The EU-Mercosur Domestic Advisory Group (DAG)

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has maintained longstanding relations with civil society organisations from the Mercosur countries, both through bilateral contacts and through cooperation with the Mercosur Economic and Social Consultative Forum (FCES). These exchanges have contributed over the years to strengthening dialogue between organised civil society in the European Union and Mercosur and to promoting the participation of economic and social stakeholders in the bi-regional partnership.

A new framework for this cooperation was established with the provisional application of the EU-Mercosur interim Trade Agreement (iTA) as of 1 May 2026. The Agreement, which is the result of more than two decades of negotiations, establishes dedicated mechanisms for transparency, stakeholder participation and civil society oversight, including Domestic Advisory Groups and a Civil Society Forum. The EU-Mercosur Domestic Advisory Group was therefore established immediately upon the Agreement's provisional application, enabling organised civil society to contribute from the outset to the monitoring and implementation of the Agreement.

The EU-Mercosur Domestic Advisory Group (EU DAG) is the body through which organised civil society from the European Union provides views and recommendations on the implementation of the Agreement. In accordance with the Agreement, the EU and Mercosur shall each designate a Domestic Advisory Group to advise the respective Parties on issues covered by the Agreement. The DAGs will contribute in particular to the monitoring of the implementation of the Agreement, beyond its provisions related strictly to Trade and Sustainable Development, and will participate in the dialogue mechanisms established under the Agreement, notably the Civil Society Forum.

The EU DAG will meet at least twice a year and will maintain regular exchanges with its counterpart on the Mercosur side. These exchanges will enable representatives of organised civil society from both regions to discuss the implementation of the Agreement, identify emerging issues and formulate recommendations addressed to the Parties. The EU DAG will also contribute to the preparations and activities of the Civil Society Forum established under the Agreement.

The EU DAG brings together representatives of European employers, trade unions and civil society organisations. Its membership comprises representatives of 24 business organisations, 8 trade union organisations and 10 civil society organisations, reflecting the diverse interests and expertise of organised civil society in the European Union. Through its work, the EU DAG will contribute to ensuring that the implementation of the EU-Mercosur Agreement remains transparent, inclusive and responsive to the concerns and expectations of stakeholders on both sides of the Atlantic.