EA Consultants was founded out of a deeply held commitment to improving the wellbeing and livelihood of the world’s poor. Today the world’s collective prosperity, technology and medical advances are unmatched by any period in history. However, a large segment of the world’s population continues to be excluded from this progress, lacking the access to finance, markets, and social protection that could allow them to step out of poverty and fulfill their potential. To tackle these complex issues, EA Consultants draws upon the vast knowledge and expertise of a diverse team of advisors. They provide innovate consulting services and research to governments, privately-held firms, non-profit organizations and international institutions. EA Consultants’ team of forward thinking professionals is adaptive to the market’s changing needs. Their clients value their analysis and recommendations because they are pragmatic, sustainable and economically viable.
THEIR WORK
Access to Finance
Microfinance institutions throughout the world are benefitting from unprecedented recognition and access to capital. This, in turn, has allowed the sector to provide millions of the world’s microentrepreneurs with credit and other financial services. EA Consultants’ work considers the competitive needs of the sector, with a strong emphasis in providing value to clients. They are a recognized leader of innovation in the industry, offering a broad range of services including: Research and project incubation; Strategic planning; Data mining and analysis; Client learning strategies; Credit risk methodologies; Product development and costing; Asset and liability management; and Financial planning and restructuring.
Gender and Development
Women contribute significantly to the livelihoods of their families. However, they often lack sufficient access to financial tools, training and social protection mechanisms that take into account their particular needs. Although microfinance has provided millions of women with access to working capital, women-owned business are still smaller and slower growing than male-owned businesses. Their programs take gender differences into account, to ensure that solutions can be most effective. As a women-owned firm, they are particularly aware of the integral role that women have in international development. They recognize that any development solution, both in its focus and in its design, must take into account complex gender issues.
Public Policy and Research
EA Consultants believes that there are critical links between research, learning and action. Before implementing a new program or policy, it is important to have a comprehensive understanding of the current market and of all the positive and negative effects that the strategy may produce. Their approach incorporates academic and programmatic research. They ensure that quantitative and qualitative information about clients is incorporated in their work to give clients a “voice” in the process. By recognizing gaps in the market, they can create appropriate solutions to address those areas of critical need. Their research is markedly independent and objective.
Social Protection and Microinsurance
Low- and middle-income countries often lack the resources to provide their citizens with sufficient safety nets and social protection services to protect them from the devastating effects of external shocks. In the absence of these public programs, microinsurance can help the poor mitigate risk. Yet, microinsurance is not just about ‘small policies.’ It involves tailoring products and processes to a new, low-income target while taking into account the demands of the market. EA Consultants recognizes that innovation in this field does not only emanate to the private sector. Whether through social security, microinsurance or other programs, governments play an important role in helping to mitigate the risk of vulnerable populations. EA Consultants provides advisory and research services to insurance companies, donor agencies, governments, networks and private organizations to develop sustainable microinsurance and social protection strategies.
