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Sharing Stories, Inspiring Communities: Highlights from the Caribbean Regional Video Workshop

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The Caribbean Regional Video Workshop has ended, and we are thrilled to share our fantastic experience! The DIA Labs were excited as we welcomed creative young minds from Belize, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago. Our participants learned the ropes of video production using their smartphones or a DSLR camera, which participants could access from their respective Labs. From shot listing and logistics to equipment and directing, they explored all stages of video production. Our online training sessions allowed participants from different countries to connect and learn together. The onsite production training was an absolute blast, and we loved seeing everyone come together to make magic happen. Javier Molina, workshop instructor and Belizean filmmaker, traveled to all destinations to teach all the fundamentals and hands-on skills to produce a video from beginning to end. With over 20 years of experience under his belt, the participants gathered priceless knowledge that will inform their creative pursuits. Online Post-Production Zoom training session with all participants, led by the trainer Javier Molina. Liz, from the Belize team, shared her experience, “It was really good. I didn’t know much about video production going in, and now I have a good hand on the basics.” When asked if they were standout moments for her, Liz expressed how much she appreciated the support offered throughout the workshop. “I really liked how Ms. Audrey was very willing to open more spaces for us to learn. She has been helpful, and I didn’t expect that, so it is very good.” Liz plans to use what she has learned in her professional life, saying, “I have customers and works related to the video production field, so I am more prepared to help them.” The Belize team learning to use a DSLR camera on the campus of the UWI Belize DIA Lab, at the Open Campus of UWI in Belize City.  The trainer Javier Molina leading the onsite training in Belize City. Yanique from Jamaica had an enjoyable experience saying that: “It was fun. I have learned a lot, like how to get proper angles with the camera and how to write a good script.” Yanique’s team decided to work on a short documentary highlighting mental health in their country and the effects of COVID-19. However, commitments to school and other outside factors meant they could not finish their film. She hopes to apply her newfound skills to complete the documentary. She would be interested in another workshop, saying, “The program was very good, and hopefully, I get a chance to participate again in the future when I have more time.” The Jamaican team and Mr. Molina learning to use a DSLR and their phone to shoot a video, at the Institute of Law, and Economics in Kingston, Jamaica.   The Jamaican team and Mr. Molina in a post-discussion.   Overall, the workshop was an incredible success, and we cannot wait to see what amazing videos our participants will produce in the future! Liz told us they are working on a documentary titled “The Beautiful Soul of Belize.” It primarily focuses on the Belizean lifestyle. “We’re gathering information currently, but this film intends to inspire and appreciate what we have in Belize.” We are so excited to see these filmmakers take their skills to the next level and make an impact in their communities. We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our partners, the UWI Open Campus in Belize, the Institute of Law and Economics (ILE) in Jamaica, the Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI) in Trinidad and Tobago, as well as the trainer Javier Molina and the Belizean video production company Ignite for making this possible. Participants at the Caribbean Industrial Research Institute in Trinidad and Tobago learning how to use different equipment to shoot a video such as a gimbal, a drone, a smartphone, and a DSLR camera.  Mr. Molina with representatives of the DIA Youth Innovation Lab in Trinidad and Tobago.  Written by Audrey Robin, Project Coordinator – Belize

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How the DIA Program's JET Project Jamaica incorporated Citibeats’ Ethical AI platform to Help Jamaican Youth Succeed in the Digital Economy 

