María Alejandra Barrios S.

El Paso, Texas — February 11, 2026. Nine trainees celebrated the completion of the second cohort of the Skills for Sustainability (S4S) SCADA Training Project during a graduation ceremony held at Western Technical College. Led by The Trust for the Americas, in partnership with Workforce Solutions Borderplex and Western Tech, and funded by the North American Development Bank, the S4S initiative equips participants with the technical and socio--emotional skills needed to operate and maintain Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. These systems constitute critical digital infrastructure that enables water and energy utilities to monitor and manage operations in real time. Through a comprehensive blend of classroom instruction, hands-on technical training, and job placement support, the project directly addresses the Paso del Norte region’s growing demand for skilled SCADA professionals and strengthens the local workforce pipeline for essential infrastructure sectors.  The graduation ceremony brought together representatives from key partner institutions, including Rogelio Luna, Strategic Partnerships Manager at Workforce Solutions Borderplex; Renata Manning-Gbogbo, Head of the Capacity and Technical Assistance Unit at the North American Development Bank (NADBank); and Brad Kuykendall, CEO of Western Technical College. “NADBank finances infrastructure projects in the U.S.–Mexico border region to improve the quality of life on both sides of the border. Through loans, grants, and technical assistance, we invest not only in critical infrastructure but also in the people who make it possible. Developed in collaboration with our partners, the Skills for Sustainability project brings this commitment to life by strengthening workforce skills to build healthier communities and deliver lasting benefits for border residents,” said Renata Manning-Gbogbo, Head of the Capacity and Technical Assistance Unit at NADBank.  “This initiative reflects our commitment to strategic workforce development by investing in training that directly addresses labor market needs. By preparing participants for careers in critical infrastructure, we are promoting economic mobility for residents while supporting long-term workforce solutions for regional employers. ”Collaboration with industry, training providers, and community partners remains essential to creating sustainable opportunities and ensuring lasting success for both talent and regional growth,“ said Rogelio Luna, Strategic Partnerships Manager at Workforce Solutions Borderplex.  ”Western Technical College is grateful for the opportunity to deliver this training and to work alongside our partners in supporting the growth of our local workforce. Projects like Skills for Sustainability allow us to equip individuals with the technical skills needed to succeed in today’s rapidly evolving career pathways while strengthening the talent pipeline for critical infrastructure industries in our region. “Seeing our trainees complete this project and move toward meaningful career advancement reinforces our commitment to education that directly impacts both individuals and the community as a whole,” said John Nunez, Customized Training Director at WTC.  These outcomes underscore the program’s role in building a resilient, future-ready technical workforce for the Paso del Norte region. To date, S4S has trained eight participants through its first SCADA cohort, and it will train an additional 16 participants during the first semester of 2026, with the goal of strengthening the region’s utility and industrial workforce pipeline.  “Skills for Sustainability is about expanding economic opportunity while building the capacity of essential public services. By investing in SCADA training, we’re helping communities strengthen their infrastructure and creating pathways to quality jobs,” said Jorge Marquez Gaspar, Project Manager, The Trust for the Americas.  ***       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 throughout the hemisphere. To this end, Trust also promotes social inclusion and good governance. Trust has offices in Washington, D.C., Colombia, and Canada. More information: www.thetrustfortheamericas.org        

Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, February 5, 2026. The northern border between Mexico and the United States is one of the most dynamic regions on the continent. According to the North American Development Bank (NADBank), this area has more than 26 million inhabitants, of whom nearly 19 million reside in the six Mexican border states, which together account for 26 % of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This intense economic and social activity also entails a profound environmental interdependence that, in recent years, has highlighted a growing water crisis.  Factors such as the overexploitation of aquifers, prolonged droughts, and constant demographic pressure have increased the risks to water security in border cities such as Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, and El Paso, Texas. Both cities rely heavily on shared groundwater sources, particularly the Bolsón del Hueco Aquifer. According to the report *Water in Ciudad Juárez*, published by the Juárez Municipal Water and Sanitation Board (JMAS), this aquifer is severely overexploited: the volume of water extracted exceeds natural recharge, and the historical drawdown of the wells has reached nearly 100 meters. In this context, the governments of Mexico and the United States have formally recognized the urgency of addressing water challenges through binational environmental cooperation mechanisms. As a result, strategic priorities have been established focused on integrated water management, access to safe drinking water, and the strengthening of community capacities in the border region. In this vein, NADBank has emphasized that investment in water-related projects is essential for the region’s sustainable economic development, while highlighting youth training on water and environmental issues as a key component for strengthening community resilience.  In response to these challenges, Jale por el Agua (Skills for Sustainability – S4S in El Paso, Texas) was launched—a binational initiative with high social and environmental impact implemented in Ciudad Juárez and El Paso. The project on the Mexican side of the border was launched with the support of The Trust for the Americas, an entity affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS), Microsoft, the North American Development Bank (NADBank), and local organizations, establishing itself as a model of multisectoral and cross-border cooperation. Implemented between 2023 and 2025, “Jale por el Agua” trained nearly 400 vulnerable young people between the ages of 18 and 30 in Ciudad Juárez, strengthening their life skills, job competencies, and technical knowledge related to the water and environmental sectors. The training content was designed based on local and regional needs and incorporated topics such as sustainability, climate change, and technological innovation. As a result, the project promoted participants’ employment and educational opportunities in sectors related to water, the environment, sustainability, and technology. Thanks to this approach, 90 % of the participants gained access to an economic and/or educational opportunity.  In Ciudad Juárez, the Jale por el Agua project was supported by a strong multisectoral alliance comprising social actors such as Jóvenes Constructores de la Comunidad (JCC); government agencies such as the Secretariat of Human Development and the Common Good and the Juárez Municipal Water and Sanitation Board (JMAS); as well as business and technology entities such as VEOLIA, Waterhouse Group, FIXXI APP, ARCA Continental, and the Ciudad Juárez Chamber of Commerce. This collaboration helped strengthen technical training and youth employment in sectors critical to sustainability and community development.  “Jale por el Agua demonstrates that investing in young people is also investing in water security along the border: when life skills, technical training, and public-private partnerships are combined, young people become agents of resilience for their communities. In Ciudad Juárez, this effort built capacity, opened doors to educational and employment opportunities, and strengthened a model of binational cooperation that we want to continue promoting throughout the region.” Jorge Márquez Although the implementation of Jale por el Agua is coming to a close in Ciudad Juárez, its impact extends beyond the local level. The initiative continues to be implemented in other strategic areas along the U.S.-Mexico border, strengthening a binational network of trained youth, community leaders, and institutional partners committed to water sustainability and social development. *** About The Trust for the Americas:      The Trust for the Americas is a nonprofit organization that promotes social and economic inclusion in the hemisphere by developing key skills for employability, entrepreneurship, and innovation. As an affiliate of the Organization of American States, The Trust builds regional and local partnerships with the public, private, academic, and civil society sectors. Since its inception, it has worked in more than 29 countries in the Americas and has impacted more than 6 million people through initiatives that connect training, technology, and real economic opportunities.  

