Venezuelan communal councils
In April 2006 the Government of Venezuela passed The Law of Communal Councils (consejos comunales) which empowers local citizens to form neighbourhood-based elected councils that initiate and oversee local policies and projects towards community development. Many Communal Councils became colectivos after they were armed by the Venezuelan government.[1]
Present situation[edit]
Eight months after the law was passed, over 16,000 councils had already formed throughout the country.[8] 12,000 of them had received funding for community projects – $1 billion total, out of a national budget of $53 billion.[9] The councils had established nearly 300 communal banks, which have received $70 million for micro-loans.[10]
As of March 2007 19,500 councils were registered.[11] The law of Communal Councils was last reaffirmed and updated in November 2009.