WIPO – Intellectual Property for Impact

Artistry 🤝 Sustainability In Burgos, Spain, Alexandra Flórez has transformed her passion for wood carving into Afbarte, a unique workshop that blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design. Specializing in handcrafted jewelry, trophies, personalized pieces, and sculptures, Alexandra’s creations are made from noble woods using time-honored techniques and innovative approaches. Committed to sustainability, Afbarte not only produces custom products but also contributes to ecological balance by responsibly pruning and maintaining forests. As one of 30 artisans benefiting from a national capacity-building program, Alexandra is gaining essential skills in intellectual property to protect her creative works and drive economic growth. #IPforImpact #Empowerment #IntellectualProperty #Spain #WomenEntrepreneurs #SMEs #Innovation #Sustainability

Overcoming challenges in remote areas requires innovative solutions. Saydali Khusaynov is a small business owner from Kholdorchashma, Tajikistan, who faced a critical challenge: providing clean, hot water to attract tourists to his agro-tourism business. Seeking a solution, Saydali turned to the WIPO GREEN database, searching for sustainable technology to boost his revenue. Through the WIPO GREEN acceleration project in Tajikistan, he received support to develop a business plan and secure funding. The result? An innovative, solar-powered solution that met his needs. Saydali's journey shows how sustainable innovation can drive both social and economic progress. Interested in green technology? Join the WIPO GREEN database to learn more: https://lnkd.in/em9jrw7J #IPforImpact #WIPO #Sustainability #Tajikistan #Technology #Innovation #GreenTechnology #SustainableDevelopment #WIPOGREEN #SDGs #CleanWater #WIPOGREEN

Fabrics and designs have preserved traditions and cultures for centuries. In Laos, silk weaving has been an art form for over 1,200 years. Phaeng Chanthachit, a dedicated weaver and entrepreneur, actively promotes silk weaving in Laos, particularly focusing on the Houaphanh Silk. This silk variety is known for its smoothness, vibrant colors, and distinctive patterns, and it was registered as a geographical indication (GI) in 2020. That same year, Phaeng founded the “Houaphanh Silk Promotion Association”, which now boasts 139 members. Among them is Phommy Thummathong, a skilled weaver who employs 280 weavers. With the GI designation, Phommy can sell her silk at 50% higher prices than other types. Having learned the craft from her mother and grandmother at just eight years old, she hopes to see this tradition gain greater recognition withing Laos and abroad. Together, Phaeng and Phommy aspire to build a showroom through their association that will serve as as a training center for the next generation of silk weavers. Read more: https://lnkd.in/emjmJyty #IPforImpact #WIPO #Youth #Entrepreneurship #Artisans #Laos

Teamwork is the cornerstone of our success. The WIPO’s Regional and National Development Sector Projects Team (RNDS) is a powerful example of what can be achieved through collaborative efforts. This team supports entrepreneurs, creators, and innovators in using intellectual property (IP) for economic growth and development. Our colleagues bring their expertise to IP projects, providing training, mentoring, and support to help participants protect their creations and drive business growth. Together, they are working with 28 countries, training over 600 beneficiaries, and successfully completing more than 100 IP filings, including trademarks, industrial designs, and collective marks. Through their dedication and hard work, the RNDS team is driving change, fostering innovation, and building a brighter future for all. More projects here: https://lnkd.in/dhDk8Hkz Photos: WIPO/Berrod #IPforImpact #WIPO #WIPOlife #IntellectualProperty #Impact

Are you a woman entrepreneur from an Indigenous or local community in the Pacific, looking to grow your community-based business and preserve your cultural heritage? WIPO’s training, mentoring, and matchmaking program is now open for applications, offering support to help participants use intellectual property (IP) tools to develop and secure their businesses. Emily Waqalevu from Taveuni Island, Fiji, is an example of how this program can make a difference. In 2009, she started Kalumalua Kreation, combining cultural preservation with entrepreneurship. Using leftover tapa cloth and pandanus leaves from her mother’s work, she creates unique handmade items, including a design inspired by the Tagimoucia flower, an important symbol of Fijian culture. With WIPO’s support, Emily is now trademarking her brand to protect her work and grow her business. Her story shows how IP can help women entrepreneurs make a meaningful impact in their communities while keeping their cultural traditions alive. This year’s program is focused on women entrepreneurs from Pacific Island nations, offering tools to strengthen their businesses and safeguard their cultural heritage. Apply here: https://lnkd.in/g6zab7vk Applications close on September 30, 2024. Photos: WIPO/Berrod, Timaima Tuilakeba, Jacinta Hesaie, Emily Debra #IPforImpact #WIPO #WIPOwep #WomenInBusiness #WomenEntrepreneurs #WomenEntrepreneurship #IndigenousPeoples #WomenEmpowerment #Indigenous

