Annual Performance Review and South-South Cooperation Event

1-6 November 2010Nanning, China

What are the Learning Routes?

A Knowledge Management and Capacity Building Tool

for a Global South

www.procasur .org / ahalpern@procasur.org

What are the Learning Routes?

….a tool created in the South,

for the South and by the South

What are the Learning Routes?

• Tool originated and validated by PROCASUR with support of IFAD and other partners that:

- Reduces learning costs of public and private investment against rural poverty

- Makes sustainable Rural Development Investment

- Enhances networking within practitioners

About PROCASUR

- Non profit NGO based in Chile with representation in Colombia, Bolivia and Uganda

- With a 15 years-experience in Knowledge Management and Capacity Building Market

- Using peer-to-peer methodologies by mobilizing grants and selling technical services

PROCASUR’S ACHIEVEMENTS THROUGH THE LEARNING ROUTES SINCE 2002

• Trained over 900 rural development practitioners benefiting indirectly more than 7200 people.

• Involved 40 different nationalities. • Operated in 25 different countries of Latin America,

Asia and Africa.• Identified and systemized more than 250 local

innovative experiences, training over 1500 trainers.• Paid directly over USD 250 000 to grassroots

organizations and others for knowledge services.• Worked as a flexible learning tool on different topics

and target groups.

Learning Routes: A KM and Capacity Building Tool

The principles of Learning Routes

Learning Routes…• …recognize that in rural areas it is possible to find

successful solutions to common problems, that can be adapted to and multiplied in other contexts

• …enable participants to acquire direct knowledge and stimulate curiosity and interest for continuous learning

• …strengthen local training and technical assistance skills, so champions become experts

• …transform knowledge through direct dialogue in the field and collective analysis

Advantages of Learning Routes

• Reduction of the intermediation between “trainers and learners” since

- They operate directly in the field, where the innovations are developed- Champions of the experiences become the trainers and are

remunerated. - Learners are able to directly interact with the champions and ask

questions they really care about.

• The demand-driven approach is constantly ensured.• They bring together different stakeholders promoting policy dialogue and

influence.• Innovation Plan is an inclusive strategy for adapting lessons to other

contexts.

Learning Highways during the APR 2010

Innovation Marketplace

A Call for Innovation ChampionsBuilding together a Learning Highway for Asia and the Pacific

What is the Innovation Marketplace?

It is a public space where demanders and suppliers of knowledge meet to negotiate the exchange of innovative and practical ideas and tools with high up-scaling potential.

Participants in the Innovation Marketplace

- Asia and the Pacific

- East and West Africa

- South and Central America

Innovation Marketplace in action

Innovation Marketplace

Innovation Marketplace in action

Innovation Marketplace

Knowledge Business Tables

Innovation Map Example

Key follow up issues 2010-2011

• Identification of themes and experience based on the discussion and outcomes of the Annual Performance Review Workshop.

• Formulation of a concept note on ‘Learning Highways through Asia Programme’.

• Validation of the concept note by stakeholders. • Identification of partners.• Design of the programme through a grant mechanism.• Piloting the Learning Routes methodology in Asia.

Thank you.