Candidate initiatives should be realized through collaboration among at least 3 different organizations active in the following areas: social, economics, public and private, institutions, science and technology. The Parties of the initiatives should name one as Lead Applicant.

The Lead Applicant should belong to one of the following categories:

• Governments (including bilateral aid agencies), local authorities/bodies, public agencies and their associations;
• Inter-governmental organizations and international agencies;
• Civil society organizations or networks (NGOs, associations, public or private foundations);
• Business community (SMEs, large enterprises, micro/social enterprises and their associations);
• Research and academic bodies;
• Public-private partnerships.