DIA Labs, a Trust for the Americas Project supported by the Citi Foundation, Celebrated Innovation and Community Impact in Jamaica
Kingston Jamaica. February, 2025. The Trust's DIA Labs in Jamaica held a Meet & Greet event to mark the programme's cycle closing. Representatives from Citi, The Trust for the Americas, an affiliated to the Organization of American States (OAS), the Institute of Law and Economics (ILE), and the LASCO Foundation, along with four outstanding program participants, attended the event at the LASCO Foundation Headquarters.
The event highlighted the young entrepreneurs who have benefited from an initiative designed to foster innovation, provide business development training, and equip young Jamaicans with the tools needed to succeed.
During the session, Jamaica Citi Country Officer Eva Lewis expressed her admiration for the programme's impact and ability to sustain the entrepreneurial spirit of Jamaica's youth. "Every time I participate in sessions with DIA Lab, I always leave with hope. I leave inspired, and I can't tell you how happy I am to see the sustainability of the project, as well as the continued perseverance and motivation of our young people here in Jamaica," said Lewis.
She commended the dedication of the DIA Labs’ participants and congratulated the entrepreneurs who showcased their businesses, noting their passion and commitment to making an impact.
DIA Lab's Impact Across the Region
The Trust for the Americas’ DIA Labs project in Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, and the Dominican Republic, supported by the Citi Foundation's Pathways to Progress initiative, has empowered young innovators and disruptive entrepreneurs to develop low-cost, high-impact solutions and livelihood opportunities for their communities.
In 2016, the first DIA Lab was launched in Jamaica. Since then, the programme has achieved significant milestones across the three countries:
- Over 9,500 young people have benefitted from DIA Labs' training and awareness activities.
- More than 860 participants have started or strengthened their social or business entrepreneurship projects.
- Approximately 471 participants have received funding for innovative projects or ventures through the programme's emblematic Pitch Tank competitions.
These results demonstrate how innovative solutions can drive inclusion and resilience, ultimately building a more sustainable society. The DIA Labs' success is a testament to the power of innovation, entrepreneurship, and youth empowerment to shape a brighter future for the region.
Chairman James E.D. Rawle, representing the LASCO Foundation as a new lab funding partner, emphasized the importance of continued investment in youth entrepreneurship."The LASCO Foundation is proud to support initiatives like the DIA Lab Programme that provide young entrepreneurs with the skills and resources they need to succeed. We firmly believe that investing in youth innovation is investing in Jamaica's future, and we remain committed to nurturing the next generation of business leaders," said Rawle.
***
About The Trust for the Americas:
The Trust for the Americas is a non-profit 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 as well as to foster innovation in vulnerable communities in 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.thetrustfortheamericas.org