San José, Costa Rica. February 3, 2026 — The Trust for the Americas, an affiliate of the Organization of American States (OAS), in partnership with the Citi Foundation, celebrated the launch of a regional project aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and employability as key drivers of inclusive economic prosperity in Latin America and the Caribbean. The event brought together leaders from the private sector, institutions focused on trade and competitiveness, civil society organizations, and specialized media outlets. As part of the event, a strategic panel titled “How Partnerships Redefine Economic Prosperity” was held, designed as a forum for dialogue to analyze the role of multisectoral partnerships in generating sustainable economic growth, quality employment, and productive entrepreneurship in the region. The panel featured Linda Eddleman, CEO of The Trust for the Americas; Elizabeth Arroyave, CEO of EA Tech and vice president of the Chamber of Information Technology (CAMTIC); Ed Sánchez, Citi Country Officer & Banking Head (CCOBH) for Costa Rica; and Ivannia Arguedas, Director of Innovation and Projects at PROCOMER. The session was moderated by Milenia Romero, Executive Director of Hogar Siembra. During the event, Ambassador Sergio Vinocour, Director of International Cooperation at the Costa Rican Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship, shared the country’s vision on the strategic role of international cooperation as a catalyst for sustainable development. During his remarks, he highlighted the importance of moving toward results-oriented cooperation models, emphasizing how the Organization of American States, through its affiliate The Trust for the Americas, helps translate hemispheric priorities into tangible and measurable impacts in Member States. During the meeting, it was emphasized that economic prosperity can no longer be addressed through isolated efforts or traditional intervention models. Instead, the need was underscored to promote new forms of collaboration between the private sector, the public sector, and civil society—designed with a focus on scale, sustainability, and concrete economic results. This event officially marked the launch of a regional project focused on technology training, employability, and entrepreneurship. Its goal is to build capacity and facilitate access to real economic opportunities for 700 vulnerable individuals in Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, and Panama. The initiative is part of a strategic commitment to more inclusive and sustainable development models in the region. Linda Eddleman emphasized the importance of working in partnership to drive social and economic development in Member States of the Organization of American States, such as Costa Rica. “For us, the launch of this project represents an opportunity to further scale up the impact we have in Costa Rica through collaboration with various sectors. We aim to strengthen our coordination with the private sector to transform this initiative into concrete economic opportunities that translate into higher incomes for families and a skilled workforce for companies and startups that become part of the country’s value chains,” she said. Ed Sanchez noted, “At Citi, we feel deeply honored and committed to being a key participant and provider of essential support for this partnership. We are convinced that multisectoral collaboration is the essential driving force for fostering inclusive and sustainable economic prosperity. Through this project, we reaffirm our vision of empowering the most vulnerable communities by providing them with the tools and opportunities necessary for entrepreneurship and employability to become pillars of their development. Together, we are investing in a more equitable and dynamic future for our region.” Hogar Siembra hosted this landmark event, during which attendees took a tour of the Trust Center—an initiative that supports vulnerable girls and adolescents in the community. This experience provided tangible evidence of how multisectoral partnerships translate into concrete results in terms of training, employability, and community development. The meeting concluded with a high-level discussion on the strategic role of multisectoral partnerships in building inclusive and sustainable economic prosperity. About The Trust for the Americas: The Trust for the Americas is a nonprofit organization that promotes social and economic inclusion in the hemisphere by developing key skills for employability, entrepreneurship, and innovation. As an affiliate of the Organization of American States, The Trust coordinates regional and local partnerships with the public, private, academic, and civil society sectors. Since its inception, it has worked in more than 29 countries in the Americas and has impacted more than 6 million people through initiatives that connect training, technology, and real economic opportunities. For more information: www.thetrustfortheamericas.org

Guatemala City, January 27, 2026. — The Trust for the Americas, an affiliate of the Organization of American States (OAS), and the Municipality of Guatemala signed a collaboration agreement that reaffirms their joint commitment to social and economic inclusion, strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and creating opportunities for the Guatemalan people. During the event, the launch of the TECLA project (Promoting Technology and Connectivity for Leadership and Learning in Central America) was announced. This initiative is being implemented in partnership with SBA Communications, a leading provider of essential wireless communications infrastructure,and which aims to strengthen digital, employability, and entrepreneurial skills through the responsible use of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence. Representatives from SBA Communications also participated in the event. Linda Eddleman, CEO of The Trust for the Americas, highlighted the strategic partnership the organization maintains with these private-sector entities and emphasized Guatemala’s historical