Generating Evidence, Influencing Policy, and Promoting Inclusive Development
Introduction
TESFA Refugees with Disabilities Association recognizes that effective programmes, policies, and advocacy efforts must be based on reliable evidence and accurate information. Research and documentation are essential tools for understanding the needs, challenges, capacities, and aspirations of refugees with disabilities, enabling informed decision-making and sustainable development.
The Research & Documentation Program is dedicated to collecting, analyzing, documenting, and sharing information that supports evidence-based advocacy, programme design, policy development, fundraising, and organizational learning. By producing credible research and maintaining comprehensive documentation, TESFA contributes to improving the lives of refugees with disabilities and strengthening inclusive humanitarian and development responses.
Our research activities explore issues affecting refugees with disabilities, including education, health, livelihoods, protection, accessibility, gender equality, social inclusion, climate change, digital inclusion, and human rights. The findings help governments, humanitarian agencies, NGOs, researchers, and communities make informed decisions and develop more inclusive policies and programmes.
Background
Despite global commitments to disability inclusion, there is still limited data and research on refugees with disabilities. Many humanitarian programmes lack accurate information about the number of persons with disabilities, their living conditions, specific needs, and barriers to accessing services.
The absence of reliable evidence often results in exclusion from planning, budgeting, and policy-making. Without proper documentation, the experiences, achievements, and challenges of refugees with disabilities may remain invisible.
TESFA addresses this gap by conducting research, documenting experiences, preserving institutional knowledge, and sharing evidence with stakeholders to improve inclusive development and humanitarian action.
Why This Program Matters
Research and documentation help to:
- Identify community needs and priorities.
- Improve programme planning and implementation.
- Support evidence-based advocacy.
- Influence public policy and legislation.
- Strengthen donor confidence.
- Improve accountability and transparency.
- Preserve organizational history.
- Promote innovation and learning.
- Increase visibility of refugees with disabilities.
- Measure programme impact.
Reliable information leads to better decisions, stronger partnerships, and more effective interventions.
Vision
A future where policies, programmes, and humanitarian responses affecting refugees with disabilities are informed by accurate research, reliable data, and inclusive evidence.
Mission
To generate, manage, and disseminate high-quality research and documentation that promotes evidence-based decision-making, inclusive policies, organizational learning, and sustainable development.
Goal
To strengthen evidence generation, knowledge management, documentation, and research capacity to improve the lives of refugees with disabilities and support inclusive development.
Objectives
The Research & Documentation Program aims to:
- Conduct high-quality research on issues affecting refugees with disabilities.
- Document community experiences, success stories, and best practices.
- Maintain accurate organizational records and databases.
- Support evidence-based programme planning.
- Promote policy research and advocacy.
- Strengthen organizational learning and knowledge sharing.
- Publish research findings and reports.
- Build research capacity among staff and volunteers.
- Promote innovation and continuous improvement.
- Establish partnerships with academic and research institutions.
Our Services
TESFA provides comprehensive research and documentation services.
Community Research
Conducting studies to understand:
- Community needs.
- Living conditions.
- Disability inclusion.
- Access to services.
- Livelihood opportunities.
- Education challenges.
- Health conditions.
- Protection concerns.
Baseline, Midline and Endline Surveys
TESFA conducts surveys before, during, and after project implementation to measure:
- Programme effectiveness.
- Changes in beneficiary well-being.
- Project outcomes.
- Community impact.
- Lessons learned.
Needs Assessments
Before implementing new programmes, TESFA conducts assessments to identify:
- Priority needs.
Community capacities. - Existing services.
- Service gaps.
- Vulnerable groups.
- Resource availability.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL)
TESFA supports programme improvement by:
- Developing monitoring systems.
- Collecting performance data.
- Evaluating programme outcomes.
- Measuring impact.
- Producing evaluation reports.
- Sharing lessons learned.
Documentation of Success Stories
TESFA documents:
- Beneficiary success stories.
- Community innovations.
- Programme achievements.
- Case studies.
- Testimonials.
- Good practices.
These stories inspire communities, attract partners, and demonstrate programme impact.
Publications
TESFA prepares and publishes:
- Annual reports.
- Research reports.
- Policy briefs.
- Project reports.
- Newsletters.
- Situation analyses.
- Community profiles.
- Statistical reports.
- Information brochures.
Data Management
TESFA maintains secure and accurate databases containing:
- Membership records.
- Beneficiary information.
- Programme statistics.
- Research findings.
- Project records.
- Partner information.
- Volunteer databases.
