So you need to know where you are now before mapping out where you would like to be. 

Starting with situation analysis and needs assessment helps you develop a good understanding of the issue you want to tackle, what you bring to the situation, and what might be the best course of action. 

There are many SWOT -Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats- frameworks out there and you and your organisation may already have one. If that’s the case, we simply encourage you to review and update it keeping in mind that you are aiming at implementing a positive youth development programme.

The following elements are based on the SANA template compiled by the research team with the help of the whole consortium from January to June 2023. For you to understand the situation and needs in your country and context, please answer every question in the template. Both quantitative and qualitative (discursive) responses are welcomed. You can provide more information, for instance, about factors supporting or hindering the implementation of the Icehearts Europe programme in the General Comments section.

This template has been used by pilot partners in 5 countries and resulted to be very efficient. That’s the reason why we are offering it as a tool for you. It shall be used to identify what kind of support vulnerable children are provided at present in your country and local context as well as what kind of support Icehearts Europe will offer.  In helping you identify the gap between the current status and desired outcomes, the exercise will assist in planning the implementation of the Icehearts Europe activities.  

Key messages:

• Conducting the SANA is a pre-requisite to start any implementation.
• The Icehearts Europe SANA Template has been developed and tailored so that:
  • The Situation Analysis (SA) helps you get a clearer picture of the local conditions and structures related to the implementation of the programme, so that pilot sites can become more aware of their circumstances in terms of the implementation.
  • The Needs Assessment section (NA) focuses more on programme implementation-related aspects, such as mentor recruitment, team sport opportunities available, related facilities and resources available. 
• We recommend that you discuss the topics of the questionnaire with all relevant stakeholders, if possible. You are free to use any reliable methods in answering the questions, e.g., you can organise focus groups or workshops, Microsoft Teams meetings or use other methods to obtain the data needed to answer the SANA questionnaire. 

Learnings and tips from the pilot experience

• Specific and significant time must be allocated to the SANA. 
• Pilot partners had 4 months to complete it. This seems to be the bear minimum. 
• You may use the first two months to fill in the ‘Situation Analysis’ section, and afterwards two further months to complete the ‘Needs assessment’ section. While obviously connected, these two sections investigate slightly different aspects.  

The Situational Analysis and Needs Assessment (SANA) process was described by all implementing partners as ‘unknown territory’, ‘a challenge, but also an opportunity’ as it provided “a 360° view of he situation and local conditions around them”.

Resources to go deeper and topic materials:

Name of the material	Why it matters / What you will find
Icehearts Europe SANA Report 🔗	WHAT – In this document the Icehearts Europe project partners report their findings as they prepare to pilot the Icehearts Finland approach in Spain, Italy, Estonia, Slovenia and Denmark. The report showcase opportunities and barriers ti implement the Icehearts Europe model in these settings.
Icehearts Europe Situation Analysis Questionnaire Template 🔗	WHAT – the editable Word version of the Icehearts Europe Situation Anlaysis questionnaire.
Icehearts Europe Needs Assessment Questionnaire Template 🔗	WHAT – the editable Word version of the Icehearts Europe Needs Assessment questionnaire.