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July 28, 2021 – San Juan, Puerto Rico – AES Puerto Rico, in partnership with The Trust for the Americas, implemented the “Empowering Innovative Entrepreneurship” Project. Through this initiative and a series of training sessions, 96 people strengthened their businesses and microenterprises. Over the course of four months, the participants received training in digital and business tools, managerial and administrative skills, as well as personalized mentoring for new entrepreneurs. The sessions were conducted virtually. Regarding the initiative, Jesús Bolinaga, Market Business Leader in Puerto Rico, commented, “AES’s commitment to the island’s communities has always been strong, and this year we reaffirmed it. Entrepreneurs deserve our support to continue their growth and business development. This round of workshops highlights developments and innovations that, despite being in the early stages of implementation, demonstrate great potential to impact the region with their business models.” In addition to the training sessions, 10 participants will receive a financial incentive, and 10 more will receive specialized mentoring focused on business acceleration. This support will help entrepreneurs accelerate their ventures based on an analysis of their businesses“ strengths and weaknesses. This will enable them to align their businesses with current market opportunities. With this support, the ”Empowering Innovative Entrepreneurship“ Program will support new business ideas and existing microenterprises through a comprehensive training process using innovation methodologies. Linda Eddleman, Executive Director at The Trust for the Americas, noted that ”since 2018, we have been working with the AES Puerto Rico Corporation to support entrepreneurs.  Together, we have offered training in technological tools so that more people can start their own businesses and achieve financial independence. Entrepreneurship isn’t easy. It means taking a leap of faith in oneself. That’s why I want to congratulate the 96 entrepreneurs who have been part of this project.” Over the years, the partnership between AES Puerto Rico and The Trust for the Americas has benefited more than 200 people, who have strengthened their businesses through training and financial incentives, while others have received support through specialized mentoring. The winners will be selected from a group of 28 finalists. The jury will consist of Madelka McCalla, VP, Global Stakeholder Relations and Social Impact, The AES Corporation; Jesús Bolinaga, Market Business Leader, The AES Corporation; Carmen Ely Otero, Deputy Director of Social Action in Puerto Rico; Felix Cotto Febo, Cooperative Development Commission, Government of Puerto Rico; Cameron McKenzie, President of the Young Entrepreneurs Committee of the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce; and Luz Marina Correa, Project Manager for The Trust for the Americas at the Organization of American States. The winners will be announced on July 29, 2021, via Facebook: The Trust for the Americas and Twitter: @Trust4Americas. 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. As our region develops, The Trust continues to help overcome challenges through strategic partnerships that foster cooperation for sustainable results. www.trustfortheamericas.org About AES Puerto Rico AES-PR is a subsidiary of AES Corporation (NYSE:AES), a global energy company. AES Corporation operates a portfolio of 34,000 MW, diversified by fuel type, including more than 3,000 MW in solar and wind projects that are either operational or under construction. AES-PR provides safe, reliable energy at the lowest cost. Currently, AES-PR produces approximately 25% of Puerto Rico’s electricity. AES-PR’s operations contribute to the island’s economy by generating 110 direct jobs and 600 indirect jobs, providing significant employment opportunities.  AES-PR has diversified the island’s energy production through AES Ilumina, a 20-MW solar facility. AES Corp. has set an ambitious goal: to reduce coal-fired generation in its portfolio to less than 10% by the year 2030. Puerto Rico

The Trust for the Americas, in collaboration with Microsoft, UTSC, UNILEHU, and CILSA, will host this year’s “Trust Inclusion Week” virtually. Washington, D.C., July 22, 2021.—The Trust for the Americas, an institution affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS), through the POETA Program, will host “Trust Inclusion Week”: an informative event that will address key issues regarding the inclusion of people with disabilities in educational, workplace, and cultural settings, as well as the role of technology in these areas. