competent regional, local, urban and other public authorities, including:

1. (i)

   regional authorities, national representatives of local authorities and local authorities representing the largest cities and urban areas, whose competences are related to the planned use of F2the ESI Funds contributing to the programme F2support for rural development and support under Regulation 508/2014 and support under Regulation 508/2014;

2. (ii)

   national or regional representatives of higher educational institutions, education, training and advisory services providers and research centres, in view of the planned use of F2the ESI Funds contributing to the programme F2support for rural development and support under Regulation 508/2014;

3. (iii)

   other public authorities responsible for the application of horizontal principles referred to in Articles 4 to 8 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013, in view of the planned use of F2the ESI Funds contributing to the programme F2support for rural development and support under Regulation 508/2014, and in particular the bodies for the promotion of equal treatment established in accordance with Directive 2000/43/EC, Directive 2004/113/EC and Directive 2006/54/EC;

4. (iv)

   other bodies organised at national, regional or local level and authorities representing the areas where integrated territorial investments and local development strategies funded by the programme are carried out;

economic and social partners, including:

1. (i)

   nationally or regionally recognised social partners’ organisations, in particular general cross-industry organisations and sectoral organisations whose sectors are related to the planned use of F2the ESI Funds contributing to the programme F2support for rural development and support under Regulation 508/2014;

2. (ii)

   national or regional chambers of commerce and business associations representing the general interest of industries or branches, with a view to ensuring balanced representation of large, medium-sized, small and microenterprises, together with representatives of the social economy;

3. (iii)

   other similar bodies organised at national or regional level;

bodies representing civil society, such as environmental partners, non-governmental organisations, and bodies responsible for promoting social inclusion, gender equality and non-discrimination, including:

1. (i)

   bodies working in the areas related to the planned use of F2the ESI Funds contributing to the programme F2support for rural development and support under Regulation 508/2014 and to the application of horizontal principles, referred to in Articles 4 to 8 of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 based on their representativeness, and taking into account geographic and thematic coverage, management capacity, expertise and innovative approaches;

2. (ii)

   bodies representing the local action groups referred to in Article 34(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013;

3. (iii)

   other organisations or groups which are significantly affected or likely to be significantly affected by the implementation of F3the ESI Funds F3support for rural development; in particular, groups considered to be at risk of discrimination and social exclusion.