Community Empowerment Facility Profile

BACKGROUND

There are approximately 150 cases in the area of Verapaces, that can be qualified as "conflicts" on issues such as: land tenure, "milestones" (mojones), land property, double registration, several owners of the same land or property, problems caused by deforestation and loss of water recourse, ecological destruction, illegal sales of land and measurement problems.

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GOAL AND OBJECTIVES

The project foresees the creation of a legal office to respond to education needs and queries on collective and individual conflicts by the inhabitants of the communities and organizations in the area. The Union Verapacence de Organizaciones Comunales (UVOC) promotes leadership to confront negotiations and enter into the legal field - a major development - drawing upon important incidents in the region’s political, social and economic camps. It will help to broaden alliances at all levels, within different existing circles, be they governmental or popular, as well as non-governmental organizations. UVOC will establish contacts based on the Pastoral Social de las Verapaces experience, and others in the area, to achieve a methodological exchange and, if possible, effective coordination, to improve conflict resolution.

The activities promoted are:

• Strengthening negotiating capacity of communities and organization of UVOC on agrarian and social conflicts.

• Setting up of legal/juridical office to process and resolve legal cases.
  Implementing legal/juridical training for leaders to pursue the problems of the communities.

• Strengthening political, social and economic incidence.

• Building a local network.

• Taking part in the political process in the municipality/region.

• Assuring legal tenancy rights for the final beneficiaries.

• Promoting cultural indigenous identity to respect their rights

The Coordinación Nacional de Organizaciones Campesinas (CNOC) has the legal responsibility of the project, while for the coordination of NGOs and cooperatives, (CONGCOOP) will give technical support.

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WHO WILL BENEFIT?

The beneficiary organization of the project is the UVOC who represent the community population, rural organizations and grouped cooperatives.UVOC' s objective is to promote and consolidate citizen participation in decision-making, especially in the traditionally-excluded sectors, such as indigenous, women and youth. It defines itself as a coordinating unit (area) and a unity of forces of indigenous and rural communities, cooperatives, non-profit organizations, serving the population in maintaining land tenure and contributing to the construction of a new multi- cultural, ethnic and lingual nation. UVOC will commence activities with 20 communities (1200 families, 6000 members).

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CONCLUSIONS

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