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 15 % of the world’s population lives with some form of disability. Of these, nearly 190 million face functional limitations and frequently require assistance services. For this reason, The Trust for the Americas, in collaboration with Microsoft, the Santa Catarina Technological University (UTSC), the Free University for Human Efficiency (UNILEHU), CILSA (an NGO for Inclusion), and the ICT and Disability Consulting Firm, will join forces to share best practices for transforming our spaces into places that are truly accessible to everyone. Lourdes Serrano, Project Coordinator for Trust for the Americas in Mexico, explained that “Currently, we do not have enough public policies that guarantee the full development of the entire population, promoting inclusion and accessibility in various environments and places, so that people with disabilities are fully integrated into society. Hence the need to encourage everyone to participate actively to ensure equal opportunities for people in their daily lives.” The Trust Inclusion Week will be held virtually via platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Facebook Live, and the Trust for the Americas Virtual Classroom. Topics to be covered include, among others, “Accessible Technologies from Microsoft,” “Empowerment and Rights of People with Disabilities (PwD),” “Strategies for Inclusive Education in Both In-Person and Virtual Settings,” “Accessibility in Audiovisual Media: A Gateway to Culture and Entertainment,” “Sustainability: The Power of Differences,” and “Technologies for Inclusion from CILSA’s ”Desarrollar Inclusión’ portal.” For more information and details on the agenda, dates, times, and speakers, visit https://bit.ly/3xSb0Es https://www.trustfortheamericas.org/programs/POETA Facebook: The Trust for the Americas Twitter: @Trust4Americas 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. Argentina – Brazil – Costa Rica – Mexico

July 13, 2021.- The Trust for the Americas, an NGO affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS), is excited to launch the recruitment process for “Byte the π: Caribbean Hackathon,” an annual virtual hackathon competition making its regional debut in Belize, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. Participants from the public sector and civil society will develop innovative ideas to promote the “Open Response + Open Recovery for COVID-19” campaign. These ideas aim to highlight the fundamental values of Open Government: transparency, participation, inclusion, and accountability—all of which are essential for post-COVID recovery efforts.  This virtual hackathon is organized in collaboration with the Developing the Caribbean (DevCa) initiative, the Citi Foundation, the Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI) of Trinidad and Tobago, the Institute of Law and Economics (ILE) of Jamaica, the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB), the Ministry of Youth, Sports & E-Governance of Belize, the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE), the Ministry of Health and Wellness of Belize, the Belize Tourism Board (BTB), and the OAS National Office in Belize; with financial support from the Embassy of the United States of America in Belmopan.       To celebrate “Pi Approximation Day,” this 48-hour event will begin on July 22 and will serve as a hub for innovative ideas, focused on:  This year’s competition will award cash prizes to the top three finalists in each country—those who excel at developing a sustainable solution to minimize an identified problem.   For Belize and Jamaica: For Trinidad and Tobago: If you are tech-savvy with coding and/or hacking skills, and you think you have what it takes to win, please register. Each team must have between two and four members to participate.   “Byte the π: Caribbean Hackathon” is one of the many initiatives developed by The Trust for the Americas, through its DIA—Democratizing Innovation in the Americas—program, with the goal of continuing to nurture innovation and foster open governance in Latin America and the Caribbean.  To learn more about the projects and the winner, register here to watch the pitches and jury deliberations online during our Closing Ceremony on Saturday, July 24, at 11:00 a.m. Washington, D.C., time.  The event will also be broadcast LIVE on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Trust4Americas For any additional information on how to enter the competition, please contact: arobin@20.9.190.97 Belize – Jamaica – Trinidad and Tobago

The current situation has shown us that entrepreneurship increasingly represents an opportunity to achieve economic independence.  Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United Nations warned that “114.4 million people were pushed into extreme poverty, 57.8 million of whom are women and girls. ”This situation deals a severe blow to poverty reduction efforts worldwide.“ In light of this scenario, The Trust for the Americas, a nonprofit organization affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS), is launching the initiative ”Bootcamp – Empowering Your Business“ initiative in Brazil and simultaneously across Latin America, with the goal of fostering entrepreneurship and strengthening the entrepreneurial mindset of individuals interested in starting and/or growing their businesses, based on a dynamic and challenging learning experience.  