A group of mainly Brussels-based international Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) / Networks have volunteered to act as a type of Local Advisory Group (LAG) for the European Commission. This group is open to participate with all CSOs who are active in different Western Balkan countries and/or Turkey, have a keen mission to work with these beneficiaries and are able to represent a particular sector.

The current group has CSOs representing the social sector, political foundations, environmental associations, culture, etc. There is no doubt that its diversity of views provides the European Commission with additional information and input for its programming. Moreover, the EU Steering Committee (EUSC) can advise the Commission on possible additional support sources since these CSOs also work with other donors.

The EUSC is expected to meet formally at least six times during the project but since the majority of the members are Brussels-based, numerous informal meetings will in addition take place.

Every CSO active on an international level with different donors is kindly invited to join the EUSC and to attend its meetings. All EUSC members will receive copies of the reports, assessments, and actions that TACSO produces for their comments and suggestions before they are formally adopted.

In addition, some members of the EU Programming Committee will also be invited to take part in the Project Steering Committee (PSC). This Committee consists of representatives of the LAG (one representative per LAG) and the European Commission and will meet at least twice per year to discuss the overall implementation of the project. The group will share experiences and opinions that can be used to improve the actions of TACSO. The PSC will set the main directions to be followed by the project.