<p>Community action groups (CAGs), as non-profit civil organizations that voluntarily participate in a joint effort in the pursuit of a common goal, have been the driving force behind the development of paths, small towns and neighborhoods in recent decades. In Colombia there are about 45,000. The objective of the present study is to learn about the role of CAGs in local development. The methodology used was the case study of the CAGs of neighborhoods Evaristo Sourdis, La Unión and San Carlos (second phase), in Sabanalarga, Atlántico, Colombia. Characterized by its location, its processes and its proximity to the recent development of the oil industry in the town. The results present the characterization of the CAGs, their organizational processes, their actions towards development and its relationship with the new actors of the territory, in this case, the recent oil industry in the town. It is thus concluded that CAGs have an impact on local development processes, regardless of other actors in their territories, since their main goal is the improvement of the living conditions of the town.</p>