government and VA Communications.

Rud Pedersen Group CEO and President Morten Rud Pedersen says: “With our strong Nordic heritage, the expansion to the Baltic is very logical and we are now happy to be in all three countries. Our clients are looking for integrated solutions, and I am very pleased that we can now provide the best offering in the region. VA Communications and VA Government are companies built by entrepreneurs who wanted to challenge the market, just like we do in Rud Pedersen.”

About VA Communications and VA Government

VA Communications is a strategic communications company specializing in building corporate reputation, marketing communications, crisis communications and other disciplines. VA Communications is an opinion leader driving development of the communication industry in Latvia. The company was founded in 2013 by Ralfs Vīlands, later joined by partners – Laima Auza, Elīna Egle, Līga Rutkovska-Pavļukeviča and Vladlens Kovaļevs. VA Communications conducts a regular public opinion measurement – “USG or Enterprises and Public Expectations.”

VA Government is the leading public affairs firm in Latvia providing government relations, advocacy campaign management and policy analysis services. VA Government represents its clients in their engagement with legislators, policymakers and regulators, as well as with the general public. The company was founded in 2017 by Vladlens Kovaļevs and Ralfs Vīlands.

The two companies together form the largest communications and public affairs group in Latvia, with a combined turnover of nearly EUR 1,9 million in 2020 and over EUR 2 million in 2021. Both companies jointly develop sustainability consulting practice VA Purpose.

About Rud Pedersen Group

The Rud Pedersen Group was founded in 2002 by Morten Rud Pedersen in Gothenburg, Sweden. Now the Rud Pedersen Group has grown into one of the largest public affairs and strategic communications consultancies in Europe with over 350 employees in 12 offices in 11 countries – Stockholm, Brussels, London, Berlin, Copenhagen, Warsaw, Oslo, Gothenburg, Helsinki, Tallinn, Vilnius and now Riga. In 2020, the Rud Pedersen Group acquired stakes  in Fabula, Lithuania’s largest communications agency. The brands Rud Pedersen Public Affairs, King Street, Welcom and RP People are all part of the Rud Pedersen Group.

VA Government Policy Outlook July

Introducing the July issue of our quarterly report on general political and policy developments in Latvia. Each quarter we select certain policy areas providing you a top-line overview of the matter. The content is specifically tailored for VA Government clients and cooperation partners.

This political outlook takes a look at the recent changes in the government composition, results of the municipality election, and recent changes in packaging policy in Latvia.

July Policy Outlook is available HERE

Introducing VA Purpose

This year has started with several news for VA Government and Vīlands Associates teams,  so we wanted to introduce you to some of them.

We see that the role of businesses is changing. Expectations towards companies are increasing.

The importance of environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles as the basis for sustainable business are becoming increasingly important among society, but especially among investors, international partners and the public sector.

All of these topics appear on our client agendas more often and their importance will only increase. Therefore we have created VA Purpose –  a new direction within our services package that we will develop to help our clients achieve their sustainability and social responsibility ambitions.

We will support companies in developing and communicating their sustainable business plans by combining professionals with different backgrounds and our knowledge of communications and government relations.

In synergy with Vilands Associates and VA Purpose we will be able to secure a wider range of corporate affairs services in three directions – reputation and marketing, government relations, as well as the purpose and business sustainability. We will continue to seek other ways to address the current and future challenges that companies you run are facing.

VA Government February Policy Outlook

Introducing the February issue of our quarterly report on general political and policy developments in Latvia.

This political outlook takes a look at the recent changes in the government composition and the allocation of the Recovery and resilience facility funding in Latvia.

Each quarter we select certain policy areas providing you a top-line overview of the matter. The content is specifically tailored for VA Government clients and cooperation partners.

February Policy Outlook is available HERE 

Update on State Budget 2021

Update on State Budget 2021 is available HERE

USG 2020 - we continue to follow expectations of Latvia's society towards businesses

We continued our annual research this year – USG 2020 – in which we assess the expectations of the Latvian population towards businesses and their approach to solving social, economic, and political issues. When Vīlands Associates and VA Government started working on “USG” last year, we wanted to start a discussion in Latvia about the role of companies in society and their activism in general.

