US National Endowment for Democracy has made a new contribution to NGO Súmate for USD 107,200 for the implementation of the second stage of the program "Education for Democracy."

In a press release, the Venezuelan civil association said the program is intended to educate over 14,000 citizens in workshops intended to create awareness and bolster exercise of civil and political rights.

Súmate this year has received funds from the Canadian Embassy (USD 16,000), and German Konrad Adenauer Foundation (USD 9,300), said the NGO in a communiqué.

President Hugo Chávez' government has harshly criticized NED contributions to Súmate, and the Attorney General's Office has based on said funding to charge Súmate leaders with conspiracy.