HIE assistance can be considered for any community initiative with the following characteristics:
- Community involvement: there must be a minimum level of local participation as defined in the community initiative's legal structure and method of operation.
- Community control: the legal structure should be such that decisions about land management are made primarily by local people, with appropriate advisory support.
- Development opportunity: the initiative must include activities that add value locally and create economic, social and environmental opportunities, for the resident community. These should create and support local employment and use land resources sustainably.
- Long-term viability: the initiative must demonstrate financial viability, even if this is on a non-profit distributing basis
Applicants for assistance should be legally constituted and involve locally-based organisations with the following characteristics:
- Non-profit distributing
- A mix of economic, social, cultural and environmental objectives
- High degree of voluntarism and local involvement
- Demonstrated ability to sustain long term financial viability