Advocating for healthy nutrition – with an ice cream and yogurt brand! Rita Aku-Shika Diabah, founder and CEO of Yesli ICE, produces low- and zero-sugar ice cream, naturally sweetened yogurt, and beverages for customers across Ghana and beyond. Rita believes that promoting health and enjoying delicious foods should go hand in hand. Sourcing raw materials from local suppliers, she employs around 50 workers, all dedicated to positively impacting the local economy. With her newly trademarked brand, supported by WIPO, Rita plans to further diversify the food industry in Ghana and expand her reach to new markets. #IPforImpact #WIPO #Ghana #Health #Wellness #Entrepreneurship #IntellectualProperty

Rainwater for good 💧 Discover Bhungroo, an innovative rainwater harvesting technology developed by Indian enterprise Naireeta Services. Bhungroo filters and stores rainwater underground in depleted aquifers, helping to combat water scarcity and food insecurity. Entrepreneurs Biplab Ketan Paul and Trupti Jain began their journey in 1996, working with women’s support groups in Gujarat, India, where water supply issues were severely affecting farming, especially for women farmers. Collaborating with the community, they created Bhungroo to prevent crop damage from monsoons and ensure irrigation during dry seasons. The Bhungroo trademark, meaning "pipe" in Gujarati, showcases how intellectual property can drive climate change solutions. With plans to build 10,000 units globally and help 50,000 women farmers triple their profits, Bhungroo is empowering communities through sustainable technology. As a member of the WIPO GREEN database, Bhungroo connects with global efforts to address climate change by linking providers and seekers of eco-friendly solutions. Learn more about Bhungroo’s journey here: https://lnkd.in/e6_eC9cr #IPforImpact #WIPO #India #ClimateChange #Farmers #Entrepreneurship #IntellectualProperty

Entrepreneur Ayesha Tijueza channels her passion for the environment and community into Kanuma Beauty. Using indigenous plants, she creates skin and hair products designed to protect against harsh desert climates. Her community is also the backbone of her company: sourcing these plants locally, Ayesha supports her village of Otjinene by employing farmers in the area, making her community the heart of her business. #IPforImpact #WIPO #IntellectualProperty #Namibia #Sustainability #Entrepreneurship #Beauty

Pairing young designers with agricultural producers has sparked fresh, innovative approaches to marketing. In Chile and Brazil, design students are leading a fresh wave of innovation, helping producers better connect with consumers. Through WIPO's Young Designers Program, these university students partnered with agricultural producers to bring bold new ideas to life. This real-world experience showed them firsthand how design can transform products and influence consumer behavior. The results speak for themselves: innovative branding and marketing strategies for products like Guaraná de Maués in Brazil and Sidra de Punucapa in Chile are now gaining attention, thanks to the creativity of these young minds. Learn more about the program here: https://lnkd.in/dcTfKVt3 #IPforImpact #WIPO #IntellectualProperty #Chile #Brazil #Branding #Marketing

Happy International Youth Day! Today’s youth are not just participants but leaders in innovation and change, leading the way in solving some of the world’s greatest problems. At just 12 years old, Gitanjali Rao, an American scientist, inventor, and innovation activist, created her first invention to tackle some of the most pressing issues we face today. Now, at 18, she has developed several other groundbreaking inventions, all aimed at addressing social challenges and driving positive change. One of her inventions, Tethys, is a device that detects lead in drinking water more efficiently and cost-effectively than existing methods. Her achievements have earned her numerous accolades, including being named Time’s first-ever Kid of the Year in 2020. As we celebrate Youth Day, let's take Gitanjali’s message to heart: “Young people need more than just a seat at the table—they need to be heard. Let’s continue to celebrate the potential of youth as partners in today’s society”. Watch the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/giB7xrQR #IPforImpact #WIPO #IntellectualProperty #InternationalYouthDay #YouthActivism #ChangeMakers