Planning and Management Center – Bolivia
The Center for Planning and Management (CEPLAG) is a multidisciplinary center founded in 1999 thanks to the Belgian Cooperation's VLIR program. It has a multidisciplinary focus in the areas of Economics and Applied Mathematics; Social Studies; and Spatial Studies. For the past 15 years, it has received funding from SIDA for PhD training. Between 2014 and 2020, five PhDs in Habitat and Environment were trained at Uppsala University in Sweden. Since 2022, ten research centers and institutes from five faculties of the UMSS (Universidad Mayor de San Simón) have jointly developed the PhD program in Social Sciences and Humanities. The program's objective is to train ten PhDs in partnership with the University of Gothenburg in Sweden.
We are part of the project “Protection of Andean Water Recharge Zones with Nature-Based Solutions (ANDES-RECHARGE),” which aims to strengthen knowledge and capacities for sustainable water management in the valleys of Cochabamba, particularly in recharge zones. It is funded by VLIR. Participating organizations include: LHUMSS, KU Leuven, CEPLAG, and CLAS.
We are developing the project Agroecological Territories in three ecological regions in the lowlands with communities of Yuquis and Yuracares; in the valley area in the community of Apote and in the highlands with the community of Antacahua de Tapacari (INDAGAR), a project financed by the Swiss Network of International Studies School of Agricultural, Forestry and Food Sciences HAFL University of Applied Sciences of Bern.
We are part of the CT project “Territories in dispute for development alternatives: learning from Latin America”, within the framework of Horizon 2020-EU, EXCELLENT SCIENCE – Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions program.
We conduct advocacy work with the National Platform for Youth Reflection and Debate: Bolivia Construye (Bolivia Builds) arises from the recognition of the leading role of young people in building the country. To this end, we aim to strengthen youth debate technically and academically, support existing youth initiatives, and contribute to connecting young people from different circles, organizations, universities, and regions of Bolivia.
CLACSO is and has been a space for internal reflection. We have contributed to various working groups, the evaluation and selection of projects, and other activities. All our activities are aimed at fostering a research culture at UMSS and in the region. Research activities in planning and management are the main focus of CEPLAG. This research has a systemic character, considering spatial, economic, social, and environmental aspects.
CEPLAG is a center dedicated to conducting research based on scientific and technical principles, characterized by internal coherence, where the theoretical and technical foundations and the design process form a logical and consistent whole. Our research informs seminars, conferences, and undergraduate and graduate courses, providing participants with robust theoretical and methodological training for their work in organizational, consulting, and research activities in the public and private sectors. The Center deepens the interpretation of economic, spatial, political, and social phenomena, fostering ongoing critical reflection that supports research practices and action proposals through participatory research processes.
Networks:
Website: https://ceplag.umss.edu.bo/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ceplag.umss
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceplag_umss?igsh=MTJ3cGczYmxucTdudQ%3D%3D
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/?linkOrigin=LI_BADGE&shareActive=true&shareUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fceplag.umss.edu.bo
https://www.linkedin.com/school/umssboloficial/posts/?feedView=all
YouTube: CEPLAG – YouTube
