The intervention logic developed in the draft proposals and/or in the impact assessment provides a starting point for the strategy map with impact pathways. The strategy map is a more harmonised and, in some cases, a somewhat more detailed approach to the intervention logic.
Limit the strategy map with impact pathways to 3 to 5 (vertical) pathways showing the key linkages between resources and actions, outcomes, and impacts at the partnership level, based on (expected/proven) causal links. This may sometimes require simplifications, but the aim is to allow non-experts to quickly understand the key impacts and how they will be achieved.
Attach impacts in a direct and causal way to a limited number of the strategic objectives.
These high-level strategic objectives should be directly linked to the macro-level objectives, which corresponds to the ones that have already been established such as the EU policy priorities and SDGs, as well as objectives in the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan, in line with the partnership SRIA, and stated objectives in the MoU (co-programmed) or basic act (institutionalised).
Keep connections limited and straightforward (no need to connect everything with everything, only the material interactions).
Use short, action-oriented language (“improve”, “reduce”, “grow”, “create”, etc.) in the different levels of the impact pathway.
Make sure that the elements on the strategy map connect to the table of partnership specific KPIs.
