The candidates to become host city must present a dossier in which they show the relevance and the impact of the challenge they propose, public and private institutions support, a concrete emplacement to carry out the urban development, and a company or temporary consortium/Joint Venture for the development, financing, execution and management of the pilot city.

Private, public or public-private entities can lead the application to become a host city. Smart Social City organisation, together with a jury of international prestige will select the best candidate.

Once defined the host city, the new edition of the Challenge starts from that city, making an international call to universities and companies to provide proposals and solutions to the challenge raised.