CHARM-EIGHT D14.1 - Roadmap for the Integration of International Strategic Academic Partners

Abstract

This roadmap aims to translate the strategic orientations defined in the CHARM-EU External Relations Strategy (D13.2, approved December 2024) into a concrete and operational framework for the integration of international strategic academic partners. While D13.2 sets out the long-term vision, priorities and guiding principles of CHARM-EU’s international engagement, Deliverable 14.1 focuses on their practical implementation. It clarifies how strategic priorities are applied in practice through defined geographical focuses, selection criteria, governance mechanisms and a structured methodological approach. The roadmap should be understood as a living and progressive document. It does not introduce a new international strategy, nor does it aim to predefine all future cooperation activities. Instead, it provides a coherent framework to ensure transparency, consistency and alignment between the analytical work carried out in WP13 and the operational actions implemented under WP14. In this context, the roadmap serves three complementary purposes: • to ensure a harmonised and objective application of the selection criteria derived from D13.2; • to justify and consolidate the portfolio of pre-selected international partners through a qualitative and documented assessment; • to establish a realistic and sustainable pathway for cooperation, considering the limited availability of dedicated CHARM-EU funding and the need for proportionate, scalable formats of collaboration. By clearly positioning Deliverable 14.1 as an implementation tool, the roadmap strengthens the credibility of CHARM-EU’s international engagement and prepares the ground for Deliverable 14.2, which will further define the framework, principles and processes governing international academic partnerships. The present roadmap specifically responds to: • O14.1, by providing a structured approach to establishing and consolidating partnerships with international academic institutions; • T14.1, through the design of a concrete roadmap translating WP13 strategic outcomes into operational actions; • while preparing the ground for T14.2, which will further formalise international partnerships through a dedicated framework and associated instruments. In this sense, Deliverable 14.1 focuses on how strategic partnerships are identified, justified and operationalised, while Deliverable 14.2 will focus on how they are formalised and governed.