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The rapid expansion of the digital technology landscape poses challenges for young people, who are disproportionately affected by the mismatch between their digital skills and those in demand in the labor market. In 2022, the youth unemployment rate was six times higher than pre-pandemic levels*. This calls for prioritizing employability and upskilling strategies to build a resilient labor market.   To address this issue, the DIA Program launched the ”Jamaican Youth through Empowerment & Training” (JET) project, which aims to reskill and upskill youth in the most in-demand digital and soft skills and subsequently connect them with jobs or freelance opportunities or support them in developing entrepreneurial ventures.   The DIA Program has been working with Jamaican youth since 2016 through its DIA Urban Lab and the NCB Icon Lab, which has provided the program with extensive experience in these areas of operation. To make the JET Project Jamaica even more cutting-edge, DIA partnered with Citibeats, whose ethical AI platform designed the Employment and Skills Monitor. This enabled the program to identify trends in Jamaica’s labor market and quickly develop innovative training curricula that respond to real-time labor market needs. The Employment and Skills Monitor reveals that the three most in-demand digital skills among Jamaicans are programming, web and app development, artificial intelligence, and social media management. These findings, along with other relevant insights—such as the most in-demand skills by sector, general attitudes toward specific digital skills, and a global perspective on these areas—strengthen our efforts at the DIA Program to tailor our JET Project to what the people behind all these data points truly want, desire, and aspire to.    The partnership with Citibeats represents a powerful opportunity to leverage artificial intelligence and data to improve the lives of young people in Jamaica. The Employment and Skills Monitor provides an ethical and effective way to collect and analyze data, enabling organizations such as The Trust for the Americas—through the DIA Program—to make data-driven decisions that can help improve the lives of young people in Jamaica and beyond.   This is how the DIA Program’s JET Project Jamaica incorporated Citibeats’ Ethical AI platform to help Jamaican youth succeed in the digital economy by using data to drive social impact. To learn more, check out our latest report.  * Source: ILO (2022)

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Rodrigo Iriani Visits Belize to Advance in the Implementation of Code Caribbean 

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Innovation is the key to progress, and STEAM education provides the foundation for innovative thinking. Recognizing this, last month, Rodrigo Iriani, the DIA Senior Program Officer for the Trust in the Americas, visited Belize to further advance the implementation of the ”Code Caribbean” project. This initiative is unique in its methodology, which includes a pilot program that will train a pool of teachers in the education system in computer science to then expand essential technical skills in elementary and middle schools, thereby enhancing the future employability and readiness for continued education of youth aged 11–13 in Barbados and Belize.  During his school visits, Rodrigo was inspired by the teachers who were making the most of their resources to teach computer science to their 12- and 13-year-old students. He reflected on the vital importance of this project in fostering the development of future generations, as ”Code Caribbean” will spark greater interest in technology-oriented subjects among students, motivate young people to continue their computer science education, and prepare them for careers in technology.   Additionally, Rodrigo was joined by Pat Yongpradit, Academic Director of Code.org, and Namrita Melani, Network Administrator at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science, and Technology of Belize, to present the pilot project on Channel 5 Belize. They had the opportunity to provide further information and details about the scope and intended impact of the project. Pat Yongpradit emphasized that the project encouraged its beneficiaries to ”not be users of technology, but creators of technology.” The ”Code Caribbean” project is a promising approach in primary and secondary education to address the needs of vulnerable youth. By fostering closer ties between the Ministries of Education and the private sector, the project ensures that selected areas align with job opportunities, equipping students with the tools and skills they need to succeed in today’s technology-driven world.  For more information on the ’Code Caribbean” project, please visit the Trust for the Americas website. You can also listen to the full interview here to gain a better understanding of the project’s scope and learn about the importance of coding for developing countries. 

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The Important Task of Training Through Mobile Technology

