Partners of the Americas invites you to submit a proposal to host a session or workshop for the 2026 What Works Conference. Attendees drive the content of the conference based on the sessions and workshops given.This year’s theme is Bridging the Americas: Connecting Communities, which recognizes Partners of the Americas’ unique approach to bringing the right mix of players – volunteers, development professionals, governments, civil society organizations, and higher education institutions – to the table to match resources, knowledge, and passion to need.
This conference will focus on member empowerment and emphasize cross-cultural exchange and collaboration across economic classes and geographic boundaries. The What Works Conference will provide opportunities for meaningful, authentic, and positive international collaboration and community-building experiences for attendees that support the power of grassroots efforts of leaders and volunteers to take charge of the impact in their own communities.Submission formats include panels, workshops, and trainings. While the specific topics are listed above, alternative topics are welcome.
Sessions/Panels – are informative lectures or roundtable discussions of experts in a particular subject of 50 minutes. The session/panel may be led by two-four facilitators/speakers. These sessions highlight initiatives and/or issues of concern. There may be a question/answer component, but the panelists do most of the speaking.
Workshops - are interactive, in-depth facilitated discussions of 80 minutes. The workshop may be led by one or two facilitators. The workshop may include additional speakers but should emphasize the interaction and participation by all session attendees (such as sharing best practices, working on a text together, demonstrating an activity, problem solving, or any other productive interaction).
Trainings - are 80 minute sessions led by one or two trainers and focus on building specific competencies that participants can immediately apply in their work or community. These sessions emphasize demonstration, guided practice, and tangible takeaways, such as improved communication techniques, grant writing strategies, digital tools, or leadership skills. While workshops emphasize exchange and discussion, Skills Development sessions prioritize practical application and capacity building.
The goal of this theme is to provide practitioners with the tools and knowledge to effectively advocate for development efforts that prioritize the needs and priorities of local communities.
Best practices, innovations, and challenges in locally led agricultural development and food security programs within the Americas.
Sessions under this theme would discuss ways to empower local communities to achieve food security and to promote sustainable agricultural practices that improve livelihoods.
This theme highlights approaches to create jobs, strengthen small businesses, and expand economic opportunity. Sessions may cover entrepreneurship, workforce readiness, tourism, local enterprise growth, and cross-sector partnerships that boost community prosperity.
Sessions under this theme will focus on improving quality education and making learning relevant to local contexts. Topics may include innovative approaches, education strategies, youth engagement, digital learning tools, and lifelong learning as a driver of personal and community development.
Exchanges bring people together across borders to learn, share, and build lasting connections. Sessions in this theme may feature innovative exchange models, alumni impact stories, and strategies for using exchanges to foster leadership, collaboration, and cross-cultural understanding.
This theme centers on equipping current and emerging leaders, including Chapter leaders, with practical tools to drive change in their communities. Sessions may include skill-building in communication, project management, fundraising, volunteer engagement, social media and marketing, or mentoring, with a focus on applying these skills in real-world contexts.
Sessions will showcase best practices for designing, implementing, and sustaining initiatives led by communities, including rural or urban communities. Topics may include governance, capacity building, accountability, and strategies for ensuring development efforts are community-owned, relevant, and sustainable.
In your proposal, select the type of presentation (session, workshop, or training) you intend to present as well as any other additional information that you will need for a successful implementation.
Sessions
Sessions will be 50 minutes* in length.
Workshops and Trainings
Sessions will be 80 minutes* in length.
*Subject to change upon review and availability of space.
Each session/workshop proposal will be reviewed by Partners of the Americas in accordance with the review rubric.
Each proposal will be rated on a scale of 1-5 for:
Call For Proposals Opens: September 10, 2025
Call For Proposals Closes: October 31, 2025
Decision Notifications: Week of November 10, 2025
What Works Program Announced: November 15, 2025
What Works 2026 (Panamá): January 28-31, 2026
Attendance and Conference Registration
All presenters are required to register and attend the 2026 What Works Conference. The cost associated with attending the conference, including registration, is the responsibility
of individual presenters. Speakers of selected sessions/workshops will receive a discounted registration rate.
Publication Materials
If your proposal is accepted, your title and abstract are subject to editing by Partners of the Americas for publication purposes.
Presenter Limits
An individual may be listed in any number of proposals; however, it is Partners of the Americas’ policy that an individual, regardless of role, may present in no more than two sessions or workshops. The
number of presenters listed in a proposal should reflect the needs of the format selected. Sessions and workshops may have no less than 2 and no more than 4 presenters.
Partners of the Americas Noncommercial Policy
Partners of the Americas’ programs at the What Works Conference are learning experiences for the benefit of participants and are noncommercial. Under no circumstances should
a conference workshop or presentation be used for direct promotion of a presenter’s product, service, or other self-interest.
Commitment to Differing Perspectives
Partners of the Americas expects that session proposals demonstrate understanding of the varied conference attendee experiences, backgrounds, and learning needs.
Hybrid of Virtual Event Release
Partners of the Americas recognizes that there may be instances where an in-person event may not be possible. If your session proposal is accepted, you may be asked to present in a hybrid
or virtual format.
Since 2013, the What Works Conference has brought together hundreds of community leaders and change agents from every corner of the Americas to exchange and share knowledge, resources, strategies, solutions, and best practices for what works in international and community development.
When: January 28-31, 2026
Where: Panama City, Panama