Valentina Coley, facilitator, CEO, and co-founder of Cubo Social, explained that ”the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp is a unique space we created based on the expectations and needs of entrepreneurs, the maturity level of their ventures, current social challenges, and the main trends in technical and essential skills associated with an entrepreneurial mindset.” The program will have limited spots available for women and men between the ages of 18 and 60. The sessions will be both synchronous and asynchronous, and participants will be challenged to understand entrepreneurship as a means of building life projects and as a path to financial independence.  The first event, which took place on June 30, was an informational session where participants had the opportunity to learn, in detail, about this interesting training experience and how to implement new tools in their own businesses.   What will participants learn? Assertive communication, leadership, emotional intelligence, problem-solving, sales mindset, value proposition, digital marketing, and neurofinance in entrepreneurship, among other topics.   Upon completion of the Bootcamp, 50 entrepreneurs will have access to specialized mentoring; participants will be selected based on their compliance and commitment to the activities.  At the end of the Bootcamp, 50 entrepreneurs will have access to specialized mentors; they will be selected based on their commitment and participation in activities throughout the 8-week initiative, which begins on July 12. Registration is open until July 7 and can be completed at this link: https://bit.ly/3jatwmN For more information, visit: Visit:  https://www.trustfortheamericas.org/programs/POETA/poeta-digispark Facebook: The Trust for the Americas  Twitter: @Trust4Americas 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 allows us to engage with 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. As our region develops, The Trust continues to help overcome challenges through strategic partnerships that foster cooperation for sustainable results. www.trustfortheamericas.org Argentina – Brazil – Chile – Colombia – Costa Rica – Ecuador – El Salvador – Guatemala – Honduras – Mexico – Nicaragua – Panama – Peru – Dominican Republic – Venezuela

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, and Washington, D.C. June 8, 2021 – The Trust for the Americas, in partnership with the Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI) and the Citi Foundation, hosted a virtual event to announce and promote the new Trinidad & Tobago DIA Lab. With this DIA Lab, The Trust for the Americas is launching development initiatives in this Caribbean country for the first time. Young innovators and disruptive entrepreneurs will create low-cost, high-impact, high-quality innovation solutions that provide affordable access and livelihood opportunities for their communities on a long-term, sustainable basis.  The following officials participated in the virtual event hosted by CARIRI and Citi Trinidad and Tobago (link): The Honorable Minister Foster Cummings – Ministry of Youth Development and National Service, Mrs. Patricia De Leon Henry – National Director, National Social Development Program, Mr. Renzo Angeles – Vice President and Head of Cash Markets for Trinidad and Tobago at the Citi Foundation, Mrs. Danielle Rampersad – Vice President and General Counsel at Citi Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Mitchell De Silva – Citi Country Officer for Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Dwayne Gutzmer – Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Law & Economics in Jamaica, Ms. Shanae Owen, Project Officer at the Institute of Law & Economics in Jamaica; Ms. Marina Piper – OAS Country Officer; and representatives from The Trust for the Americas, CARIRI, the Citi Foundation, and the Institute of Law & Economics.  According to the Inter-American Development Bank, approximately one in five young people between the ages of 15 and 24 in the Caribbean are neither in school nor part of the workforce. This project will foster empowerment and innovation among Caribbean youth by equipping them with digital and entrepreneurial skills—crucial elements for economic growth. CARIRI’s Human Resources Manager, Ms. Denise Ferguson, stated: “Building capacity in Trinidad and Tobago has always been at the forefront of CARIRI’s mandate. This new initiative will allow us to expand our scope into an area that enables at-risk youth to become entrepreneurs, idea generators, and innovators.” Mitch De Silva, Citi Country Officer for Trinidad and Tobago, attended the impressive virtual tour and presentation and, during his remarks, stated: “We are proud to be part of the development of strong, sustainable communities, and Citi Trinidad & Tobago is pleased to be part of the Citi Foundation’s ”Pathways to Progress“ global initiative to equip young people with the career readiness tools and opportunities needed to thrive in today’s economy. We believe this will help them develop an entrepreneurial mindset and acquire leadership skills that will ultimately benefit their families, communities, and the country.” In 2016, the Citi Foundation and The Trust launched the DIA Urban Labs for Youth Innovation in Jamaica. From 2016 to 2020, more than 1,350 young people received training and access to state-of-the-art technology to address challenges in their communities. In that context, The Institute of Law & Economics shared experiences and lessons learned from the DIA Lab in Jamaica.    