Economically viable

• Presence of a clear and viable financial plan involving commercial viability criteria
• Strong market demand and/or prospects for expansion of the business/project
• Appropriateness and effectiveness of management structure
• Effectiveness of technology employed

Ecologically sound

• At the very least, it is environmentally benign
• Provides opportunity for (if not yet directly employing) cleaner and sustainable production systems
• Provides for a safe, healthy and favorable work environment
• Enhances, protects or rehabilitates the environment

Community or socially oriented

• Opportunities for strengthening governance, management capacity and competence of community members to engage in productive enterprises;
• Participation of locals and various sectors (women, farmers, workers, fisherfolk) in the actual project operation through sustainable gainful employment or access to capital or productive assets such as savings or capital build-up;
• Opportunities for gaining control and ownership of productive enterprises through equitable distribution and sharing of resources and earnings.