Consult EDGE

7/21/2019 Consult EDGE

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About EDGE ConsultingEDGE is an independent consulting, training and research organization and is based in Dhaka,Bangladesh. We thrive to provide research, management and market based solutions for developmentprojects, NGO`s, INGO`s, private and public sector to fight against poverty and for economic growth forthe people of the countries facing the need for good governance, economic and social change.

EDGE excels at designing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating and communicating market base. Itsspecialization is in market systems approach for development in low and middle-income economies also referred to as making markets work for the poor (M4P) ,is also has an edge in providing strategiesfor sustainable development.

Edge follows market development approach which is based on the premise that better private andpublic sector business services, and an improved enabling environment lead to more competitiveenterprises, which in turn leads to sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction. Edge follows thefollowing principles:

CAUSES RATHER THAN SYMPTOMS: A focus on causes rather than symptoms of

underperformance in market systems. EDGE works to address underlying systemic constraintsrather than directly delivering services. In other words, meaningful action to address theposition of the poor means we must understand and act to change the world (the systems)around the poor, rather than only working with them directly.

FACILITATOR: While implementation EDGE takes the role of a facilitator/cofacilitator. Lasting,systemic change requires that important market functions are performed by market playerswith the capacity and incentives to undertake those roles in the long term. EDGE aims tostimulate private and public sector players to innovate, adopt or adapt new business models.

INDIRECT AS MUCH AS DIRECT IMPACT: While intervention often involves working with specificplayers, the purpose is to stimulate others in the system to crowd in other activity andtherefore achieve greater change.

SUSTAINABILITY: EDGE always has an emphasis on sustainability. The market developmentapproach recognizes that the process through which market system constraints are identifiedand addressed is as important as the solution itself. If the system, its functions and players, canbe equipped to meet future challenges and continue to meet the changing needs of the poorthen impact is sustained, rather than short-lived or dependent on further injections of aid.

LARGE-SCALE IMPACT: EDGE gives emphasis on large-scale impact. The market developmentapproach explicitly aims to reach large numbers of poor by harnessing the dynamism of themarket system. It does this by alleviating the systemic constraints that restrict equitableparticipation and better terms of access to all those who engage with the system.

Recent Portfolio of EDGE Consulting

DetailsName of the project Maize Market Development

project

Name of the development organization(i.e. donors, donor funded projects, development organization, state agency or others)

Swisscontact-Katalyst

Current status (open, closed/approved/awaiting approval) OpenProject Budget Tk.5,18,63,796.00

Name of the Project Vegetable market Sub

facilitation


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Current status (open, closed/approved/awaiting approval) OpenProject Budget Tk. 2,97,31,416.00Name of the project Labour Market Information

System in Bangladesh

Name of the development organization

(i.e. donors, donor funded projects, development organization, state agency or others)

Swisscontact-SKILLFUL project

Current status (open, closed/approved/awaiting approval) ClosedProject Budget Tk.13,16,744.00Name of the project Prawn Market Subfacilitation



Current status (open, closed/approved/awaiting approval) OpenProject Budget Tk. 13,329,888.00

Name of the project Market appraisal for the

identification of potential

partner MFIs and other financial

service providers under CSISA-

MI project in Bangladesh.


iDE Bangladesh

Current status (open, closed/approved/awaiting approval) closedProject Budget Tk. 220,000.00

Name of the project Summer Maize Market

Development



Current status (open, closed/approved/awaiting approval) openProject Budget Tk. 25,082,200.00Name of the project FAO-UNIDO Project

Development

Name of the development organization

(i.e. donors, donor funded projects, development organization, state agency or others)

FAO-Mongolia

Current status (open, closed/approved/awaiting approval) OpenProject Budget Tk. 421,000.00Name of the project Market impact assessment for

Dairy hub model implemented

by PRAN-Tetra Pak


UNIDO-SIDA

Current status (open, closed/approved/awaiting approval) OpenProject Budget Tk. 988,450.00Name of the project FEDEC Project Evaluation


IFAD

Current status (open, closed/approved/awaiting approval) closedProject Budget Tk. 780,000.00


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Organization Profile

WHO WE ARE

EDGE is an independent consulting, training and research organization and is based in Dhaka,Bangladesh. We thrive to provide research, management and market based solutions for developmentprojects, NGO`s, INGO`s, private and public sector to fight against poverty and for economic growth for

the people of the countries facing the need for good governance, economic and social change.

We excel at designing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating and communicating market base. Ourspecialization is in market systems approach for development in low and middle-income economies also referred to as making markets work for the poor (M4P) ,we also have an edge in providingstrategies for sustainable development. In all our work we seek to tie a strong operational perspectivewith knowledge of the development context and a commitment to wider development objectives.

Our goal is to change the way that development is done. We have particular expertise in sectordevelopment, financial services, SME development, and the policy environment.

