The programme supports indigenous people in the Municipality of Antonio Diaz, in Delta Amacuro state, where 80 per cent of the population is Warao. About half of the Warao in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela live in this area, which is one of the country’s poorest.

The aim of the programme is to establish a process of territorial development that reinforces cultural identity while protecting and expanding the rights of indigenous peoples and their capabilities for self-governance. Initially the programme will take a direct targeting approach to ensure that the most vulnerable communities are included. But the strategy will move towards increasing use of self-targeting as the capacities of the communities grow. Activities are based on participation at all levels, from the steering committee to indigenous communal councils and extended families that will organize and implement their own development initiatives.

The main goal is to build the capacity of indigenous communal councils, with the objective of enabling them to make sustainable improvements in living conditions in their communities and lay the foundation for an autonomous development process.

The programme will work to strengthen Warao communal councils and it will support a community investment fund that is responsive to local demand. It will implement an integrated approach to technical and organizational services. The approach calls for direct services at the level of extended families and specific communities, and for training and education options designed to build community leadership and technical capacity.


Source: IFAD