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Access to markets
Methodology

The learning route programme methodology includes several steps:

• identifying the learning theme. The recent route had the objective of filling a knowledge gap regarding market access in poor rural areas
• call for proposals. PROCASUR informs many projects and organizations about the upcoming route theme and application process. IFAD projects are strongly encouraged to participate, since one of PROCASUR's objectives is to answer the needs of IFAD's technical staff.
• identifying the case studies. For the market access route PROCASUR worked in collaboration with the Grupo Chorlaví -- an international research group that focuses on projects enabling institutional and productive changes in poor rural territories in Latin America -- to identify and document market access experiences in the region
• signing a collaboration agreement. Projects and selected organizations collaborate in the learning route. Communities that participate in the analysis and visits receive compensation for the time and effort they allocate to the route
• writing information briefs. The information kit for participants includes briefs on selected case studies
• selecting participants.  Selection criteria include occupation, nationality, gender, experience and diversity. The group participating in the market access route was multinational and multidisciplinary, and this proved to be the route’s greatest strength, allowing for fruitful discussions and a stimulating learning environment. Participants are selected according to the objective of the route, their involvement in the issue and their experience. A previous route in Bolivia on microcredit was designed specifically for Colombian policy makers. A balance among the group is crucial for a successful route. There should be enough points in common to satisfy everyone’s interest in learning, but there should also be enough diversity to generate discussions. The learning route is not only a learning tool for participants but also an opportunity for communities to exchange ideas and learn from the group.
• visiting communities. Visits include three stages. For the market access route, before each visit there was a short presentation of the case and of the main issues to explore. Participants then met with producers and their leaders, and had opportunities to conduct one-on-one interviews. At the end of each day, the group met to summarize, analyse and discuss the case.
• analyzing and diagnosing. After each visit, the results of the analysis and diagnosis are written for the record. This exercise consists of detailing development aids and obstacles for each case, to generate recommendations for both the participants' group and the community.
• making a  final diagnosis of the main lessons learned
• innovation plans. A contest for the best innovation plan is launched and discussed during the route. The goal of the innovation plan contest  is to stimulate participants to think about how they can apply their learning concretely in their own communities. The winner receives a grant, and the plan is executed in collaboration with the relevant community visited during the route, which provides the services, technical assistance and information required.
• post-route activities. These include: creating a virtual learners' community to discuss how the learning is being or will be applied by the participants and to help in the development of the innovation plans; consolidating the recommendations generated by the route and disseminating them to the participating communities; disseminating to a wider audience, through the web and other means of communication, the lessons learned during the route.