ELISAN is an international non-governmental organisation set up on 28 January 2008 at the Committee of the Regions in Brussels. It has participatory status with the Council of Europe. The Elisan network is open to all European territorial communities that are experts in local social action. Its main aim is to ensure that better account is taken of the involvement of elected representatives in implementing an effective and coherent European social policy. Elisan adopts positions on strategic issues and contributes to European Commission consultations in order to defend the interests and increase the value of action taken by European territorial communities. Elisan also seeks to raise awareness of local social action in Europe, the issues involved and those actively engaged in it.