OUR MISSION

To enable the poor in emerging markets improve their quality oflife, by delivering innovative, market based, high value, and endto end solutions through our partners.As a company, we hold three core commitments: 1) to ourcustomers' success and satisfaction, 2) to employee opportunities,

and 3) to the long-term prosperity of the firm. We strive toachieve sustainable growth and strong business results so thatwe can fulfill all three of these core commitments.We thrive to combine the following key factors:

o Understanding the Pulse, Language and Need ofprivate sector

o In-depth understanding of development drivers andconstraints at both macro and micro levels

- Research and Study- Project Design and Strategy

Development- Project Management

-Project Monitoring andEvaluation

- Market developmentfacilitation

- Training and capacitydevelopment

- Management Consultancy


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o Creative yet practical innovation delivered in a timely, flexible, and responsive mannero Lead project management teams that combine the best available international and local

talentso Producing results that meet, and usually exceed the high expectations of our clients

Backed by comprehensive, sure-footed project management systems and on-the-ground presence, ourtechnical specialists reach freely across EDGE's practices to deploy these basic strengths and bring all ourrelevant resources to bear on solving problems for our clients.

OUR PRINCIPLES OF ENGAGEMENT

Focused and Selective:Market Development through Private Sector Integration is our core expertise.We focus our strength on economic development of the poor through addressing the constraints of theprivate sector. Fostering Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and creating Equality for Disadvantaged,Underprivileged and Marginalized population falls underthe market development framework.Targeted: We target projects, which may benefit from

our strength and expertise. While designing orimplementing any programs we make use of ourexperiences and learning.Innovative: We encourage innovation, test newapproaches, and work with partners from private sectorsto learn from their experiences and also acquire success,by working collaboratively.In Partnership: We work systematically to makedevelopment partnership more effective. We work withprivate sector, local institutions, NGOs and localgovernments. We also work with partners in the

international development community, combining the best available skills and knowledge to formulatenew and innovative solutions.Sustainable: We design and manage programs and projects and ensure quality, impact andsustainability. We facilitate partners to exercise their ownership and leadership, which in turn willcontribute, to benefit themselves as well as the target population.

OUR SERVICES

We are private sector; we work with private sector and we work for private sector. Strong orientationand understanding on private sector pulse have bestowed us with unique strength and confidence insocio-economic development field to impart our expertise in sustainable market development. Hence,we provide appropriate and effective solutions to both private sector and development clients.

According to the principle, we are focused on our core competency areas such as value chain basedmarket development, small and medium enterprise development, gender and corporate socialresponsibility to address development issues along with providing consultancy support to private sectorclients to their specific needs in different areas such as export, marketing, product positioning,production planning, supply chain management etc. EDGE also has a few own developed models andtraining module built on local context in the areas of BDS Market Development, Value Chain

Value Chain analysis

Market Analysis

Scoping study

Service Market assessment

Partnership analysis and strategy

development

B2B linkage analysis.

Gender in business analysis


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Development, Entrepreneurship, Contract Farming, Rural Marketing, Public-Private Partnership and B2BPartnership.

Research and Study:

Edge conducts custom research for clients. To find out actual condition of a fact or find out constraints,possible solution and opportunities or to understand any market, research and study is a precondition.Our research and study is to find out what our client wants to know and we have records of successfullyconducting research and study. Our research expertise ranges from scoping study to strategyformulation for project implementation including value chain analysis, service market assessment, etc.

Project Design and strategy development:

Core team members of edge have long experience in designing projects and developing strategy formany national and international NGOs, UN agencies and donor agencies at home and abroad. Type ofprojects include fish, vegetables, maize, market development under Katalyst project in Bangladesh, Agri-input project design for CNFA funded by USAID in Bangladesh, agriculture based value chain programdesign for Plan International in South Sudan, livelihood development program design for returnees andinternally displaced persons (IDPs) in Afghanistan for UNHCR, cross-country agricultural value chain

based program design for ILO in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran etc.

Project Management

Each of the core team members of EDGE has long experience in managing large and complex projects ofdiversified nature. Our specialization lies in managing market development projects, value chaindevelopment projects, livelihood projects, technology promotion projects, community development,rural market access creation, women empowerment etc.

Project Monitoring and Evaluation

Edge specializes in project monitoring and evaluation studies, which gives project the right directions toachieve the targets and show the results. We develop tools for monitoring and evaluation and conductmonitoring and evaluation of projects that gives the right information and direction for projects. Ourproject monitoring and evaluation services include Impact Assessment, Case Studies and ProjectEvaluation.


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Training and capacity development:

Edge specializes in capacity building trainings, workshops and seminars. Our training includes:

Enterprise Development:Small Medium Enterprises are the engine of the growth of our country though they lackefficiency and effectiveness. Edge presents them training on business idea generation, businessplanning, marketing tools development, business management, and financial management andmarket linkage so that they can overcome their constraints and grab opportunities. Theirincreased efficiency and effectiveness make them more competitive in the market in asustainable way.