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In recent days, volunteers from Ernst & Young (EY) Mexico trained nearly 30 people of various ages on digital and financial literacy. This was made possible thanks to the support of the local partner Centro Laboral México I.A.P. (Celamex), located in Mexico City.  To make this possible, the training was divided into two sessions: half the group had access to Celamex’s computer lab, while the other half took the courses on their cell phones.   EY volunteers were enthusiastic and eager to facilitate the courses, which are hosted on The Trust for the Americas“ Capacítate platform. This app was downloaded onto the participants” cell phones, and they had internet access from the Celamex computer lab.  Maria del Carmen Egremy, Corporate Social Responsibility Leader at EY Mexico and LAN, noted that this session provided a space for EY professionals to share their knowledge, experiences, and skills with Celamex beneficiaries.   She emphasized that “the World Bank tells us that by 2030, we will have approximately 100 million people living in extreme poverty as a result of climate change, and all the consequences that entails—not only environmental but also economic and related to human survival—because we only have one world; this kind of data makes us reflect on where we’re headed and what we want to do.”  For this reason, María del Carmen encouraged attendees to continue preparing themselves so they can adapt to the new situations and challenges facing the world; to do so, it will be necessary to propose innovative solutions that enable them to find employment opportunities.  In addition to sharing their knowledge, the volunteers shared personal stories that helped the participants complete their courses and that will help them apply what they’ve learned to their daily lives.   In her remarks, Lourdes Serrano, POETA Project Manager at The Trust for the Americas, highlighted that for more than 10 years, the partnership with Microsoft through the Economic Opportunities through Technology in the Americas Program, specifically through the implementation of the POETA DigiSpark Project, has benefited thousands of people in various countries across Latin America and the Caribbean, and it is thanks to this partnership that EY joined in 2022 to strengthen people’s technological skills.  Lourdes Serrano thanked the Celamex team for their support in organizing these training sessions, noting that “it is thanks to Celamex that they always welcome us and provide their support, but it is thanks to them that they bring us closer to you—the people who choose to participate with us.”   Gabriela Espinosa, Philanthropy Coordinator for Microsoft in Mexico, participated in this event and emphasized that the purpose of these training sessions is to help participants in both their professional and personal lives. She emphasized that “in today’s world, everything is deeply interconnected; the use of technology in our daily lives is becoming increasingly common, just as it is becoming more and more necessary to know how to use a smartphone or a computer—and while that may sound easy… it can actually be challenging or complicated.”  This event is part of a series of training sessions that will be held in various Latin American countries, in coordination with EY and Microsoft.  

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POETA Team spent time with women who graduated from the CIMA Project in Mexico 

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Meeting in person is very rewarding, especially when we have the opportunity to talk with people participating in our projects. Such was the case with Lourdes Serrano, POETA Project Manager in Mexico, and Karen Castro, Project Officer in Mexico, who visited the facilities of JCC (Jóvenes Constructores de la Comunidad, A.C.), a local partner that has been implementing the CIMA Project (Comprehensive Training for Women in Action) since 2022.  The purpose of this meeting was to meet with CIMA graduates, who shared their experiences during the training, as well as the challenges they faced in their first job interviews and how they overcame them.  Paola, a CIMA graduate, commented that when she first joined CIMA, she didn’t like working in a team because “I like to do things on my own, but I learned to recognize that support works.” In this way, Paola was able to lead more effectively and carry out her tasks alongside her colleagues. Thanks to the training, “I learned to develop a love for teamwork.” This exchange of experiences allowed the female graduates to better share their leadership experiences. In addition, they highlighted that the topics they enjoyed most were personal image, self-esteem, assertive communication, conflict resolution, and the support they provided to one another. Paola said, “When I arrived, I felt small; now I feel like I’m shining.” At the end of the gathering among the graduates, Carolina Klée, Operations Manager at JCC, organized a discussion with specialists from the hospitality industry, with the goal of learning more about the tourism sector. She mentioned that “the idea is for them to hear firsthand about these sectors, to be able to talk with these professionals, and to have their questions answered.”  This roundtable discussion featured Alberto Albarrán, Executive Director of the Mexico City Hotel Association; Daniela Maza and Silvia Camacho from Gastromotiva; Marilú Martinez from the Miguel Hidalgo Mayor’s Office; and José Ramón, Director of JCC.  The CIMA Project is implemented in Mexico by The Trust for the Americas, in partnership with SERAJ (Youth Services) and JCC (Young Community Builders), with funding from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. Since 2022, CIMA has sought to improve the overall well-being and financial independence of young women between the ages of 16 and 29 through in-person and/or virtual training and mentoring focused on technical, life, digital, and empowerment skills. In this way, CIMA supports the integration of project participants into the labor market within the hospitality industry in Mexico City. 

