The Centre for Regional Studies (CER) was founded in 1978 to study, research, defend and disseminate the historical, artistic, anthropological, cultural, socio-economic, scientific and landscape values of the Minho region.

Its activities are centred on Alto Minho and include the organisation of colloquia, scientific and cultural meetings and actions to raise awareness of heritage issues and environmental interventions. It publishes books and the magazine Estudos Regionais. It has run a Senior Academy since 2004.