Utrecht researchers contribute to 'The Cauca Local Economic Development Project' in Colombia

As of January 2019 Dr Ralph Sprenkels (History of International Relations) and Dr Chris van der Borgh (History of International Relations) are involved with a capacity building project in Cauca, Colombia.

The Cauca Local Economic Development Project (CLED) aims at inclusive and conflict sensitive development in Cauca through linking state institutions, entrepreneurs, and local knowledge ecosystems. Maastricht School of Management (MSM) is in the lead and the researchers at Utrecht University will focus on conflict mapping and 'peace labs'.  

sustainable peace and economic development

The CLED project will promote sustainable peace and economic development by integrating entrepreneur/livelihood capacity building and peacebuilding activities in its three phases: mapping, capacity building, and incubation/roll out. The project will contribute to creating peace dividend by strengthening the education and training capacity of rural institutions active in former conflict zones. MSM and UU will work together with Colombian researchers from the universities of Medellín and Popayán. The project is financed by NUFFIC.

institutions for open societies

Dr Ralph Sprenkels is a historian, and also connected to Institutions for Open Societies - an interdisciplinary research area of Utrecht University focused on the development and expansion of healthy open societies everywhere.