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The DIA Lab TT’s Participants Explore the Orange Economy Through the Caribbean Regional Workshop 

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In 2023, the DIA program began exploring new components to continue promoting innovation and creating opportunities for young people. Through this effort, we aim to remain at the forefront and adapt to global needs and trends. This is particularly true of the orange economy, an entirely new sector that encompasses the creative industries and activities involving the creation, production, and marketing of intangible and cultural content. We recognize that this sector offers many opportunities and will always remain relevant. Our initial foray into this sector began with the Regional Caribbean Workshop, designed for young people from Belize, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago to learn how to produce a professional short video from scratch using a hybrid format.   The workshop facilitator, Mr. Javier Molina from Ignite Belize, introduced participants to production, the basics of editing equipment, photography, and directing. Armed with these new skills, participants produced videos to raise awareness about the challenges facing their communities.   Chelsea Fraser, one of the workshop’s participants and a DIA Lab TT beneficiary, stated: ’I was impressed by Mr. Javier’s patience in answering all our questions and his enthusiasm for teaching us. I would have loved to have more in-person sessions like that and learn so much more from him and the rest of the group. The DSLR camera was amazing for taking professional-looking photos, and being able to use it to photograph products or use the gimbal to shoot short videos for advertisements would be fantastic for my business’s social media.’   These testimonials will encourage us to continue promoting innovation and providing opportunities in the orange economy, as they can inspire and influence current and future generations. We wish all the participants the best and can’t wait to see the incredible films the teams will present as they showcase their unique and creative perspectives and contributions. To learn more about the potential of the orange economy, check out the following blog. 

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The DIA Lab TT’s Implementing Partner Launched the CARIRI’S Food Processing Facility 

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Our implementing partner at the DIA Lab TT, the Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI), hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to launch CARIRI’s Food Processing Facility—an event where some young participants from the Lab and seed funding recipients had the opportunity to attend and showcase their ventures.   It is no secret that the food and beverage industry is facing widespread challenges related to profit margins, sustainability, regulatory compliance, and the need to invest in innovative technology. In this regard, food entrepreneurs seeking growth and expansion are limited by production capacity, as these businesses typically start in home kitchens.    Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) will need to secure raw materials, a workforce, equipment, and space as they scale up food production. Therefore, CARIRI recognized this need and designed the Food Processing Center to provide additional support to these brave young MSME owners in the food and beverage sector.   This is an incredible opportunity for all DIA Lab TT participants who are passionate about advancing their ventures in this industry. It represents a step forward in the offerings of the DIA Lab TT, as our objective is always to educate, train, and make a positive impact on communities through the ventures our participants create using the tools provided.   During the event, Jonathan Roach, one of the DIA Lab’s participants, garnered further recognition from the attendees. Jonathan launched his venture, “Seasoning Source,” in 2020. He then joined the DIA Lab in 2021 and participated in the Pitch Tank Competition, where he was awarded seed funding. The impact on his business plan and operations was clear; Jonathan went from producing 1 crate of seasoning to 80, thanks to the support and tools provided by the DIA Lab TT. At the CARIRI ribbon-cutting event, he garnered significant recognition from individuals interested in having the product delivered directly to them, food establishments, and national entities such as NAMDEVCO.   Like Jonathan, we want other young entrepreneurs to take advantage of the collaboration spaces, training, mentoring, access to technology, and seed funding opportunities offered by the DIA Lab TT, along with the well-trained staff and well-equipped facilities at CARIRI.   CARIRI’s Food Processing Facility will continue to expand its impact on individuals and their communities. It will become a center for innovation in the food and beverage sector that will spark a wave of social entrepreneurship. Congratulations on this milestone! 

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Yefry Nuñez, beneficiary of DIA Lab RD, is advancing with his venture READY Recycling