Research in 2020 showed that Latvian society’s expectations towards companies have increased significantly over the year. A growing number of Latvians take into account environmental, social, and governance issues when choosing goods and services.

In addition to this year’s population survey, we also invited a small panel of Latvian businesses for conversation. Their views were also included in the report.

VA Government November Policy Outlook

Introducing the November issue of our quarterly report on general political and policy developments in Latvia.

This political outlook takes a look at the Three Seas Initiative which focuses on projects in the fields of energy, transport, and digitalization. Also, this month the outlook includes the key policy areas Latvia is focusing on as a part of the digital transformation.

Each quarter we select certain policy areas providing you a top-line overview of the matter. The content is specifically tailored for VA Government clients and cooperation partners.

November Policy Outlook is available HERE

Results of the Riga City Council emergency elections

See the report on Riga City Council elections HERE

VA Government July Policy Outlook

Introducing the July issue of our quarterly report on general political and policy developments in Latvia.

Key topics of the July issue include the measures implemented in Latvia to fight the COVID-19 crisis, administrative-territorial reform, and insight into the European Commission’s Farm to Fork Strategy that aims to make food systems fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly.

Each quarter we select certain policy areas providing you a top-line overview of the matter. The content is specifically tailored for VA Government clients and cooperation partners.

See the July Policy Outlook HERE

COVID-19 Review of Government Support Mechanisms

VA Government presents an updated list of support measures implemented by the government to support the businesses affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

On March 12, 2020, the government of Latvia declared a state of emergency till April 14, 2020, adopting various restrictive measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Latvia. In order to limit the damage to the national economy, on March 19, the government of Latvia adopted a special, limited-time draft law prepared by the Ministry of Finance. On March 20, it was approved in the Parliament with March 12 being the entry into force date.

Please see the full report HERE

Covid-19 | Support mechanisms for businesses in Latvia

VA Government has prepared an overview on the key support mechanisms for businesses adopted by the Latvian government in order to limit the damage to the national economy, caused by the spread of COVID-19.

On March 12, 2020, the government of Latvia declared a state of emergency till April 14, 2020, adopting various restrictive measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Latvia. On March 19, the government of Latvia adopted a special, limited-time draft law prepared by the Ministry of Finance, which was approved in the Parliament by March 20, including various support mechanisms for businesses affected by the spread of COVID-19.

See the report HERE

Latvian Public Affairs in a world of COVID

Currently, Latvia is in expedited digital transformation mode – e-commerce and delivery services are booming, telco providers are worried about sustainability of the bandwidth and the whole education system is conducting a nationwide e-learning experiment.

Our government, i.e. the Cabinet of Ministers and Saeima, is no different. Digital meetings of the Cabinet with Zoom-powered step outs to the press, who are grilling ministers from the comfort of their living rooms. This is all the new normality in less than two weeks since the announcement of the state of emergency. Taking into account more legacy and archaic nature of the parliament business, Saeima is slightly lagging behind. However, one of the constitutional cornerstones is being digitised at an enormous pace. Last week a tender for parliament’s e-platform was announced, and I am sure Latvian ICT sector will be able to provide a viable solution for our MPs – enabling digital plenary sessions of the parliament, committee hearings and behind the curtain business.

The first ever remote hearing of the Budget and Finance (Taxation) Committee

However, in this fast-paced transformation it is important not to lose the transparency aspect, which is of enormous importance, especially in these turbulent times of massive uncertainties and speculations. Civic society, media and also public affairs professionals must have the same level of access as before – ability to follow plenary sessions, debates and voting, attend committee hearings and submit positions in due course. It is clear that it will be challenging due to uneven digital skills among the stakeholders, cross-generational issues and other aspects, however, during this time when holding a meeting in person might pose health risks, there is no other choice but to adapt.

Yes, and speaking about impact on the public affairs industry. In the recent Politico article “Coronavirus forces Brussels lobbying to go digital” Brussels insiders share their perspective on how lobbying will change in a self-isolating environment. One issue they all agreed on is that willingness to talk policy will return pretty soon, and every public affairs professional in town should be prepared for that.

