NDI provides practical assistance to civic and political leadership to advance democratic culture, values and is interested in developing the capacity of the partner NGOs to expand their activities through Study Circle. The Study Circle method is a well-known concept for identifying and discussing issues of public concern and bringing community people together in public dialogue on local problems and national issues. Based on experiences from the pilot phase, NDI intends to develop capacity of the partner NGOs to organize citizens to create public opinion through Study Circle discussion on the issues that concern the public. A Steering Committee is formed to provide local input and oversight to the project, and develop its capacity over the project period to monitor, evaluate and make suggestions or recommendations on operational aspects of the Study Circle project. In addition, the Steering Committee is also responsible for long range strategic planning and efforts to mobilize funds and other resources, and gives suggestions and recommendations to NDI. The committee is also assisting in developing the Bangladesh Study Circles Resource Center (BSCRC) and help collect resource materials, books and publications, and prioritizes the issue of Study Circle discussion.