A direct invitation is a form in which the provider approaches a predetermined applicant, not an unlimited circle of interested parties as with an open call. It is used when a measure, by its nature, can only be carried out by a single entity – for example a central authority, a state organisation, or the administrator of a specific piece of infrastructure – and competition would make no sense. The difference from a call is fundamental: there is no competing for the allocation, and the evaluation focuses on the quality and eligibility of the intention, not on comparison with other projects. The beneficiary, however, has the same obligations regarding procurement, publicity, indicators, and checks. For companies and municipalities, the practical consequence is that you cannot apply to a measure implemented through direct invitation – the most you can do is get involved as a supplier or as the end user of the output.
See also: Call for proposals, National project, Demand-Driven Project.