Data is managed responsibly, respecting privacy and confidentiality.
Knowledge Management
TESFA promotes learning through:
- Digital knowledge libraries.
- Document archives.
- Resource centres.
- Best practice repositories.
- Internal learning sessions.
- Staff knowledge exchange.
Policy Research
Research areas include:
- Disability rights.
- Refugee protection.
- Inclusive education.
- Health systems.
- Livelihood opportunities.
- Gender equality.
- Climate resilience.
- Digital inclusion.
- Employment.
- Social protection.
Research findings are used to advocate for policy reforms.
Key Activities
The programme conducts:
- Community surveys.
- Household assessments.
- Focus group discussions.
- Key informant interviews.
- Data collection.
- Data analysis.
- Programme evaluations.
- Policy research.
- Documentation workshops.
- Annual reporting.
- Publication of research findings.
- Knowledge-sharing forums.
- Research conferences.
- Community consultations.
- Learning reviews.
- Database updates.
Target Beneficiaries
This programme benefits:
- Refugees with disabilities.
- TESFA members.
- Community leaders.
- Government institutions.
- Humanitarian organizations.
- NGOs.
- Universities.
- Researchers.
- Donors.
- Policy makers.
- Development partners.
Expected Outcomes
TESFA expects to achieve:
- Improved evidence-based decision-making.
- Better programme quality.
- Increased policy influence.
- Stronger organizational learning.
- Improved donor confidence.
- Better monitoring and evaluation.
- Increased visibility of refugees with disabilities.
- Stronger knowledge management systems.
- Enhanced organizational accountability.
- More effective advocacy initiatives.
Success Indicators
Success will be measured through:
Number of research studies completed.
- Number of publications produced.
- Number of assessments conducted.
- Programme evaluation reports completed.
- Policy briefs developed.
- Database accuracy.
- Number of knowledge-sharing events.
- Research partnerships established.
- Number of stakeholders using research findings.
- Improvements made based on research recommendations.
How We Implement This Program
TESFA implements the programme through:
- Community-based participatory research.
- Surveys and interviews.
- Digital data collection tools.
- Field monitoring visits.
- Collaboration with universities.
- Data analysis and reporting.
- Stakeholder consultations.
- Continuous monitoring and evaluation.
- Knowledge-sharing platforms.
Strategic Partnerships
TESFA collaborates with:
- Universities and research institutions.
- Government ministries.
- National statistical agencies.
- UN agencies.
- International NGOs.
- Local NGOs.
Disability organizations. - Think tanks.
Professional researchers. - Donor organizations.
- Community-based organizations.
Sustainability Strategy
TESFA ensures sustainability by:
- Building staff research skills.
- Establishing digital documentation systems.
- Maintaining secure databases.
- Encouraging continuous learning.
- Publishing research regularly.
- Partnering with universities.
- Promoting evidence-based organizational culture.
- Preserving institutional knowledge for future generations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why does TESFA conduct research? Research helps TESFA understand community needs, improve programmes, influence policy, and ensure that decisions are based on reliable evidence.
How is beneficiary information protected?
TESFA follows strict confidentiality and data protection practices. Personal information is collected only for legitimate purposes and handled securely.
Can universities or researchers partner with TESFA?
Yes. TESFA welcomes collaboration with universities, research institutions, students, and independent researchers on studies related to disability, refugees, and inclusive development.
Are research reports available to the public?
Many reports, policy briefs, and publications are shared with partners and may be made available through TESFA’s website, subject to confidentiality requirements.
How can I contribute to this programme?
You can volunteer as a researcher, support data collection, provide technical expertise, sponsor research projects, or partner with TESFA to conduct joint studies.
Get Involved
Research creates knowledge, and knowledge creates change. You can support this programme by:
- Partnering with TESFA on research initiatives.
- Funding research and documentation projects.
- Providing technical expertise in monitoring and evaluation.
- Supporting digital data collection systems.
- Sharing knowledge and best practices.
- Volunteering as a researcher or data analyst.
- Promoting the use of evidence in humanitarian and development work.
Together, we can generate the evidence needed to improve policies, strengthen programmes, and ensure that refugees with disabilities are represented, heard, and included in every decision that affects their lives.
Contact the Research & Documentation Program
TESFA Refugees with Disabilities Association
📧 Email: research@tesfa.com.et/documentation@tesfa.com.et
🌐 Website: www.tesfa.com.et�
“Research transforms information into action, and evidence into lasting change. Together, we are building a future where every refugee with a disability is counted, heard, and empowered.”
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