AES Foundation and The Trust for the Americas completed the "Proyecto Potenciando el Emprendimiento Innovador en República Dominicana

Dominican Republic (13-12-2019) - The AES Dominicana Foundation and The Trust for the Americas, an affiliate of the Organization of American States (OAS), completed the "Strengthening Innovative Entrepreneurship" project strengthening local entrepreneurship in the municipalities of Boca Chica, Guayacanes, Quisqueya, Bancos de Arena and la Malena.

More than 150 entrepreneurs in those municipalities completed the training in the Canvas Business Model. Participants also acquired tools to strengthen their business concepts.  By increasing entrepreneurial skills the project will contribute to the socio-economic development of communities of Boca Chica, Guayacanes, and Quisqueya, sustainably.

The project sponsored an entrepreneurial fair on December 9 – 11. Participants competed for an investment funds  by  explaining their business plan for the development or expansion of their business. The winners were recognized by AES’ Fondos Concursables.

Judges from AES Dominicana, The Trust for the Americas, and other experts in business development selected the winning projects. Participants were evaluated on various criteria such as financial viability, sustainability, creativity, innovation, and coherence of their business model, among other criteria.

The participants spent two months in training and the development of their business model under the leadership of Luz Marina Correa, Project Manager of The Trust for the Americas. The winning ventures will continue to receive personalized mentoring and advice until March 2020 by Trust for the Americas’ strategic allies IOTIC and Social Cube.

AES and The Trust have successfully implemented Fondos Concursables for entrepreneurs and future entrepreneurs. The alliance between AES and The Trust created technology centers for people to acquire skills in digital literacy as well as preparing participants for the job world and entrepreneurship. This fund has impacted citizens in El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, and Panama, countries where AES has a presence and where the company has developed social responsibility programs aimed at communities.

The project concluded with events in:

• Boca Chica, at the Salón Múltiple la Casona

• Quisqueya, at the Salón Parroquial
• Guayacanes, Conucos, at the Justicia Eterna church
• Bancos de Arena y la Malena, at the Gallera la Malena

About the Dominican AES Foundation

The AES Dominicana Foundation is the Corporate Social Responsibility entity for the AES Dominicana group. Since its creation in 2007, it sponsored essential projects in the areas of education and health, including sponsoring more than 10,000 students of elementary schools in Haina, Boca Chica, and Los Mina and partnering with the Dominican Rehabilitation Association (ADR). The result of this alliance has benefited more than one million people.

AES also maintains a recycling program for communities near AES operations to create a lifestyle for youth and adults to support a 3Rs culture (Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling) to improve the environment over the long term.

About AES Corporation:

It is a Fortune 200 global energy company. It provides affordable and sustainable energy to 15 countries through a diverse portfolio of distribution businesses, as well as thermal and renewable generation facilities.

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