Guatemala City, July 30, 2026. In July, Trust for the Americas completed a series of in-person training sessions in three departments of Guatemala as part of the TECLA project, funded by SBA Communications. The initiative enabled more than 130 people to strengthen their skills in entrepreneurship, digital literacy, and artificial intelligence, with an emphasis on training facilitators who will share this knowledge within their communities.
Chiquimula: intensive entrepreneurship workshop for youth
In partnership with INTECAP, 41 young people participated in an intensive workshop focused on the Canvas business model, design tools, artificial intelligence, social media, and business marketing. To conclude, three AI toolkits focused on entrepreneurship, education, and employability were delivered, which the youth will be able to continue using.
Guatemala City: institutional strengthening on three fronts
The Trust trained 29 trainers from MuniTec, ImpulsaTec, and the Women’s Affairs Office of the Municipality of Guatemala in the Internet of Things, app development, web design, artificial intelligence, and gender-sensitive business models. The participants gained hands-on experience with electronic kits that they will later use to develop their own Internet of Things (IoT) projects.
Additionally, 15 trainers from the Meritorious Committee for the Blind and Deaf were trained in artificial intelligence applied to inclusive education and entrepreneurship. These trainers will replicate the knowledge in their institution, which directly serves 295 people.
During this event, the Meritorious Committee presented a commemorative medal for its 80 years of work to María Olga Santiesteban, representative of SBA Communications, and to Dacia Aragón, of the Office of the General Secretariat of the OAS in Guatemala.
Alta Verapaz: permanent capacities in the territory
In partnership with FEDECOVERA, 48 people (28 facilitators and 20 entrepreneurs) participated in an intensive artificial intelligence and digital marketing workshop, reinforcing a training model aimed at building permanent capacities in the communities.
Luz Marina Correa, senior project manager, stated:“Every training process we promote leaves behind established capacity in the regions through teachers, facilitators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders who multiply knowledge and generate new opportunities for local economic development. This is only possible when connectivity is understood as a right and as an engine that drives innovation, inclusion, and community growth.”
Looking ahead to the coming months, TECLA will continue its expansion: in August, a virtual training cycle will kick off with HOSAGUA, the Trifinio Women's Network, which brings together more than 600 female producers and cooperative members in Guatemala. In November, the Honorable Committee and INTECAP Chiquimula will hold an inclusive entrepreneurship fair and a business matchmaking event, respectively, to showcase the projects of the individuals trained during the project.
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About The Trust for the Americas:
The Trust for the Americas is a nonprofit organization that promotes social and economic inclusion by equipping people with the key skills they need to thrive in the new world of work. As an affiliate of the Organization of American States (OAS), The Trust forges strategic partnerships with the public, private, academic, and civil society sectors to expand opportunities throughout the region. With nearly 30 years of experience, it has impacted more than 6.5 million people in 30 countries, driving the development of economic opportunities and fostering innovation as a driver of progress in the Americas.
Press Contact
Carlos Escalante
Communications Manager
The Trust for the Americas
cescalante@oas.org