Dear Future MEP: How Bioenergy Europe Brought Bioenergy into the Heart of the EU Elections

In 2025, Bioenergy Europe proudly received the European Association Award for Digital Communication for its 'Dear Future Member of the European Parliament' campaign — a project designed to ensure bioenergy was firmly on the agenda of the newly elected European Parliament.

A Clear Message for a New Parliament

With the 2024 EU elections approaching, Bioenergy Europe launched the Dear Future Member of the European Parliament campaign to inform and influence candidates and policymakers about the essential role of bioenergy in achieving the EU’s climate and energy objectives. The campaign was built around three main calls from the 2024 Manifesto:

• Phasing out fossil fuels with a clear and actionable exit strategy;

• Boosting EU resilience through modern bioenergy solutions and the urgent modernisation of heating systems;

• Going carbon negative by supporting bio-based carbon removals.

The aim was not just to raise awareness but to empower future MEPs with clear, actionable proposals for Europe's sustainable future.

Innovative Content: Virtual Business Cards with a Twist

At the heart of the campaign were three short, engaging videos featuring members of our Policy Team delivering the messages personally — blending expertise, authenticity, and a touch of humour. These videos acted as “virtual business cards,” creating an approachable and lasting first impression with new policymakers.

Produced in-house by Bioenergy Europe’s Communications Team, the content ensured complex policy messages were accessible to wider audiences, from policymakers to the general public.

Strategic Engagement: From Op-Eds to a Social Media Blitz

Maximising visibility was key. Bioenergy Europe’s team rolled out a dynamic outreach plan that included:

• Press releases and op-eds (notably through collaborations with Brussels based and specialized media);

• Multi-channel social media dissemination across LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and X;

• Paid campaigns on LinkedIn and Meta during crucial moments like the elections in May 2024 and the arrival of the new MEPs in September 2024.
  

Through 60 organic posts, 8 promoted campaigns, and 2 major media placements, the campaign reached over 1 million impressions — including at least 6,000 professionals working directly in EU institutions — and drove more than 10,000 visits to the campaign website.

Why It Worked: Three Ingredients for Success

Three elements made the Dear Future Member of the European Parliament campaign stand out:

• Direct Engagement: Speaking directly to the new MEPs gave the messages relevance and immediacy.

• Putting a Face to the Message: Showcasing the Policy Team created authenticity and credibility.

• We had a lot of fun: Light-hearted storytelling helped break through the noise and capture attention during a crowded election season.

  
  

You can watch the campaign videos here.