Carsten Zwaaneveld

Senior consultant & regulatory specialist

“The future starts with a relevant story, the right audience and good timing."

Frustrated by outdated regulations, sluggish decision-making, or impenetrable political processes? Or simply looking for a way to better position your organization within the corridors of power? I am here to help.

As a Senior Consultant & Regulatory Expert at Publyon, Carsten Zwaaneveld helps companies, civil society, and governments translate strategic challenges into tangible results. Together, we make progress possible.

Expert in Lobbying, Legislation, Politics, and Transition

With over a decade of experience at the intersection of strategy, politics, and law, Carsten is the go-to expert for private and (semi-)public organizations seeking:

  • Influencing Legislative Processes: Drawing on his background as an advisor to Members of Parliament, a legislative lawyer and legislative implementation, Carsten quickly identifies the core of legislative proposals and uncovers opportunities for positive influence.
  • Navigating Complex Regulations: Most challenges require public affairs action across multiple levels of government. Carsten possesses deep knowledge of European, national, and decentralized processes, gained from his experience as a local councillor, a board member of the Holland Rijnland-region, and years of collaboration with Publyon EU. This ensures an integrated strategy that actually works.
  • Making Projects Possible: The best solutions are win-win. Carsten’s extensive experience in the political heart of The Hague, combined with their work across various sectors (energy, sustainability, tech, healthcare, education, public administration), ensure that they always find creative angles that turn a political or administrative ‘no’ into a ‘yes’.
  • Building Coalitions: In politics, you rarely win alone. Carsten identifies unexpected allies and connects your objectives to a broader political narrative. This leads to faster, more efficient results—and makes the journey inspiring and engaging along the way.

In addition to their consultancy work, Carsten is a PhD researcher at Tilburg University. This research focuses on the application of human rights during emergency measures related to climate disruption and pandemics—another complex challenge for politics and governance. Locally, Carsten is an active volunteer at the nature experience garden De Bult and is a lover of surreal and “alienating” art.

Are you ready to drive change or professionalize your lobbying strategy? Carsten Zwaaneveld connects the right message to the right person at the right time.

Curious about what this expertise can do for your organization? Please feel free to reach out via email for an initial strategic exploration.