Information on terminology and results chain

The planning of IKI programmes is based on the results chain as defined by the OECD. This assumes that the activities carried out by a programme create products, goods, services or sets of regulations/ standards and potentially resulting changes that are termed outputs (specific programme goals) in the IKI. These, in turn, are the prerequisite for achieving the outcome (overarching programme goal). The outcome describes a change at the level of the target groups that has been made possible by the programme and can verifiably be attributed to it. The impact (long-term result) of an IKI programme is the contribution made to climate protection in form of the mitigation of emissions, adaptation to the impacts of climate change, or the conservation of biological diversity.

The following diagram depicts the results chain, drawing on OECD terminology. The blue, curved arrows represent the hypotheses that link the various levels. These hypotheses are assumptions as to how and under what conditions activities contribute to the outputs and these, in turn, to the outcome, which then, respectively, unfolds its long-term impact. The hypotheses made in the course of the results chain should be realistic from the beginning and should be checked at regular intervals during the IKI programme to ensure that they are correct. As depicted in the diagram the outputs and the outcome have to be specified by indicators.

Impact (long-term result)

Long-term results (impacts) are expected effects, which cannot be traced back solely to the programme, but are owed also to external causes (e.g. decisions on a higher political level or activities by other donors). The term is based on the intervention logic of the OECD. Against the background of the goals of the IKI, this impact relates to climate protection in form of emissions reduction or adaptation to climate change, and to the conservation of biological diversity. Given the causal chain from programme activities to impacts is very long, there is generally no requirement to quantify this impact and equip it with indicators.

Outcome (overarching programme goal)

The actual goal of the programme, i.e. the intended changes related to mitigation of climate change, adaptation and conservation of biological diversity that can be directly causally attributed to the programme. In any case this also comprises the process of change that intermediaries and target groups go through when they make use of the outputs.

Outputs (specific programme goals)

Products, goods, services and sets of regulations/standards, as well as their use by the partners and target group, which have arisen as a result of programme activities.

Activities

All of the actions carried out as part of an IKI programme with the aid of the committed fund

Implementation partners

Implementation partners are organisations, political institutions or companies that directly and in a coordinated manner contribute to achieving the overarching programme goal and specific goals (outcome and outputs). Institutions can be both political partners and implementation partners at the same time.

Political partners

Political partners are supporters of the programme, who ensure that it is mainstreamed in the target country or region. Institutions can be both political partners and implementation partners at the same time.