New Innovation Lab for Youth in Belize

The Innovation Lab for Youth in Belize will train and empower youth, while generating livelihood opportunities and promoting good governance in the country. 

In partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Belmopan, The Trust for The Americas, an NGO affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS), will launch an Innovation Lab for youth in Belize City. The Democratizing Innovation in the Americas (DIA) program will train and empower over 300 Belizeans, foster multi-stakeholder collaboration, and support a long-term process to spur innovative ideas. The program will also improve local government services and strengthen the youth’s skills of participating in the country’s economy.  

The DIA Labs operate in Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Colombia, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. Their unique environment nurtures innovation and entrepreneurship while providing development opportunities to young people in Latin America and the Caribbean. Through access to technology, collaborative spaces, training, and competitive seed funds, young people acquire tools to develop sustainable business solutions and social projects that tackle local challenges.  

With a specialized curricula in topics such as; digital literacy, coding, canvas business model, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, citizen participation, GovTech among others, the DIA Lab in Belize will aim to create an agents-of-change network. Successful implementation engages youth, academia, civil society actors and local governments to generate livelihood opportunities in vulnerable communities, and further progressive governance in the country.  

To secure operations, each DIA Lab is implemented by a local partner that provides participants with guidance and support. The soon-to-be-launched lab in Belize will operate within The University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus, a modern, future-driven academy. With a mission to advance learning, knowledge, and innovation for the positive transformation of the Caribbean, this organization represents an ideal collaborator.  

The DIA Lab in Belize is part of “Democratizing Innovation in the Americas” (DIA), a regional initiative launched by The Trust for the Americas to teach and enable generations and strengthen government capacities. In Belize, DIA successfully implemented two projects: “Promoting an Open Government Ecosystem in Belize” and “Transformation to an Open Public Administration”. 

Since its inception in 2016, the DIA Program has impacted the lives of over 7,900 young people and representatives from diverse social sectors. It has also granted funds for 195 people with social and economic ventures.   

If you would like to participate in training sessions and upcoming activities organized by the DIA Lab in Belize, kindly register using this link  

For more information, please contact local coordinator Audrey Robin (arobin@trust-oea.org). 

For updates on the DIA Lab in Belize, follow its Facebook page.

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About The Trust for the Americas: 

The Trust for the Americas is a non-profit organization affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS). Established in 1997 to promote public and private partnerships, The Trust has implemented projects in 24 countries and worked with over 1,000 organizations in the region. Our initiatives seek to promote educational and economic opportunities as well as government accountability and transparency. 

Our unique alliance with the OAS allows us to have access to decision-makers within the region. This foundational partnership is the basis through which we create strong networks across member states and the private sector. Through the evolution of our region, The Trust continues to endure by facing challenges through strategic partnerships that promote cooperation for sustainable results. TheTrust for the Americas es una organización sin fines de lucro 501 (c) (3).   

 Visit: www.trustfortheamericas.org 

Facebook: The Trust for the Americas  Twitter:   @Trust4Americas 

About Democratizing Innovation in the Americas (DIA): 

DIA is a regional initiative launched to foster innovation and empower new generations through access to technology training, specialized curricula, collaboration spaces, mentorship, and financial resources for social and economic ventures. LINK