"""D'Hub is a key initiative of the MDT designed to empower local developers with the tools, resources and support needed to drive innovative and impactful digital solutions for Trinidad & Tobago and the rest of the world. It is an ecosystem of digital technology, services and support intended to: Improve and expand local software development capabilities, encourage innovation and strengthen entrepreneurship in the digital sector, grow the digital economy and its contribution to GDP, build innovative digital solutions for Government to advance the digital transformation agenda and create and support new career paths for citizens.

Key Accomplishments to date:
- In less than 4 months of its launch, D'Hub surpassed its target of 400 members for its 1st year. To date membership is 683.
- Female participation has steadily increased and is now at 30%. With current plans, we hope to increase this amount to 50%in the near future.
- Age is no barrier -D'Hub has members of ages 18 to 60+
- D'Hub has garnered members across the nation, reflecting a widespread geographic outreach and diverse representation.
- There have been 234 enrollments in Linux Foundation Courses & Uptake of 42 SimpliLearn Licenses and 94 Coursera Licenses by D'Hub members thus far. Additional licenses will be distributed in the upcoming months.
- Government Agencies have started to embrace the GovTech Approach- 12 Challenges were received and 5 Shortlisted.
- 50 Proposals received from D'Hub members (total of 61 participants)
- 15 Teams selected and awarded TT$50,000 to develop their idea into a Proof of Concept (POC) (total of 29 participants)
- 15 POCs completed and currently being evaluated for an award of TT$350,000 to develop into MVP.

It's worthwhile to mention also that D'Hub received the Inter-American Development Bank's President's Award for Innovation in the Public Sector, highlighting its commitment to innovation and the government's dedication to digital transformation in T&T.
"""

https://dhub.mdt.gov.tt/

• Latin America and the Caribbean

• Youth
• Older persons
• Women
• People with disabilities
• The unemployed

"""D’Hub’s replicability stems from it’s layered and adaptable structure, which serves as a robust, yet flexible framework that can be applied in any country aiming to foster digital innovation and growth of its digital economy. In particular, it is most valuable to other Caribbean Nations and Small Island Developing States, that face similar challenges to T&T such as; limited local software development capabilities, the imperative for enhanced Government e-Services, the need to reduce reliance on imported software solutions and the need to grow the digital economy and contribute to economic diversification efforts.

The D’Hub framework comprises 4 distinct layers - Technology Infrastructure layer , Foundational layer, Enabling layer and Value-Added layer. Within each layer are components that can be tailored to suit the specific needs and context of a country. While the layers ensure consistency in achieving the objectives and benefits, the flexibility of the components within each layer allow for customization to accommodate the unique context and needs of each country.

For e.g. The D'Hub Challenge Series, a key component of the enabling layer, offers a structured framework for local talent to propose and implement innovative digital solutions and business ideas aimed at addressing important public sector, social, economic, and environmental needs in the country. The established framework provides flexibility for the country to address specific challenges that are of high priority for them, without the need to recreate or reinvent a process

Similarly, the business development support and mentorship components of the value-added layer can be adapted to accommodate the diverse needs of the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystems. For e.g. In regions with a burgeoning startup culture, the focus may be on scaling support and access to funding, while in others, it may be on fostering a culture of innovation and risk-taking."""

"D'Hub's sustainability is woven into its design to serve as a dynamic ecosystem, fostering continuous innovation, adaptability, and resilience. Its current and future strategic partnerships with public sector, private sector, academia, non-profit and civil society organizations, provide for a robust foundation for long-term support and collaboration, ensuring financial viability and diverse resource streams. In terms of future evolution, D'Hub has an inherent scalability that allows it to adapt and evolve with the ever-changing tech landscape, staying at the forefront of industry trends and emerging technologies. D'Hub's commitment to ongoing community building is a key driver of sustainability. By nurturing a vibrant network of developers, entrepreneurs, and industry experts, D'Hub cultivates a self-sustaining community that propels collective growth. D'Hub's emphasis on skills development and capacity-building programs ensures a continuous influx of talent, guaranteeing the program's vitality in the face of evolving technological paradigms. In essence, D'Hub is a living, breathing ecosystem that thrives on collaboration, innovation, and community, ensuring its sustainability as a pioneering force in the tech landscape for years to come."

The Developers' Hub (D'Hub) is an embodiment of WSIS values, At its core, D'Hub aligns with WSIS's primary goal of providing universal access to information and communication technologies. It serves as a transformative force, strategically focused on; capacity building and providing equitable access to tools and technologies, ensuring the digital inclusion espoused by WSIS. D'Hub nurtures the information society of T&T, allowing any citizen residing in the country to build and enhance their ICT skills, thereby building a robust information society that allows persons to work in teams, share information, collaborate with public institutions and community organizations, and jointly co-create digital solutions for the benefit of the country. D'Hub is a vibrant ecosystem that actively encourages innovation, creating a culture of creativity and collaborative problem-solving within the tech community. The D'Hub Challenge Series is one example of a program offered by D'Hub that that fosters this. Through these robust public-private partnerships, D'Hub exemplifies the WSIS vision of holistic ICT development, underlining the shared commitment between the government and the private sector. The impact of D'Hub extends beyond individual skill development; it empowers communities, contributing to economic empowerment and social progress and resonates well with the WSIS agenda of leveraging ICT for societal advancement. The recognition garnered by D'Hub, including prestigious awards is a testament of its commitment to excellence—a core WSIS value celebrating achievements in the information society. D'Hub embraces regional and global collaboration, with existing and future partners sharing knowledge and experiences thus contributing to the collective effort of building a digitally inclusive and innovative world. In doing so, it embodies WSIS values not only within Trinidad and Tobago but also serves as a global ambassador, fortifying the global digital ecosystem through its commitment to WSIS principles