Post Delivery Deep Dive on Women in Business Programme in Central Asia

Overview
Project Summary Document

TCRS 22842

Status Approved

Location

Regional

Business Sector

Financial Institutions

Notice Type

State

PSD Disclosed

11 Mar 2026

Project Description

Enquiries

Business opportunities

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TCRS 22842

Status Approved

Location

Regional

Business Sector

Financial Institutions

Notice Type

State

PSD Disclosed

11 Mar 2026

Project Description

The EBRD seeks to perform a deep dive study on at least three partner financial institutions (“PFIs”), in Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan, participating in the Central Asia Women in Business (WiB) Programme, which will seek to answer the following questions: 1. Investigate behavioural change at the PFI level, e.g., have PFI perceptions of this segment changed, what organisational (e.g., MIS update; appointed roles in charge for this segment within SME department) and product-related changes (e.g., collateral-light loans, NFS, marketing campaigns) have been implemented and have they been sustainable beyond the WiB programme. 2. Investigate the change in access to finance and quality of services for women MSMEs; 3. Investigate the outcomes for Women MSME borrowers (on business survivability, business growth, employment, innovation, etc.); 4. Investigate differentiated impact for different segments of the women MSMEs; potential identification of new segments that could present a unique opportunity for PFIs in the future.

Strategic Fit

The research study results are aimed to inform the design of the new Women in Business programme in Central Asia, and flow into the broader efforts to innovate, expand and scale-up the Women in Business programme across EBRD regions. Under this lens, the study will rigorously inform new EBRD operations under the programme.

The assignment aims to investigate the beneficial effects of the Women in Business programme in Central Asia to enhance access to finance for women. The study entails: - An in-depth analysis of the PFIs practices and behavioural changes to better serve the women entrepreneurs segment following the WiB programme. A key part of the study will also investigate the effectiveness of the FLRC component (First-Loss Risk cover) to mitigate risks for the PFI to lend to a new women segment. This will provide invaluable insights on how to use Donor resources more efficiently in the future. - A quantitative and qualitative assessment of the Women MSMEs performance under WiB. The study will investigate what are the measurable improvements in business performance, financial health, and sustainability for women-led MSMEs, as well as what are the key characteristics and needs of women borrowers across different stages of the business lifecycle and how has the effectiveness of WIB been different in each segment.

Procurement Enquiries

Any competitive selections for business opportunities relating to this project will be published on the EBRD's website: Consultancy Procurement Opportunities.

General enquiries

EBRD project enquiries not related to procurement:
Tel: +44 20 7338 7168
Email: projectenquiries@ebrd.com

Access to Information Policy (AIP)

The AIP sets out how the EBRD discloses information and consults with its stakeholders so as to promote better awareness and understanding of its strategies, policies and operations following its entry into force on 1 January 2025. Please visit the Access to Information Policy page to find out what information is available from the EBRD website.

Specific requests for information can be made using the Information Request form.

Independent Project Accountability Mechanism (IPAM)

If efforts to address environmental, social or public disclosure concerns with the Client or the Bank are unsuccessful (e.g. through the Client’s Project-level grievance mechanism or through direct engagement with Bank management), individuals and organisations may seek to address their concerns through the EBRD’s Independent Project Accountability Mechanism (IPAM).

IPAM independently reviews Project issues that are believed to have caused (or to be likely to cause) harm. The purpose of the Mechanism is: to support dialogue between Project stakeholders to resolve environmental, social and public disclosure issues; to determine whether the Bank has complied with its Environmental and Social Policy 2024 or Project-specific provisions of its Access to Information Policy; and where applicable, to address any existing non-compliance with these policies, while preventing future non-compliance by the Bank.

Please visit the Independent Project Accountability Mechanism page to find out more about IPAM and its mandate; how to submit a Request for review; or contact IPAM via email ipam@ebrd.com to get guidance and more information on IPAM and how to submit a request.

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Post Delivery Deep Dive on Women in Business Programme in Central Asia

Project Description

Enquiries

Business opportunities

General enquiries

Project Description

Procurement Enquiries

General enquiries

Access to Information Policy (AIP)

Independent Project Accountability Mechanism (IPAM)