Towards the end of 1998, three organizations, EDUCA, CAMPO and CESEM convened a seminar called “Building Local Power and Autonomy”. This event initiated internal discussions within EDUCA about the general theme of Oaxacan Municipalities. That same year, EDUCA entered the network called Popular Education to Build Local Power (REPPOL).

During the same time period, EDUCA created a new institutional program which we then called, Democracy and Local Power in the Municipality with the general objective of strengthening Oaxacan municipalities. Following a period of strategic planning, in 2002, EDUCA modified its mission statement and operational programs. Our program changed its name to Self-Determination of Municipalities and Indigenous Peoples. This changed confirmed EDUCA’s preferential option to support indigenous peoples without leaving aside work with urban and mestizo peoples.

We redesigned the content and reach of our program during EDUCA’s most recent planning process in January, 2005. The program also updated its its name to Municipalities and Indigenous Peoples.