Linda Eddleman, CEO of The Trust for the Americas, noted that “this is a very important day at The Trust because we are launching the first program in Trinidad and Tobago in our 20-year history. Working with CARIRI and with the support of the Citi Foundation and the Organization of American States, we know that this project will help change the lives of many young people and, in turn, positively impact their communities. Specifically, we aim to provide young entrepreneurs with cutting-edge technology training, collaboration spaces, specialized curricula, mentorship, and financial resources for their social and economic ventures.”  Godiva Golding, a former participant in the DIA Urban Lab in Jamaica, shared her success story and spoke about how the DIA Lab in Jamaica positively impacted her life and that of her community.  Ms. Godiva Golding said: “It is precisely this kind of support—in terms of pitching, mentorship, and the connections that have been built—that has truly helped us move from simply existing and having an idea to constantly bringing that idea to life.”  At the end of the event, Rodrigo Iriani, Senior Program Manager at DIA, and Laura Da’Breau, Senior Business Development Officer at CARIRI, officially launched the Youth Innovation Lab. Rodrigo Iriani concluded: “DIA is about empowering citizens for social change through collective intelligence. I encourage all of you here today to participate—public officials, young people, academic institutions, and international agencies—because a multi-stakeholder approach is key to success. This is about building an ecosystem to drive transformation.” The Trinidad & Tobago DIA Lab will improve the lives of Trinidadian youth by enabling them to learn in-demand technological skills and develop disruptive solutions that will benefit their communities. During the event, attendees took a virtual tour of the Lab’s facilities, which highlighted how technology empowers young people. More information about the lab will be posted on our website and on our social media platforms at @trust4americas. About The Trust for the Americas:   The Trust for the Americas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS). It was established in 1997 to promote public and private sector participation in social and economic development projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. Our initiatives, implemented through local partner organizations, seek to improve access to economic opportunities and foster innovation in vulnerable communities throughout the hemisphere. To this end, The Trust also promotes social inclusion and good governance. The Trust has offices in Washington, D.C., Colombia, and Canada.   More information: www.trustfortheamericas.org Facebook: The Trust for the Americas Twitter: @Trust4Americas Trinidad & Tobago

The training sessions are designed for teachers seeking to improve their digital skills to enhance their employability.  Eidos Global and The Trust for the Americas, an institution affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS), with support from Microsoft, are promoting the “Skills for the Future” program, a digital skills training initiative focused on enhancing employability in Latin America. The training provided by the program focuses on teaching digital content alongside cognitive and socio-emotional skills. The program is open to teachers from any institution who have a basic level of digital literacy and wish to improve their professional skills through the use of software.  The course is designed in a flexible and replicable format, which facilitates its implementation by the governments and organizations carrying it out.  The training is virtual and combines synchronous sessions—with an instructor teaching via the Microsoft Teams platform—and asynchronous sessions, in which participants follow the guides at their own pace. The program is delivered entirely online and at no cost. Educators will have access to a creative and innovative methodology for facilitating virtual learning spaces focused on digital and social skills using Microsoft tools. Diana Andrade, coordinator of the POETA Social Franchise in Ecuador, commented that “the future presents us with major new challenges; therefore, educators, teachers, and facilitators bear the great responsibility of continuing to acquire important skills so that the people they work with can open up, expand, or improve their opportunities in the workforce.” Registration will remain open until June 7, with limited space available. Those interested can register at http://bit.ly/ec-habilidadesfuturo. The Trust for the Americas has supported initiatives in Ecuador since 2008, particularly by supporting technology training projects aimed at creating economic opportunities for vulnerable populations, always in partnership with local organizations.  