Capacity development of NGOs:

NGOs in Bangladesh are typically trained and specialized in the fields of micro credit or directservices. Their understanding of commercial systems of the markets and sustainability is limited.However, increasingly NGOs are becoming conscious of their momentary presence in a sectorand hence they would like to understand the dynamics of the markets and market systemsbetter. Edge conducts training, workshops and seminars for the NGOs to build their capacities in

understanding market systems, design and implement market-oriented interventions. Edge isspecialized in training for NGOs on BDS marketdevelopment, making markets work for poor, ruralmarketing, corporate-NGO partnership.

Capacity Building of Associations:Edge works closelywith different trade Association and develops theircapacity to carry the sector forward by providingadvocacy and lobbying services to the members.Associations are the real market facilitators who canlead and foster the growth of any sector even without outside intervention or project support.

Hence, edge collaborates with Associations (existing) or creates new Associations andstrengthens their capacity so that they can generate new ideas and implement their ideas forthe betterment of their members and for their respective sectors. Edge has specialization in

forming/ empowering rural producerorganizations/association.

BDS Market Development

Making Markets Work for Poor(M4P)

Rural Marketing

Corporate-NGO partnership


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Dhaka Office

3rdFloor, House 430, Road 30

DOHS, Mohakhali, Dhaka

Barisal OfficeSara MohalKhaledabad Colony RoadAlekanda, Bangla BazarBarisal

Chittagong Hill Tracts Representative

Diptimoy ChakmaBusiness Consultant , EDGEKhagrachari

Rangpur

House no.-40/1

Road no.-2, RK Road, Dhap Rangpur-5400

Mymensingh

House#309/20, Level-3 (Unit-4B)

Sugondha Residential Area

Maskanda, Mymensingh-2200

http://edge.com.bd/


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Previous ExperienceDevelopment Client Areas supported/provided consultancy

Swisscontact Katalyst Maize Market Development project under Katalyst phase-III

Swisscontact-SkillFUL Feasibility Study on Labour Market Information system for Blue collar

job seekers in Bangladesh

CARE Bangladesh Value Chain Analysis, IGA Assessment, Entrepreneurship Training,

Value Chain Analysis and Program Design Training, Linkage with

Private Sector, Rural Distribution

IDE Bangladesh Sub-sector study, Business Development Service (BDS) Assessment,

Impact Assessment and Case studies

GTZ Project Evaluation, Publishing booklet on Value Chain Development

AFE Value Chain assessment, Support Market Assessment

ACDI/VOCA Value Chain Selection and Assessment

Save the Children USA Sector Assessment

CIMMYT Value Chain Assessment

World Fish Center Market Assessment

Asroi-SDC Market-Based Program Strategy Development

VSO Bangladesh Value chain study, Gender Mainstreaming in Economic Activities

Plan International, South Sudan Value Chain based Program Development

Women for Women International, South

Sudan

Value Chain Based Program Development, Private Sector Linkage,

Business Plan Development

World Vision Afghanistan Value Chain Assessment and Program Design

Small and Micro Enterprise Promotion

Services (SMEPS), Yemen

Value Chain Assessment and Program Design

UN-ILO Cross-country value chain assessment of five agricultural subsector in

Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran; Livelihood assessment of

Returnees/IDPs in Afghanistan; Designing a Local Economic

Development Project in Ghor province of Afghanistan

DfID/SuNMaP, Nigeria Market Assessment of anti-malarial drugs and diagnostic tools


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Oxfam-GB, Bangladesh Value chain expertise support to M&E of REECALL project

PIND Foundation, Nigeria Management consultancy

Swisscontact Labour Market information System feasibility study for blue collar Job

seekers in Bangladesh

iDE Access to Finance Value chain analysis for iDE, CSISA-MI

Project Implementation Client Markets involved

Katalyst Maize value chain study in Barisal, Chittagong and Mymensingh as

part of the ongoing 2 year Maize market Development project of

Katalyst.

Katalyst Vegetable Market Development Project Subfacilaition for 2 years

Katalyst Gender Focused Homestead Prawn Production in the South. A 2 year

sub facilitation project

Katalyst Promotion of Summer Maize in Bangladesh. 2 year Subfaclitation

project

Private Sector Client Areas supported/provided consultancy

Superior Footwear Company Limited

(export oriented footwear company based

in Dhaka EPZ)

Production Planning, Export Linkage, Marketing, Compliance and

Certifications

Unimart Trade International (export

oriented agro processing company)

Contract farming, Production Planning, Buyer Linkage

CAF Fusion Marketing and Promotion

CEAF Bangladesh, Venture Capital Firm Feasibility study of potential clients

Consult EDGE

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