CEPES was created in 1976 as an institution specialized in rural development, focussed on offering its professional contribution to the task of improving the living conditions of rural women and men of Peru, with the perspective of contributing to a more democratic and just society. After more than three decades, CEPES still maintains its original objectives.
Mission: CEPES looks for the inclusion of small farmers and peasant communities (campesinos) in national processes of modernization and democratization, with a broad political commitment to fostering national development in a democratic, decentralized and equitable way.
Objectives:
CEPES overall goal is to contribute to the modernization and development of rural and agrarian society in Peru, a society where peasant communities and small farmers have a leading role.
From this perspective, CEPES contributes to the development of a national agrarian sector by seeking among others- producers' access to modern technologies, credit, markets, information and research.
CEPES also promotes the effective participation of such farmers and peasant communities in decision-making, agricultural policies, regional development and sound management of natural resources.
CEPES supports those processes that aim at institutionally strengthening national producers’ organizations, being currently part of the board of directors of CONVEAGRO –a leading producers’ organization in debating on national agrarian/agriculture development.
Activities/Main areas of work:
CEPES Main Programs are:
RURAL INSTITUTIONS STRENGTHENING PROGRAM: This program is aimed at promoting the strengthening of rural organizations and institutions that are strategic to the achievement of inclusive, modern and democratic rural development in our country. Its lines of work include: Local Governments in Rural Areas; Formalizing Property Rights of Peasant Communities and Support for Rural Producers’ Organizations.
SERBICES for PRODUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM: A program that facilitates small farmers and peasants’ communities access to resources and expertise as to improve their performance in the market. Among the lines of work are: Rural Financing and Training in Business Management
RESEARCH PROGRAM: This program prepares studies and researches intended to the promotion of the renewal, deepening and development of conceptual proposals and actions for rural development from a perspective of modernization and democratization of the Country. It edits the journal "Debate Agrario," a quarterly magazine of analysis and debate on nationally and internationally relevant agrarian-related issues.
COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION PROGRAM: This program is intended to strengthen the advocacy capacity of small farmers and peasants communities’ organizations and institutions, through information services and other means that, in turn, would allow them to be more present and influencial in policy discussion and decision-making over land and rural development issues. To achieve this goal the program counts with: a nationally and daily broadcast radio program "Tierra Fecunda" and a monthly produced journal "La Revista Agraria". Moreover, CEPES counts with a specialized documentation centre (CENDOC), which include AgroData (agricultural statistics) and Alternative Development. Finally, on a daily basis a summary of the main news of the national agro called "Notiagro" is disseminated via CEPES’ website.
Coverage:
Peru
Beneficiaries:
small farmers/producers and peasant communities
