Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago — The U.S. Embassy in Port of Spain has officially announced the 2026 cohort of young professionals from Trinidad and Tobago selected to participate in the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Fellowship Programme — a flagship United States Department of State initiative that empowers emerging entrepreneurs and innovative civil society leaders across the Western Hemisphere. 

The Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) is designed to strengthen leadership, entrepreneurial skills, and professional networks among selected fellows by offering a structured leadership curriculum and hands-on professional development opportunities, including placements with U.S. businesses and organizations. Since its launch in 2015, the YLAI Fellowship has connected hundreds of entrepreneurs from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada to resources and partnerships that support business growth and community impact. 

What the YLAI Fellowship Offers

Participants in the YLAI Programme benefit from a range of professional development components, including:

• A comprehensive entrepreneurial leadership curriculum combining online and in-person skill building and mentorship. 

• A four-week professional placement with U.S. entrepreneurial hosts, giving fellows real-world business exposure and collaboration opportunities. 

• Networking events and closing forums that help integrate fellows into a broader hemispheric network of business and social leaders. 

The programme fosters sustainable linkages, encourages investment, and expands opportunities for growth, innovation, and community development once fellows return home. It is open to emerging leaders from across the Americas between the ages of 25 and 35 with demonstrated entrepreneurial or social venture experience. 

Local Impact and Opportunities

For Trinidad and Tobago, participation in the YLAI Fellowship represents a chance for young professionals to access international mentorship, deepen business skills, and build partnerships that can accelerate economic and social initiatives locally. Past cohorts have gone on to further scale their ventures and broaden their influence across sectors ranging from technology and agriculture to creative industries and social enterprise. 

The announcement from the U.S. Embassy highlights continued collaboration between Trinidad and Tobago and the United States in fostering leadership, innovation, and shared prosperity for youth throughout the Caribbean. 

Sources: U.S Embassy T&T, IREX, TT Newsday