Introducing electricity in the indigenous community of Macareo, Orinoco Delta of Venezuela

Planners, facilitators and development agencies are facing many problems in introducing a new technology in indigenous communities. In this paper is presented a proposed framework for minimizing such problems. It considers social, ecological, economic and traditional aspects of the specific context studied. In addition to these considerations, community participation based on identification of local needs and selection of the appropriate technology, environmental impact assessment and community training (education) have also been fundamental tools used for achieving the success of the project. This framework has been used in the Macareo indigenous community of the Orinoco Delta, Venezuela, where electricity has been introduced as a facility to solve proper needs.