Be it association directors, individual lobbyists or the NGO sector, it is clear that we all will need to implement new practices and rely on a new or renewed set of digital influence skills. Already now digital policymaking and public affairs is an incremental part of the political process, and it will only increase in importance.

To adapt to new realities we, public affairs professionals, need to:

1. engage with our clients and association members to discuss and agree on new guidelines for collaboration and daily routines, e.g. monitoring services, stakeholder mappings or political strategy sessions, and reassess our stakeholder engagement strategies;
2. reach out to new business and association membership prospects to keep ourselves in the loop and demonstrate an ability to come through even in time of crisis;
3. communicate with MPs, civil servants and media in order to keep educating them on client’s industry matters and delivering value to clients and members;
4. and lastly, use this time as an opportunity to get better and stronger – improve your communication skills, specific policy area knowledge, polling methodology or anything else. This will create value for you, your clients and members when we return to business as usual – whatever that means.

Despite the unprecedented changes to our daily lives, many of us have never experienced before, the new normality will kick in. And when it happens, public affairs professionals must be ready. If you are interested in continuing the conversation, ping me at vladlens.kovalevs@vilands.lv!

Latvian Public Affairs in a world of COVID

Currently, Latvia is in expedited digital transformation mode – e-commerce and delivery services are booming, telco providers are worried about sustainability of the bandwidth and the whole education system is conducting a nationwide e-learning experiment.

Our government, i.e. the Cabinet of Ministers and Saeima, is no different. Digital meetings of the Cabinet with Zoom-powered step outs to the press, who are grilling ministers from the comfort of their living rooms. This is all the new normality in less than two weeks since the announcement of the state of emergency. Taking into account more legacy and archaic nature of the parliament business, Saeima is slightly lagging behind. However, one of the constitutional cornerstones is being digitised at an enormous pace. Last week a tender for parliament’s e-platform was announced, and I am sure Latvian ICT sector will be able to provide a viable solution for our MPs – enabling digital plenary sessions of the parliament, committee hearings and behind the curtain business.

The first ever remote hearing of the Budget and Finance (Taxation) Committee

However, in this fast-paced transformation it is important not to lose the transparency aspect, which is of enormous importance, especially in these turbulent times of massive uncertainties and speculations. Civic society, media and also public affairs professionals must have the same level of access as before – ability to follow plenary sessions, debates and voting, attend committee hearings and submit positions in due course. It is clear that it will be challenging due to uneven digital skills among the stakeholders, cross-generational issues and other aspects, however, during this time when holding a meeting in person might pose health risks, there is no other choice but to adapt.

Yes, and speaking about impact on the public affairs industry. In the recent Politico article “Coronavirus forces Brussels lobbying to go digital” Brussels insiders share their perspective on how lobbying will change in a self-isolating environment. One issue they all agreed on is that willingness to talk policy will return pretty soon, and every public affairs professional in town should be prepared for that.

Be it association directors, individual lobbyists or the NGO sector, it is clear that we all will need to implement new practices and rely on a new or renewed set of digital influence skills. Already now digital policymaking and public affairs is an incremental part of the political process, and it will only increase in importance.

To adapt to new realities we, public affairs professionals, need to:

1. engage with our clients and association members to discuss and agree on new guidelines for collaboration and daily routines, e.g. monitoring services, stakeholder mappings or political strategy sessions, and reassess our stakeholder engagement strategies;
2. reach out to new business and association membership prospects to keep ourselves in the loop and demonstrate an ability to come through even in time of crisis;
3. communicate with MPs, civil servants and media in order to keep educating them on client’s industry matters and delivering value to clients and members;
4. and lastly, use this time as an opportunity to get better and stronger – improve your communication skills, specific policy area knowledge, polling methodology or anything else. This will create value for you, your clients and members when we return to business as usual – whatever that means.

Despite the unprecedented changes to our daily lives, many of us have never experienced before, the new normality will kick in. And when it happens, public affairs professionals must be ready. If you are interested in continuing the conversation, ping me at vladlens.kovalevs@vilands.lv!

