Experts from the Institute of International Education (IIE) attended the Central America Donors Forum (CADF) in Guatemala City last month, joining 900 leaders across civil society, philanthropy, government, and business representing 500 organizations across 27 countries.
Under the theme, “Adaptation in Action: Reimagining a Regional Effort for Strategic Change and Solidarity,” participants discussed strategies for advancing sustainable development and strengthening local leadership and regional resilience in a rapidly changing regional landscape. As a CADF sponsor and participant, IIE joined these conversations to listen, learn, and amplify evidence-based strategies for expanding educational opportunity, developing future leaders, and strengthening workforce readiness across the region.
The conversations took place against a significant geopolitical backdrop; the Western Hemisphere’s changing landscape presents new possibilities for forging regional partnerships focused on the expansion of economic cooperation and coordination of efforts to address migration and security challenges. Speakers resoundingly stressed acompañamiento—or accompaniment—highlighting that lasting progress requires investment in leaders who understand their communities’ needs and opportunities as well as collaboration across sectors. Donors increasingly expressed interest in supporting institutions with strong local credibility, contextual knowledge, and proven impact.
Ford IFP: Bold Philanthropic Investment Drives Multiplier Effects
Trusted by governments, foundations, universities, and businesses, IIE’s Latin America and the Caribbean regional office has been delivering programs that empower professionals, support civil society, and create opportunities for displaced persons for more than 50 years.
To highlight IIE’s services, team members hosted a lightning session led by Brenda Xum, a Guatemalan alumna of the Ford Foundation’s International Fellowships Program (IFP). Fellows from Latin America were among more than 4,300 participants who earned advanced degrees with funding through the fellowship, which ran from 2001 to 2013. Brenda’s presentation explored how targeted investments in education and leadership development as well as long-term support can transform not only individual lives but entire communities.
Brenda’s story also reinforced findings from Weaving Journeys of Social Change and Impact, the culminating publication for the IFP tracking study conducted by IIE’s Research, Evaluation and Learning team. The study documented quantitative and qualitative evidence of the fellowship’s impacts over the course of 10 years. Outcomes show that IFP graduates are now community leaders, advocates, educators, entrepreneurs, and institution-builders whose work generates lasting social impact.
The session drew approximately 50 attendees and sparked conversations about how philanthropy and higher education can help cultivate the next generation of leadership across Central America. IIE was represented by Philippa Nuttall, Head of IIE’s Latin America and the Caribbean regional office, Amy Eappen, Chief Financial Officer, and Sara De La Torre Beron, Program Development Lead.
Education and Workforce Development Persist as Key Priorities
Leaders across sectors reinforced the importance of aligning education with economic opportunity. Participants called for workforce readiness, internships, leadership development, and employment pathways as critical components of growth. They also pointed to the need for stronger connections among educators, employers, philanthropic organizations, and communities.
By leveraging insights gained through forums like CADF, IIE combines its global expertise with regional relationships to advance initiatives that support educational access, leadership development, and workforce growth. IIE demonstrates our commitment to designing and implementing programs that catalyze economic mobility and community resilience throughout Central America through programs such as:
- The NextGen Service Fellowship—powered by IIE with support from the Rockefeller Foundation—enables U.S. college students interested in public service careers to gain experience in international development while addressing the needs of communities overseas. Fellows participate in immersive, hands-on experiences working in and with communities around the world, including in Mexico and Colombia in Latin America.
- The IIE Odyssey Scholarship provides comprehensive funding for displaced students to pursue undergraduate or graduate programs. Since its founding in 2021, IIE has awarded more than 200 Odyssey scholarships from 24 countries, including to students from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. IIE’s office in Mexico City identifies talented refugees from across Latin America and provides them with comprehensive support to pursue their higher education goals in Mexico.
- IIE worked with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) to implement a series of Care Learning Trips (CLTs), bringing U.S.-based leaders together to learn from approaches to care in other countries. Participants included nonprofit leaders and early childhood educators working to strengthen support for children, families, and caregivers. The trips explored ways to advance care as a public good and inform efforts to strengthen care systems in the United States. IIE managed several CLTs on behalf of RWJF in 2025, including a trip to Colombia.
Whether addressing migration or economic development, investment in higher education, leadership development, and locally rooted organizations will continue to rise as essential components in the region’s sustainable progress.
Through research, partnerships, and educational opportunity, IIE remains committed to developing leaders and helping build a more resilient and prosperous future for Central America. We look forward to continuing our work with governments, employers, and civil society organizations to expand access to education, leadership development, and workforce training across the region and around the world.
Learn more about IIE’s Latin America & the Caribbean regional office.