For more information, visit: Visit:  https://www.trustfortheamericas.org/programs/POETA/poeta-digispark Facebook: The Trust for the Americas  Twitter: @Trust4Americas 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. As our region develops, The Trust continues to help overcome challenges through strategic partnerships that foster cooperation for sustainable results. www.trustfortheamericas.org, Ecuador

Eidos Always Learning and The Trust for the Americas are inviting educators, teachers, and facilitators from Latin America to participate in the Skills for the Future program, an initiative aimed at equipping education professionals with the digital skills needed to enhance employability in Latin America. The program is supported by Microsoft.  The program is designed for teachers from any institution who have a basic level of digital literacy and wish to improve their professional skills through the use of software. The course is developed in a flexible and replicable format, which facilitates its implementation by governments and organizations carrying it out.  The training focuses primarily on the integrated teaching of digital content alongside cognitive and socio-emotional skills, so that participants can internalize what they learn and apply it in various contexts of their professional lives and other areas where they operate.  During the course—which is offered online and free of charge—educators will have access to a creative and innovative methodology for facilitating virtual learning environments focused on digital and social skills using Microsoft tools.  Joining this partnership is Fundades, an organization whose mission is to help improve the quality of life for people in vulnerable situations—especially those with disabilities—through the promotion and implementation of social activities and projects related to health, vulnerable children, education, employment, sports, and the environment. Diana Andrade, DigiSpark coordinator in Peru, commented that “the future presents us with major new challenges; therefore, educators, teachers, and facilitators bear the great responsibility of continuing to acquire skills so that the people they work with can open up, expand, or improve their opportunities in the workforce.” Registration will remain open until May 21, and space is limited. Those interested can register at http://bit.ly/registrohf. POETA DigiSpark is funded by Microsoft and implemented by The Trust for the Americas in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and the Dominican Republic through 19 local partners. Since the project’s launch in 2012, POETA DigiSpark has benefited more than 34,000 participants by providing access to technology centers and has empowered nearly 40,000 participants through various training programs. In addition, it has facilitated nearly 20,000 economic and educational opportunities in the region.   For more information: Visit: https://www.trustfortheamericas.org/programs/POETA/poeta-digispark Facebook: The Trust for the Americas – Twitter: @Trust4Americas – Instagram: @Trust4Americas – LinkedIn: The Trust for the Americas 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. Peru

Costa Rica – The Trust for the Americas, in partnership with GovTech Hub, has launched the “GovTech Bootcamp Costa Rica 2021,” the first event of its kind in Latin America. This initiative aims to strengthen the GovTech ecosystem in Costa Rica, stimulate digital innovation in public administration, increase the use of data, and promote the creation of multisectoral partnerships to develop disruptive solutions that address public sector challenges.  According to CAF—the Development Bank of Latin America—GovTech is an acronym for Government Technology (government technology), and refers to an environment in which governments collaborate with startups, SMEs, and other actors who use data analytics, digital technologies, and innovative methodologies to create products and services that improve citizens“ quality of life. In this regard, the GovTech Bootcamp brings together representatives from civil society organizations, seven startups selected through an open call for proposals, and twelve Costa Rican municipalities for 16 training and collaboration sessions. Initially, public officials will work to identify three to four areas where public services in each local government need improvement, and then, in collaboration with the startups and drawing on their technological and digital capabilities, develop innovative proposals to maximize public efficiency and improve communications and transparency in the use of government resources.  