Promote Sutainable Entrepreneurship Initiatives: Through training and mentorship on entrepreneurship and financial literacy, POETA DigiSpark aims to foster the creation and growth of Indigenous entrepreneurship initiatives. Additionally, by facilitating access to seed capital, POETA DigiSpark supports selected entrepreneurship initiatives, contributing to local economic growth and self-reliance within these communities.
POETA DigiSpark Indigenous Communities
Project under implementation
Description
Indigenous communities across Latin America and the Caribbean face numerous obstacles when it comes to embracing the digital transformation. Limited access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) and inadequate digital skills are among the primary barriers hindering the effective utilization of these technologies (IDB, 2021; OECD, 2021). In Mexico, states such as Guerrero, Chiapas, and Oaxaca are home to sizable Indigenous populations, facing higher rates of poverty (CONEVAL, 2021), and experiencing limited access to internet (INEGI, 2021).
Through POETA DigiSpark for Indigenous Peoples, The Trust for the Americas, in partnership with AMEXTRA and CELAMEX, seeks to empower people ages 16 and over from Indigenous communities in the states of Chiapas, Estado de Mexico Guerrero, Oaxaca and Veracruz through technology. Through culturally sensitive and locally adapted contents translated to Tzotzil, Tzeltal and Chol on 21st century skills, we seek to enable Indigenous participants to access livelihood opportunities, incluing the creation or strengthening of entrepreneurships. By equipping participants with digital, technical and life skills, they will be better prepared to take charge of their entrepreneurial endeavors and drive positive change within their communities.
Also, POETA DigiSpark for Indigenous Peoples provides training to community leaders and trainers of all levels and disciplines as multiplier agents with the ability to empower others with the skills for tomorrow.
In response to connectivity barriers, our implementing partners implement an itinerant training approach, bringing the training directly to rural or remote communities.
Finally, with the goal of boosting livelihoods in these communities and advancing Indigenous businesses, POETA DigiSpark facilitates access to seed capital to support selected entrepreneurship initiatives. This financial support aims to encourage local entrepreneurship and nurture self-reliance within Indigenous populations.
Project purpose
Through its implementing partners, AMEXTRA and CELAMEX, POETA DigiSpark for Indigenous Peoples in Mexico provides tailored training on key digital, technical, and financial contents to empower participants from Indigenous communities with the knowledge and skills required to thrive in the digital age and leverage technology for the benefit of their entrepreneurships.
Project goals
Training Community Leaders and Facilitators as Multiplier Agents: By providing specialized training to teachers, facilitators and community leaders who can act as multipliers of these contents within their communities, POETA DigiSpark promotes sustainability as it ensures that the impact of the project extends beyond its initial implementation.
Bridging the Digital Skills Gap in Indigenous Communities: POETA DigiSpark seeks to adress the digital gap that exists in Indigenous communities in the states of Chiapas, Estado de Mexico, Guerrero, Oaxaca and Veracruz. Through tailored courses (adapted and translated to fit local needs) on digital literacy and technical skills, the project aims to empower participants with the knowledge and skills required to thrive in the digital age and leverage technology for productive purposes.
Main achievements
Structure
1
The Trust and Microsoft’s 15+ years of partnership have allowed our missions to align towards empowering vulnerable communities in the Americas through the access, use, and appropriation of technology.
In 2023, The Trust serves as a vehicle for Microsoft's Global Skilling Initiative to reach Indigenous communities in Mexico. Through POETA DigiSpark, we empower individuals with digital, technical and life skills , mentorship and seed capital to foster sustainable opportunities for a brighter and more inclusive future.
Strategic partners
Success Stories
POETA DigiSpark encourages Estrella to ignite a spark of Innovation in Tepelmeme’s youth
Tepelmeme, Oaxaca
Estrella (18) lives in Tepelmeme, Oaxaca, and is currently in her final year of high school. Despite facing several economic difficulties, her parents have made sure Estrella has access to education and the services offered in their community. Estrella, in turn, has been proactive in looking for learning opportunities that might help her navigate her transition from high school to a potential bachelor’s degree or her first job. With this in mind, Estrella decided to enroll in Celamex’s Financial Literacy, Job Readiness and Digital Literacy courses. During Celamex's courses, Estrella gained expertise on the use of digital tools, becoming familiar with terms that were once daunting, but now completely familiar. Through her training, Estrella realized the potential such tools have to enhance her digital skills and allow her to more effectively navigate the job market. Additionally, throughout her training process, Estrella came up with some entrepreneurial ideas, and so she is now facing the exciting challenge of envisioning a business venture that could provide her with an income. Estrella is aware that resources in her community are limited, but she also sees the potential to create products and services that positively impact her environment and fellow community members. Through POETA DigiSpark, Estrella was able to expand her vision on entrepreneurship and innovation, while also strengthening key skills for her to stand-out in the labor market and throughout her professional career. She is now eager to explore how young people from other states and countries generate innovative products, and how she could bring these ideas into Tepelmeme.
hrough Jnasëshop Miriam and Alejandra’s Connect Digital Entrepreneurships with Tepelmeme’s Artisan Traditions
Tepelmeme, Oaxaca
Miriam (17) and Alejandra (17) are two friends from the IEBO high school at Tepelmeme, a rural municipality with less than 2,000 residents in Oaxaca. Striving to overcome the limited economic opportunities in Tepelmeme, they decided to embark on a unique entrepreneurial venture: Jnasëshop – an online shop to commercialize Tepelmeme’s signature artisanal products. After setting up the foundations of their entrepreneurship, Miriam and Alejandra started to look for opportunities to refine their business idea. They first heard about POETA DigiSpark through the Scientific and Entrepreneurship Fair that Celamex, POETA DigiSpark’s local partner, implements in Tepelmeme in partnership with Oaxaca’s Education Department. After participating in the fair, Miriam and Alejandra enrolled in the Business Canva, Digital Skills and Job Readiness courses offered by Celamex. During these training courses, they recognized the potential of digital skills to promote their artisanal products beyond their local community. Inspired by their region's rich traditions and heritage in textiles, they sought ways to create new products that preserved their cultural tradition of using palm fiber, while adding functionality for their daily use. Through this entrepreneurial initiative, which is still at a very young stage, these two friends seek to boost their local economy by helping artisans preserve these traditions and attracting customers through social medial platforms. With the support of POETA DigiSpark, Miriam and Alejandra's entrepreneurial journey shines as a testament to the power of innovation to preserve cultural heritage and create a positive impact within their local community.
Which of the following SDGS (Sustainable Development Goals) this project support?
