THE FEDERATION OF HOUSING COOPS IN URUGUAY (FUCVAM)

The first three coops in Uruguay emerged in the interior of the country in 1966. Just four years later, in May 1970, an umbrella organization called the Federacíon Uruguay de Cooperativas de Viviendas por Ayuda Mutua (FUCVAM) was formed.

FUCVAM is a nationally based federation of over 300 housing coops. One of its main purposes is to provide centralized services to members. These services include

• Arranging contracts with other institutions (e.g. emergency medical insurance)
• Legal and accounting services
• A prefabrication plant
• A technical department
• A training centre
• A vacation resort
• Student residences
• Departments for infant and youth development
• A department for sports and recreation

Beyond the provision of decent, affordable housing, FUCVAM recognizes that each of its member coops has different needs and objectives. Assistance, then, is tailored to what each cooperative is striving to accomplish for its members. From time to time FUCVAM also organizes 'Solidarity Sundays' during which hundreds of coop members descend on the site of a new coop to help with construction.

FUCVAM maintains relationships with many other organizations such as government departments, labour unions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), other kinds of cooperatives, and popular movements at both the national and international levels.