Universities and other tertiary institutions and their associations are eligible for institutional membership. While it is the aim to have the highest level of the university engaged to facilitate multi-sectoral activities across departments and schools, the Initiative also invites institutional membership at the “highest possible” level (for example, department, school or faculty).

To become an institutional member, the institution needs to have a proven commitment to the principles and a profile targeted towards Sustainable Urban Development. The institution needs to commit through not only adhering to the Initiative principles but also through formalizing this adherence through an Exchange of Letters or, under exceptional circumstances, a Memorandum of Understanding. Institutional members are subject to a review process and may distinguish themselves through their work and commitment towards the goals of the Initiative.

Institutional membership is achieved through institutional commitment as described in the below diagram, the mentioned documents found under “Guidelines”