Definition – An institution
is an organisation founded for a religious, educational, professional or social purpose and is typically a formal legal entity. In the context of SUMP, public authorities are the lead institutions with specific responsibilities, resources and powers to carry out planning and implementation activities.
Relevance to SUMP – A public authority takes the lead role in SUMP preparation, but should engage other institutions in plan preparation through participation and integration. In some cases, other institutions may be prepared to dedicate their own resources to SUMP development (see also governance). For example, charities/NGOs may assist with citizen participation processes and professional institutions may offer advice and technical support.
Source: Oxford Dictionaries (online)