Citi Foundation and Trust for the Americas launch DIA Urban Lab for Youth Innovation in Trinidad

PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD Y TOBAGO, January 28, 2021 - The Urban Lab for Youth Innovation in Trinidad will impact 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, DIA Young Participant from Jamaica said, “DIA Camp is a tremendous opportunity for all those innovators who want to take their projects to a next level. I received training, attended the Bootcamp, and won the pitch competition. Many young people think innovation is a sophisticated word and are afraid to explore entrepreneurship, but our job market demands to think outside the box, network as much as we can, and think about 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 generate affordable access and livelihood opportunities for their communities on a long-term, sustainable basis. Some activities include Ideathons, mentorships, training, Pitch Tank competitions, and seed-fund 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 using access to technology training, collaboration spaces, specialized curricula, mentorship, and financial support for their start-ups. The goal is to activate the hidden talents of youth in poverty and vulnerable to criminality. DIA is currently present in Belize, Costa Rica, Colombia, Jamaica, Panama, and Mexico.

From 2016 to 2020, over 1,350 youth took part in the DIA Urban Lab in Kingston, Jamaica. At least 85 of them are now running entrepreneurship ventures, while others have found employment. For 2021, The Trust proposes adding a DIA Lab in Trinidad and Tobago. Both of the Labs will form the basis 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 access to more opportunities and new skills to the Caribbean youth, aimed at creating more agents of change in their communities.

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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.trustfortheamericas.org  

Facebook: The Trust for the Americas  Twitter:   @Trust4Americas 

Questions? Contact:       

Rodrigo Iriani

Senior Program Manager

ririani@trust-oea.org