VA Government March Policy Outlook

Our team would like to introduce the VA Government March Policy Outlook – a quarterly report on general political and policy developments in Latvia.

Key topics of the March issue are the emergency elections of the Riga City Council and developments in the pharmacy industry.

Each quarter we select certain policy areas providing you a top line overview of the matter. The content is specifically tailored for VA Government clients and cooperation partners.

See the full Political Outlook HERE

VA Government Policy Outlook

Our team would like to introduce the VA Government Policy Outlook – a quarterly report on general political and policy developments in Latvia.

Each quarter we select certain policy areas providing you a top line overview of the matter. The content is specifically tailored for VA Government clients and cooperation partners.

Key topics of this issue are the State Budget of 2020 and developments in the environmental policy.

See the full Policy Outlook HERE

Keeping the challenger spirit – first year

Traditionally, company’s life cycle is perceived in four simple stages, i.e. launch, growth, maturity and decline. To the extent it is true for most of the companies out there, including professional services. Launching VA Government, a year ago, we, obviously, hoped for a successful launch and a rapid growth phase. Has it happened? Yes, absolutely. But on the road, we realized that in the industry of government relations and public affairs there is a lot of education to be done. Not only in the traditional advocacy understanding of “education”, but also explaining to society, stakeholders and corporates what we even mean by government relations, public affairs and advocacy, in general.

Our anniversary, oddly enough, corresponded with a peak of the election season in a run-off to the parliamentary election in Latvia on October 6. This election has often been regarded as, potentially, the most transforming election we have had in Latvia since restoration of our independence. We would like to believe that this supports an idea that we are in the middle of transformation of the whole political ecosystem and its various stakeholders – be it politicians, civil servants, government relations professionals and others. Political agenda and its actors are changing, and the market has to adapt.

Doing things differently, following transparency guidelines and talking about needs of the markets publicly, is the path we have chosen at VA Government. We believe that, no matter the historical background, misperceptions and myopic behavior, a way forward for the government relations and public affairs industry in Latvia, is to move towards open discussion on norms of the industry, self-governance or even responsible government regulation.

A few days after the national elections is a good moment to reflect on what has happened over the course of last years. What is clear – we, as an economy, have accelerated and reclaimed the title of the fastest growing economy in the EU. As a society, we live better than we did pre- financial crisis of 2008. But have we excelled as a civic and responsible structure? Unfortunately, not really. Despite all the warnings from other, much more mature and established societies, we have allowed anti-EU, anti-NATO and the general anti-everything agenda to show up at our doorstep. However, it is surely not too late to straighten the ship for those who believe in core values we all agreed about and represented just some time ago – Latvia as a strong and consistent member of the EU and NATO, working on increasing efficiency and transparency of its economy, judicial system and society as a whole.

VA Government as a team and a firm is in its early days, but, as previously said, we aim to combine numerous years of experience and broadness of issues we know. It is not about number of years since the launch, it is about keeping challenger’s mentality at all stages of one’s development. Being now in the phase of growth, we cannot be more thankful to the team with whom we daily run operations of VA Government, serving clients to the top of our abilities and expertise. Of course, without trust of the clients choosing us as their representatives and various cooperation partners we would not manage to be where we are now. What we know for sure – a long way is ahead of us, but already the first year shows that it will be one hell of a ride.

Report on the 13th Parliamentary election

The 13th Parliamentary election took place on October 6 and now ahead of us lies the probably the hardest coalition forming as 7 parties have been elected in the Parliament. More on the first results see the Report on the 13th Parliamentary election.

This election has often been regarded as, potentially, the most transforming election we have had in Latvia since the restoration of our independence. We would like to believe that this supports an idea that we are in the middle of transformation of the whole political ecosystem and its various stakeholders – be it politicians, civil servants, government relations professionals and others. Political agenda and its actors are changing, and the market has to adapt.

Looking for a public policy intern!

You will help to support our clients from various industries, such as finance, transport, FMCG and tech. Work in a team together with colleagues experienced in both government and public relations. Research various industries, companies, analyse their policy background and perform detailed stakeholder analysis.

