September 1, 2022ā Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. ā The AES Dominican Foundation, in partnership with The Trust for the Americas, completed the training sessions for the Project āEmpowering Innovative Entrepreneurshipā. Through this initiative and through training, 170 people created and strengthened their businesses aimed at local development in the municipalities of Boca Chica, La Caleta, and Los Mina.
For four months, the beneficiaries received training in digital and business tools, managerial and administrative skills, as well as personalized mentoring for new entrepreneurs.
Within the framework of said project, on August 29 and 31, three entrepreneurship fairs were held. In these, the participants, through a competition of Pitch, They competed for a financial incentive for the development or expansion of their businesses. During the event, the beneficiaries had the opportunity to showcase their products and services to potential customers.
Serving as judges for the event were Madelka MacCalla, Global Vice President of Stakeholders and Social Impact at AES Corporation, who visited the country to participate in the fair, Bredyg Disla, Executive Vice President of the AES Dominican Foundation; Luz Marina Correa, Project Manager at The Trust for the Americas; and executives from the National Council for the Promotion and Support of Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (Promipyme).
āWe decided to do a second phase of this initiative when we evaluated the success stories of the people who trained in 2019. Today, they tell us how they have successful business models and have served as channels to replicate what they learned. From the AES Dominicana Foundation, we have decided to continue strengthening this entrepreneurship program by taking it to other locations nationwide, for which we have also partnered with Promipyme to provide trained and pre-evaluated entrepreneurs with access to soft financing,ā stated Edwin De los Santos, President of the AES Dominicana Foundation.
In this regard, Luz Marina Correa, Project Manager at The Trust for the Americas, commented that āthe selection of the winning projects was carried out by a panel of judges representing AES Dominicana, The Trust for the Americas, and other experts in the fields of business development, who evaluated each projectās financial viability, sustainability, creativity, innovation, and the coherence of its business model.ā On this occasion, both institutions congratulated all project participants, with a special mention for the winners of the pitch.
Linda Eddleman, Executive Director of The Trust for the Americas, celebrated this event, noting that āsince 2011, we have been working with the AES Corporation to support vulnerable people in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador,Ā Panama, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. We are very pleased with the achievements weāve made over the years, and we know that together we will continue to bridge gaps in our hemisphere.ā
It is worth noting that the partnership between AES Dominicana and The Trust for the Americas has benefited 340 people, who have strengthened their businesses through training and financial incentives, while others have received support through specialized mentoring.
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About The Trust for the Americas:
The Trust for the Americas is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS). Established in 1997 to promote public-private partnerships, The Trust has implemented projects in 24 countries and has worked with more than 1,000 organizations in the region. Our initiatives seek to promote educational and economic opportunities, as well as government accountability and transparency. Our unique partnership with the OAS gives us access to decision-makers throughout the region. This vital partnership is the foundation through which we build strong networks across all member states and the private sector. Through the development of our region, The Trust continues to help overcome challenges through strategic partnerships that promote cooperation for sustainable results. www.trustfortheamericas.org
About the AES Dominicana Foundation
The AES Dominicana Foundation is an organization that works for the health of the Earth and for the well-being of its inhabitants; we focus on addressing the environmental needs, cultural, entrepreneurial and orange economy areas as essential areas to guarantee a sustainable human development. In addition to responding to national needs in emergency situations and natural disasters.
About AES Corporation:
It is a Fortune 200 global energy company. It provides affordable and sustainable energy to 15 countries through a diverse portfolio of distribution businesses, as well as thermal and renewable generation facilities.
Republica Dominicana