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According to an IDB study, the Dominican Republic generates approximately 88,000 metric tons of plastic waste per year. Of this amount, only 25% is managed, and the rest ends up in the Caribbean Sea and rivers, endangering the region’s development and the health of every citizen. Issues like this require immediate action. That is why, in the collaborative spaces created by the DIA Labs, we seek to foster a mindset focused on creating solutions and raising awareness about the impact on the environment. One example of this is Yefry Nuñez, a young participant in the DIA Lab in Baní and founder of READY Recycling, the first waste container that pre-sorts waste using a sliding lid that compresses the waste, increases storage capacity, and features digital sensors linked to a mobile app to automate the collection process. Yefry told us that, in January 2022, he made it his New Year’s resolution to research and develop an alternative to address this environmental problem. Since then, Yefry has been scaling up his project and participating in various social impact entrepreneurship competitions. First, he competed in his university’s internal contest, the UTESA Entrepreneurship Cup, where he was a finalist in the “Prototype” category. He then traveled across the country to participate in the Ideathon and the Innovative Projects Pitch Competition hosted by DIA Lab RD in Baní, where he took first place and won USD$1,000.00 in seed funding. This support allowed him to advance his venture by optimizing his business structure. Finally, Yefry won third place in the Impact Startup Competition (ISC), an international program where higher education students take on the challenge of developing social startups that improve the quality of life in Latin America. All of Yefry’s experiences reflect a young man committed to growing and making an impact in his country. Likewise, his Ready Recycling project represents a community that seeks to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At DIA Labs RD, we want to continue encouraging more young people to participate in solving local problems and take a leading role in the development of their communities. That is why we foster these disruptive spaces where young participants not only receive training based on a specialized curriculum but also engage in activities designed to push them out of their comfort zones, help them grow, encourage reflection, and transform them into agents of social and environmental change. 

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We Earned the 2022 Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid!

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At The Trust for the Americas, we are proud to have received the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency. This recognition is a significant achievement that demonstrates the organization’s commitment to the highest level of responsible fiscal management, accountability, and transparency. Receiving the Platinum Seal is not only a testament to our organization’s capabilities and efforts but also provides tangible benefits. For example, this distinction can boost donor confidence and trust, demonstrating that The Trust has met high standards. Candid connects people who want to change the world to the resources they need. Therefore, this Seal of Transparency is an excellent way for The Trust for the Americas to gain visibility within the nonprofit community. As a recipient of this seal, we will be able to increase our chances of attracting new partners to support our work in the Americas, leading to new opportunities and growth. At The Trust, we strive to excel in our work. This recognition serves as a reminder of our significant efforts to bridge regional gaps and provides an opportunity to continue pursuing excellence in order to maintain our platinum status.

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Darlyn Bueno Abreu, a beneficiary of DIA Lab RD, won the National Youth Award of La Vega with his startup Terra Alta

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Ever since we met Darlyn Bueno Abreu, a young beneficiary of DIA Lab RD La Vega, we’ve been impressed by his drive to help solve local challenges. He told us that the main problem facing farmers in La Vega was a lack of access to high-quality seeds. He also mentioned that a significant percentage of children in the Dominican Republic still suffer from chronic malnutrition, creating a social and economic situation that is difficult to resolve. To anyone reading this, this situation is alarming, but for young innovators like Darlyn, who are part of the DIA network, it is simply an opportunity to contribute to their communities. Here’s her story. As a participant in the DIA Lab RD, Darlyn was one of the winners of the Innovative Projects Pitch Competition, through which she received seed funding to launch her startup, “Terra Alta.” This initiative aims to establish community-managed seed banks and also serves as a knowledge bank for coordinated crop management and subsequent planting. Through this project, communities are empowered in their food production, with the ultimate goal of reducing malnutrition in the community of Constanza, in the municipality of La Vega.   This groundbreaking story doesn’t end there. Darlyn won the La Vega National Youth Award in the category of contributions to human rights. This category is based on the promotion of the rights of children, adolescents, and youth. Factors such as active participation in programs for the development of these populations, advocacy on relevant issues, the creation of spaces for development, and the project’s level of impact were also taken into account. This type of award encourages young people to get involved in fostering solutions to local problems through their ideas. This is precisely what DIA Labs in the Dominican Republic aims to achieve; Dylan himself described it as “a great opportunity for young people with lots of ideas to get that initial push. First, through education and training on how to run a business. Then, by preparing us to launch into the market with that innovative idea.” Through Terra Alta, Dylan created a collaborative community for training and promoting sustainable and safe production that will provide a network of small rural producers with opportunities in new markets. This project also promotes social integration, innovation in business models through digitalization and value creation, and, above all, a vital social mission: reducing child malnutrition. 

Darlyn Bueno Abreu, a beneficiary of DIA Lab RD, won the National Youth Award of La Vega with his startup Terra Alta Read More »