We are looking for someone who is interested in socioeconomic processes and the connection between policy making and business. Self-motivated and eager to learn more about issue advocacy with strong analytical skills with attention to detail. You also have strong written and verbal proficiency in English and Latvian.

We will provide you with a professional experience in government relations, insight in various industries and understanding of policy making. You will have a chance to be part of a great team, work in the Riga city centre, have free lunch and get stipend.

Apply by sending your application and resume to best@vilands.lv till May 31.

VA Government and Sorainen discusses issue advocacy in the Baltics

On March 28 VA Government together with the law firm Sorainen in Latvia organized a second event to introduce our clients to topics regarding issue advocacy. The main topic of the event was “Government relations in Latvia and the Baltics – Tendencies, Problems and Possibilities”.During the event we discussed various aspects of the issue advocacy and public affairs, also discussing real-life examples in the Baltics.

Senior Associate of Sorainen Andris Tauriņš told more about the legal framework for regulation of advocacy and initiated a discussion on how the issue advocacy is perceived by the public.

This subject was carried on by the Managing Partner of VA Government Vladlens Kovaļevs, who spoke about advocacy in a campaign mode, introducing strategies and tactics to tackle client specific issues, emphasising that advocacy is not about “knowing a few powerful people”, but is based on strategic and comprehensive analysis and execution.

The main guest of the event was the Partner of Sorainen in Estonia Allar Jõks who shared success stories and Sorainen approach to government relations in Estonia, including the advocacy cases on sugar tax initiative, excise tax and liberalization of the waste market initiative.

The event was attended by clients from various industries and the official part was followed by an open discussion on the related topics and networking.

VA Government joins the AmCham and the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

VA Government has joined the AmCham and the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). LCCI is the largest non-governmental organisation uniting companies from all regions and sectors of Latvia which represents the interests of business in dialogue with state and regional institutions to improve the Latvian business environment.

AmCham is the leading foreign business organization in Latvia, representing over 150 members that include some of the largest international companies in the country. The priorities for AmCham is to enhance trade and investments between US and Latvia as well as improving the investment and business climate in Latvia

LCCI and AmCham are natural partners and platforms for dialogue with industry experts and decision makers for any government relations and public affairs firm – sustaining its reputation and role in the Latvian economy.

Lobbying as a civic engagement tool

On the way to a new industry it is essential to have transparent and ethical market players!

VA Government is a full-service government relations and public affairs firm which openly talks about its specialization. It is clear that de iure non-existent, but de facto operating industry over the last twenty years has been developing in the shadow.

It’s not a big secret that lobbying, lobbyists and all around the industry for the majority has acquired rather controversial reputation. “Dark side”, “devil’s advocates” and others are often used in relation to the lobbying industry. No doubt that it has long lasting routes in history of our society connected to cases of trade in influence, general corruption and violation of basic norms.

On the other hand, lobbying is an essential part of any developed economy. Same as we often refer to capital markets and financial system as a proxy for development levels of economies, lobbying industry could be used in a similar manner. As stated by M. Pagano and P. Volpin in “The Political Economy of Finance” government-business-society relationships could be described as a balance of power between social and economic parties due to several reasons:

1. Policy and legislative decisions could be considered as a response to economic incentives, not connected to ideological stances [so called realpolitik], producing economic outcomes;
2. Economic outcomes directly affect related constituencies [i.e. society and business environment], producing positive or negative attitude towards policy makers;
3. In most cases the constituencies can influence policy decisions only through means of electoral competition, implying that possible changes are slow in implementation, hence could harm interest of constituencies in a longer term.

This is the moment when lobbying is a tool to represent a specific or a broader view on policy adopted or being formed by decision makers, while supporting argument that representation of interests is necessary to influence significant decision-making process in a timely manner.

VA Government serves its clients as advisors by helping them to navigate and educate national and regional decision makers. We do it with key facts and insights to help make grounded decisions that will advance clients’ businesses and institutional development goals.

On the rise of populism, not only in the US, but also in Europe, represented by Brexit, shifts of political believes in France, Italy, the Netherlands and also Baltics, society and business will have to adopt. While lobbyists will have to come up with unconventional methods to minimise harm of populism and support rational economic agenda.