Bringing the sector together was identified as the first step. A working group comprising of FHR, Mott Foundation, the Netherlands Institute for Southern Africa (Niza) and ICJ-Sweden was formed to initiate this process.  The key role-players that were invited to form part of this initiative, which was subsequently referred to as the National Steering Committee of Community Based Paralegals and Advice Offices in South Africa, were the National Community based Paralegal Association (NCBPA), Black Sash Trust, Karoo Centre for Human Rights (KCHR), Social Change Assistance Trust (SCAT), and the Community Law and Rural Development Centre (CLRDC).  Ithembalabantu Community Resource Centres, Upper Karoo Advice and Development Agency, and the Association of University Legal Aid Institutions later joined the group. 

Although it was recognised that not all role-players in the sector were involved, it was felt that these stakeholders represented a significant portion of the sector, around 80%, particularly given the participation by those with a national presence like the NCBPA. 

In addition to addressing issues of sustainability, the steering committee also identified a need to address the fragmentation of the sector, as a united sector would stand a better chance of convincing decision-makers about its cause.   

It was agreed that a process of consultation with other stakeholders would be initiated, particularly with paralegals and advice office workers, on how best to tackle these challenges. During the course of last year, eight meetings were held in eight of the country’s nine provinces. The intention was to use the findings from these consultations to inform a way forward for the steering committee and guide how it should prioritise its activities. 

In parallel to the national consultation process, research was commissioned under the leadership of the University of the Northwest, to investigate the size and scope of the sector.  The research was completed during the first half of 2007, and provides an important reference point for the sector. Further funding is being sought to carry out more extensive research with the objective of producing a more in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the sector. 

In February 2007, the steering committee was formally re-named the National Alliance for the Development of Community Advice Offices.