- build capacity in intellectual property and acquire the skills necessary for an effective use of the intellectual property system, including in the digital economy;
- acquire basic knowledge of related fields useful in an entrepreneurial context, such as business modelling, marketing and digital storytelling;
- benefit from the support of a mentor to further develop and implement projects and businesses based on traditional knowledge and/or traditional cultural expressions that have an intellectual property component; and
- meet amongst Program participants, share and learn from each other's experiences, but also meet potential partners who can provide support with the implementation of the intellectual property components of their projects and businesses.
Meet our participants
Loita Maasai community | Entito Creations, Kenya
Eunice is from the Loita Maasai community of Narok, a predominantly pastoralist community closely connected to its cultural heritage with distinctive clothing, jewelry, and traditional way of life.
A marketer by profession, and a fashion design enthusiast, Eunice founded Entito Creations Ltd, to incorporate traditional Maasai patterns and beaded products with modern fashion designs.
Eunice works with a group of women in her village, and together they undertake beadwork, as a source of livelihood for the group’s families. They support and teach beadwork to preserve their culture and empower the community, enabling girls to enroll in school.
Image: Olosinyati photographs
T’boli | Cooperative of Women in Health and Development (COWHED), the Philippines
Nenita belongs to the T’boli and works as the Local Culture and Arts Coordinator of the Municipality of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, in the Philippines. She is engaged with fellow members of her community in the promotion, protection, preservation, and conservation of the T’boli Culture.
In her capacity as a Civil Society Organization Desk Officer, Nenita empowers some 80 civil society organizations and NGOs in the locality to actively participate in the local governance.
Additionally, Nenita is currently the chairperson of the Cooperative of Women in Health and Development (COWHED) aiming to empower the T’boli women to become entrepreneurs and promote cultural tourism.
Image: Nykee Kyla G. Kinan
Ustupu | Indigenous Tourism Network of Panama (REDTURI PANAMA), Panama
Soguiguili was born in the Ustupu community in the Guna Yala region. She is the co-founder and president of the Indigenous Tourism Network of Panama (REDTURI PANAMA). In that capacity, her focus lies in shaping Indigenous tourism initiatives that uplift local communities, fostering a supportive and sustainable economy. Soguiguili seizes opportunities to serve as a cultural and Indigenous tourism ambassador through various initiatives.
Soguiguili is an artisan herself, skilled in the textile art of the molas. Leading the traditional Guna USKALU dance, Soguiguili safeguards the liveliness of her people's customs and traditions. Her community holds a strong conviction in the enduring strength of their living culture against identity challenges.
Image: Gilberto Alemancia
Cahaya, Mauritius
Shivani is a designer and founder of Cahaya, a brand focused on valorizing local craftsmanship and the use of locally sourced materials, while striving for continuous innovation. Operating mainly via e-commerce and seasonal markets, Cahaya also provides services like creative workshops to locals, schools, corporates, and tourists.
In 2023, Cahaya launched its first training program entitled Weave, Wove, Woven, upskilling a group of women beneficiaries on how to weave the pandanus leaves. The products created during the training have been exhibited locally and internationally.
Image: Shivani Ragavoodoo Canee
Emily Waqalevu
Na I Soqosoqo Vakamarama I Taukei Cakaudrove (SVTC), Fiji
Emily lives in Soqulu village, Fiji Islands. She is a dedicated member of the Na I Soqosoqo Vakamarama I Taukei Cakaudrove (SVTC), a registered NGO focusing on empowering rural Indigenous women and promoting I-taukei traditional knowledge through cultural practices.
Emily is renowned for her groundbreaking achievement as the first person in Fiji to recreate the iconic "tagimoucia flower", using mulberry bark called "tapa" and acrylic paint. This beautiful red and white orchid, native to Fiji, inspired a thriving enterprise after garnering widespread interest. Emily's creations expanded to include diverse products like earrings, necklaces, hairpieces, garlands, and more.
Image: Debra Waqalevu
Kho & Kalashi, Chitral, Pakistan
For the past eight years, she has been working for the benefit of vulnerable local communities in the district of Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with the objective to empower local community women by providing them with a safe space to pursue entrepreneurship in the creative arts.
Her organization works with 500 artisans from all over Chitral and counts 40 women-led businesses as registered members. Her enterprise is a community hub with a significant social impact in the area in which it operates. Mansura aims to expand it and create more opportunities for the local communities.
Image: Naveed Yousafzai
Program structure
Training phase
Mentoring and matchmaking phase
Newsroom
Practical Workshop on Intellectual Property for Women Entrepreneurs from Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities from Pacific Island Countries
Practical Workshop on Intellectual Property for Women Entrepreneurs from Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities
Practical Workshop on Intellectual Property for Women Entrepreneurs from Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities
Resources
- Boosting Tourism Development through Intellectual Property
- Protect and Promote Your Culture: A Practical Guide to Intellectual Property for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities
- Intellectual Property and Folk, Arts and Cultural Festivals – A Practical Guide
- Marketing Crafts and Visual Arts: The Role of Intellectual Property [PDF]
- Background Brief – No.4 Intellectual Property and Arts Festivals
- Background Brief – No. 5 Intellectual Property and Traditional Handicrafts
