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In 2006, ConocoPhillips worked with Fundefir, an organization with wide experience in developing bankomunales- small neighborhood banks in low-income areas where there are no formal financial services.

This initiative, which encourages communities to fund micro-businesses cooperatively, has created four bankomunales in the Gulf of Paria area, with almost 500 members in total (including 300 women). These bankomunales have given more than $250,000 in loans to local businesses, many of which focus on traditional handicrafts and candies, providing opportunities to promote both economic development and the Warao culture.