The local governments participating in the initiative are Atenas, Belén, Cañas, Cartago, Esparza, Grecia, Heredia, Mora, Orotina, Osa, Quepos, and Turrialba, which will work in partnership with the following startups: Big Cloud, LISTICA, Constratus, EOS Costa Rica, Neural Coders, Inco, and SmArtech.  ”This program is more than just a two-month training course; it is the first Govecth training and action initiative in the region, through which we aim to ensure that the projects that emerge do not remain mere ideas. Therefore, The Trust for the Americas will provide financial support totaling USD $35,000 to the best initiatives to ensure their implementation, and thus continue to drive the GovTech ecosystem in Latin America, where there is still a long way to go,“ stated Rodrigo Iriani, Program Manager for Democratizing Innovation in the Americas (DIA) at The Trust for the Americas.  According to the ”2020 GovTech Index: Empowering GovTech Ecosystems in Ibero-America,“ developed by CAF, the countries in the region best positioned to take advantage of GovTech ecosystems are the most digitized. Likewise, large cities such as Buenos Aires, São Paulo, and Mexico City have greater potential to capitalize on these new trends, given the dynamism of traditional digital startups and policies promoting digital entrepreneurship.   The report based its assessment on three variables—digital startups, government policies, and the procurement system—to analyze a group of 16 countries. In the case of Costa Rica, the index ranks it ninth and gives it a score of 4.04/10, since although the government has taken measures to promote technological innovation through incentives such as free trade zones and centers in San José, the country currently lacks policies specifically tailored to GovTech, as well as a significant presence of tech companies and startups specializing in this field, compared to other parts of the continent.  However, the study also recognizes Costa Rica’s potential not only in the field of procurement—to create a system more open to bids from GovTech startups—but also in the innovation environment, where it has the highest score in the region thanks to its population’s digital skills. In fact, the fact that it is legal in the country to pay workers with cryptocurrencies may be one of the future drivers of GovTech innovation, particularly regarding blockchain technology and other cryptocurrency projects.  ”In 2020, we launched two blockchain pilot projects for the certification of commercial patents and liquor licenses in the municipalities of Grecia and Quepos, as a first step toward using Industry 4.0 technology, to make the processes fully transparent and verifiable by any citizen or inspector,“ added Jorge Umaña, Open Government Project Coordinator in Costa Rica at The Trust for the Americas, and facilitator and mentor for the event.  The GovTech Bootcamp Costa Rica 2021 stems from the project ”Innovation and Civic Technologies to Increase Transparency in Government Services,” launched in 2020 with support from the U.S. Embassy in San José to foster dialogue and effective collaboration among multiple sectors, promoting openness to the development of disruptive solutions focused on the post-pandemic recovery phasethrough the use of civic technologies and open data to improve the quality and coverage of government services.   *** 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. As our region develops, The Trust continues to help overcome challenges through strategic partnerships that foster cooperation for sustainable results.  The Trust for the Americas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.     Visit: www.trustfortheamericas.org Facebook: The Trust for the Americas Twitter: @Trust4Americas Costa Rica

PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, January 28, 2021 – The Urban Lab for Youth Innovation in Trinidad will reach 300 young people in 2021, providing young innovators with state-of-the-art innovation and technology training, as well as access to collaboration spaces and more to promote STEM education and entrepreneurship. Miguel Francis, a DIA Young Participant from Jamaica, said, “DIA Camp is a tremendous opportunity for all those innovators who want to take their projects to the next level. I received training, attended the Bootcamp, and won the pitch competition. Many young people think innovation is a fancy word and are afraid to explore entrepreneurship, but our job market demands that we think outside the box, network as much as we can, and figure out how to compete internationally. Having a laser cutter and 3D printer at the Urban Lab makes my life easier.” Young innovators and disruptive entrepreneurs will create low-cost, high-impact, high-quality innovation solutions that provide affordable access and livelihood opportunities for their communities on a long-term, sustainable basis. Activities include ideathons, mentorship programs, training, Pitch Tank competitions, and seed funding opportunities for the most promising and innovative youth-led projects. Democratizing Innovation