The project “Knowledge systems in rural areas” works on the basis of practical experience accumulated in cooperation of projects and programmes. Learning experience is gained in direct cooperation, evaluated from various projects, or developed in workshops together with practitioners. Other elements of methodology are:

• analysis and processing of learning experiences in cooperation with programmes in the field, sector networks and specialist organisations

• development of regional concepts and instruments for analysing and developing rural service delivery systems together with programme personnel

• publications,  statements and contributions to training modules

• networking of specialists, programmes and organisations

• implementation through extension, publications and training courses

• BMZ-mandated cooperation with specialist groups of national and international organisations.

The project processes the experiences to produce practical concepts, methods and instruments. These are injected into the work of the projects and programmes through the website, publications, courses, seminars and working groups. Concepts and experiences are also used to harmonise international programmes.

Basic principles of the concept

Practice has shown that to be sustainable, rural development needs to be approached systematically on several levels. This means that service delivery systems have to work at three levels:

• the political framework for an environment beneficial to rural development, especially organising and funding state, private and civil society services, as well as the legal framework (policy)

• the capacities of rural service suppliers in respect of quality, breadth of impact, demand orientation and interlinkages (supply)

• organisation of the clients in respect of formulating the demand for services and effective self-organisation (demand).

These basic principles apply to all concepts of extension, training and communication.