and strategic importance to the institution: “Guatemala holds a very important place in the history of The Trust. More than twenty years ago, we established our first technology center here, launching a model that is now present in 29 countries across the hemisphere. This new step reaffirms our long-term commitment to Guatemalan communities and to creating real and sustainable economic opportunities.” Over more than two decades of work in the country, The Trust has impacted nearly 100,000 people in Guatemala, expanding their access to knowledge, digital tools, and economic opportunities. Currently, the organization operates nearly 400 technology and innovation centers across the Americas, establishing itself as a key player in promoting inclusion and economic development, particularly for women. At The Trust for the Americas, 60% of the participants in our projects are women, reflecting our commitment to gender equity. Through our initiatives, we help reduce inequality gaps and strengthen women’s leadership by expanding training opportunities and promoting women’s active participation in the economic and social development of their communities. For his part, Mayor Ricardo Quiñónez of the Municipality of Guatemala emphasized the importance of this partnership as a mechanism to strengthen local development and territorial innovation: “In Guatemala City, we believe in the talent of our youth; we value it and foster their ability to innovate and become entrepreneurs through technology.  At the municipality, we have a clear vision backed by projects and programs where opportunities become a reality.  Young people are the present and future of the city; when we promote spaces for training, education, and entrepreneurship, we are building a more dynamic economy and a future where ideas can be transformed into solutions that contribute to the community’s progress.” The TECLA project will begin its implementation in Guatemala with a regional rollout that prioritizes Guatemala City and the municipality of Chiquimula, in coordination with public, private, and community stakeholders. It is estimated that the project will directly benefit more than 600 people, with a broader impact reaching more than 1,500 beneficiaries, including families and communities. This partnership reflects a shared vision based on collaboration between the public sector, the private sector, and civil society as an effective way to bridge digital divides, strengthen local capacities, and promote inclusive and sustainable economic development. *** About The Trust for the Americas: The Trust for the Americas is a nonprofit organization that promotes social and economic inclusion in the hemisphere by developing key skills for employability, entrepreneurship, and innovation. As an affiliate of the Organization of American States, The Trust fosters regional and local partnerships with the public, private, academic, and civil society sectors. Since its inception, it has worked in more than 29 countries across the Americas and has impacted more than 6 million people through initiatives that connect training, technology, and real economic opportunities. For more information: www.thetrustfortheamericas.org About the Municipality of Guatemala: The Municipality of Guatemala works daily on innovative projects to provide residents with quality basic services. We also promote social, environmental, and cultural activities, and drive local economic development and sustainable environmental management.

Ciudad Juárez, September 30, 2025. – Jóvenes Constructores de la Comunidad, A.C. (JCC), in partnership with The Trust for the Americas and with the support of the North American Development Bank (NADBank), celebrated the graduation of 49 young people who participated in the Jale por el Agua project, a binational initiative that promotes decent work, technical training, and community engagement.  This effort was made possible thanks to support from FECHAC, through its MIDAS program, and from partner companies such as the Ciudad Juárez Municipal Water and Sanitation Board, Veolia, Arca Continental, and The Water House, among others, which have opened up opportunities for local talent.  For three months, women and men between the ages of 17 and 34 received training in personal empowerment, soft skills, and technical plumbing training provided by the Chihuahua State Institute for Job Training (ICATECH). As part of the program, participants carried out community service projects, such as installing irrigation systems in public spaces, directly contributing to the well-being of their neighborhoods. Since 2023, Jale por el Agua has graduated more than 300 people, of whom more than 100 are women. 100% of its participants have gained access to economic opportunities in key sectors such as industry, commerce, water management, and entrepreneurship, as well as educational reintegration.  Luis Alberto Aquino, JCC coordinator in Ciudad Juárez, acknowledged that “providing soft skills and technical training in water conservation serves as a bridge to a better future for young people with limited opportunities. Their achievement is a testament to their dedication and perseverance.”   For his part, Jorge Marquez, Project Manager at The Trust for the Americas, commented that “we are very proud to work alongside Jóvenes Constructores de la Comunidad on the graduation of 49 more participants from the Jale por el Agua program. This initiative has a threefold impact: it opens educational and economic opportunities for young people from disadvantaged communities, strengthens employers by providing a skilled workforce that improves their operations, and contributes to the sustainable development of Ciudad Juárez.”  This training reaffirms the commitment of public and private organizations to building skills among young people; therefore, at The Trust for the Americas, we extend an invitation to more organizations and companies to join this transformative effort, so we can continue changing the lives of hundreds of young people in Chihuahua and build a more inclusive and sustainable future together.