Pre-project analysis

The pre-project analysis is a precursor to designing a project. During the pre-project analysis phase, the stakeholders are identified, and the needs and problems of the target group in the given context are determined.

Adopting a participatory approach in baseline or feasibility studies is essential for community mapping, mobilisation, and ownership of stakeholders. A pre-project analysis brings diverse information for the project planning phase.

Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) or local groups representing the diversity of persons with disabilities, including users or participants in the (anticipated) project activities are a great asset and contribute to ensuring that an inclusion perspective is incorporated into the project from the very beginning. 

During this stage, local organisations, or informal structures of persons with disabilities may be identified to engage in all project phases. Specifically, in the pre-project analysis phase, they can contribute by bringing better information and data on the prevalence of disability and help identify needs and requirements of persons with disabilities as well as challenges they face in the project area.

The table below highlights some aspects that persons with disabilities can bring to the pre-project analysis.

Information that pre-analysis providesWhat OPDs can bring
Identification and understanding of the situation or problem.
  • Information on the legislative framework for disability in the country.
  • Knowledge of how disability is defined in the country of the project.
  • Perception of disability in the country in general.
  • Participation in baseline or feasibility studies.
  • Identifying local needs experienced by persons with disabilities.
Formulation of the project goals overview
  • Help bring a clear view of the real needs of persons with different disabilities in the project context
  • Support in planning how staff can respond if they uncover or observe abuse or illegal actions against persons with disabilities.
  • Provide engagement opportunities with groups of persons with disabilities that may be considered not to have legal capacity in the country.
Convincing arguments for justifying the initiation of a specific project
  • Contribute to knowledge on stakeholders and power analysis.
  • Share basic data, facts and compelling case studies from their area of work and personal experiences.
A basis for inclusive budgeting to meet project goals
  • Share data disaggregated by disability collected by the OPDs with project managers.
  • Point toward other disaggregated data sources in the country, such as the census.
Creating joint ownership and understanding with potential partners or target groups.
  • Participate not only to bring data and relevant information but also support in analysing the information.
  • Contribute to the sustainability of the intervention.

Supporting material