What is the difference between a partner and an associate?

According to Guidelines for Grant Applicants 2.1.1.1.

Partners sign the Partnership statement and the Partnership Agreement, they immediately participate in the action’s implementation, they have an active role and clear responsibilities in the action. The Partner must satisfy certain eligibility criteria and the costs they incur are eligible in the same way as those incurred by the grant Beneficiary.

The associates play a real role in the action but they do not receive funding from the grant except for per diem or travel costs. Associates do not have to meet the eligibility criteria set for the Beneficiary and partners.