in the Americas (DIA) is a regional initiative to foster innovation and empower youth by providing access to technology training, collaboration spaces, specialized curricula, mentorship, and financial support for their startups. The goal is to unlock the hidden talents of youth living in poverty and at risk of criminal activity. DIA is currently active in Belize, Costa Rica, Colombia, Jamaica, Panama, and Mexico. From 2016 to 2020, over 1,350 young people participated in the DIA Urban Lab in Kingston, Jamaica. At least 85 of them are now running entrepreneurial ventures, while others have found employment. For 2021, The Trust proposes adding a DIA Lab in Trinidad and Tobago. Both Labs will form the foundation of a Caribbean regional ecosystem. READ THE OPEN CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR LOCAL PARTNERS IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO. In times of uncertainty, the DIA Urban Labs provide Caribbean youth with access to more opportunities and new skills, with the goal of creating more agents of change in their communities. *** About The Trust for the Americas: The Trust for the Americas is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS). It was established in 1997 to promote public and private sector participation in social and economic development projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. Our initiatives, implemented through local partner organizations, seek to improve access to economic opportunities and foster innovation in vulnerable communities across the hemisphere. To this end, the Trust also promotes social inclusion and good governance. The Trust has offices in Washington, D.C., Colombia, and Canada. More information: www.trustfortheamericas.org Facebook: The Trust for the Americas Twitter: @Trust4Americas Questions? Contact: Rodrigo Iriani, Senior Program Manager, ririani@20.9.190.97 RFP YOUTH INNOVATION LAB

Washington, D.C., December 17, 2020.- After two years of successful implementation, the Organization of American States“ (OAS) Trust for the Americas program presents results marking the completion of the ”Innovation through Open Data in Panama“ project. The project, titled ”Public Innovation through Open Data in Panama,“ was developed to encourage Panama’s government and civil society to collaboratively create spaces for discussion, collaboration, public policy deliberation, and projects through the use of open data. The project was funded by the U.S. Embassy in Panama and was implemented in three phases: technical training for public servants, civil society, academia, the media, and the private sector; the creation of spaces for dialogue and the exchange of ideas to foster the inclusion of all sectors in the search for solutions; and, finally, the funding of innovative social initiatives that promote the use of data to address community issues. Additionally, this project forged successful partnerships with various sectors of society, including the private sector, government, academia, and civil society. During the closing event, the project’s milestones were presented, which were achieved in collaboration with organizations such as the Panamanian Institute of Law and New Technologies (IPANDETEC), the National Authority for Transparency and Access to Information (ANTAI), the Authority for Government Innovation (AIG), and the General Directorate of Public Procurement (DGCP).  The agenda for the results presentation is as follows: Presentation of Results from the ”Innovation through Open Data in Panama” Project December 17, 2020 – 2:00 p.m. Opening Remarks and Project Presentation. Elsa Fernández, Director General of ANTAI, and Rodrigo Iriani, Senior Program Manager, The Trust for the Americas 2:10 p.m. Results of the Training Component for Government Officials and Civil Society: Juan Pablo Rodríguez, ANTAI, and Hamzah Haji, The Trust for the Americas, 2:30 p.m. Y4OD – Youth in Open Data: Jorge Umaña, The Trust for the Americas, and Lia Hernández, IPANDETEC, 2:40 p.m. Y4OD Projects: Moderated by Ariaxna Vázquez, IPANDETEC, 2:55 p.m. Funded Projects – Budget Transparency System – Social Security Fund Portal – Educational Scholarships in the Comarca Moderated by Hamzah Haji, Local Project Coordinator, The Trust for the Americas 3:10 p.m. Announcement of the OGP 4th Action Plan Monitoring Platform and closing remarks. Elsa Fernández, Director General of ANTAI, and Rodrigo Iriani, Senior Program Manager, The Trust for the Americas. Follow our hashtags for more information on the activities: #Y4ODPanama #OpenGovPanama 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 allows us to engage with decision-makers throughout the region. This fundamental partnership is the foundation upon 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 by fostering strategic partnerships that generate sustainable results. The Trust for the Americas is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C.   Visit: www.trustfortheamericas.org Facebook: The Trust for the Americas Twitter: @Trust4Americas Panama