Development Stories – IP for Impact

Australian Living Seawalls support the growth of species around marine artificial structures.

Researchers at the Sydney Institute of Marine Science have created ecological structures that improve growing conditions for invertebrates and seaweeds and provide shelter for fish around in-water constructions. Living Seawalls were first used in Sydney’s harbors, and installations now span three continents.

Fruit Brand

WIPO is supporting farmers and entrepreneurs in Senegal to create a geographical indication that adds value to a local harvest.

Disability Empowerment and Cultural Preservation: Kymviet's Journey towards International Brand Expansion and IP Protection

In a small tree-lined street in Hanoi, a colorful storefront advertises Kymviet Space, calling to change the perception of people with disabilities. At the end of a lively, decorated corridor, a four-story building hosts a team of 30 disabled staff producing beautifully stitched and assembled home decoration items.

Researcher Seeks to Conserve and Promote Native Medicinal Plants in Viet Nam

A biochemist in Viet Nam is promoting and conserving native species of medicinal herbs to leverage their health benefits for all. Enter the world of functional food.

Giving the World a Window to Pakistani Artisans’ Skills and Talents

Bringing the talent of artisans from remote areas of Pakistan to light was Hunarmund co-founders’ dream. Find out how they are making this dream a reality.

Blending Handloom Tradition and Technology to Bring Innovative Designs to the Market in Sri Lanka

Do you want to know what “Image weaving” is? Read more about this artistic innovation by a young Sri Lankan designer weaving traditional handloom and technology.

Microorganisms to the Help of Agriculture in Viet Nam

The heavy use of chemical fertilizers, drought, and some agricultural practices affect soil fertility and reduce productivity. In Viet Nam, Dr. Nguyen Thu Ha, a microbiology researcher, invented products based on beneficial microorganisms to help mitigate those issues. Her products improve soil quality, increase crop yields and farmers’ benefits.

Preserving the Art of Algerian Carpet-Making: Discover the Intricate Craft of the 'Babar' Carpet and the Skilled Women of Khenchela

Discover the fascinating art of Algerian carpet-making through this captivating video featuring the 'Babar' carpet, hand-woven by skilled Algerian women in the region of Khenchela.

These talented artisans are not only preserving their ancestral techniques but also innovating and modernizing their craft, passing it down to the younger generation through creative designs.

The women of Khenchela are being supported by WIPO's Algeria office and the Traditional Knowledge Division to create a collective mark to promote and protect their cultural heritage. By preserving this traditional craft, these women are ensuring that their rich history lives on, contributing to their country's economic growth and development.

Painting a Brighter Future: How Daysi Campusano's SME, Arte en Coro, is Making a Difference in the Dominican Republic

The inspiring story of Daysi Campusano and her eco-art endeavor, Arte en Coro, is leaving a positive impact on the Dominican Republic. As the founder of this creative small and medium-sized enterprise (SME), Daysi and her six employees offer unique painting workshops that combine art, fun, and relaxation, benefiting vulnerable children and adults alike.

Thanks to the intellectual property (IP) protection she sought to safeguard her brand and artistic works, Daysi's creative legacy has prospered. From participating in fashion week to utilizing art as a therapeutic tool for children in need, Arte en Coro is making a difference in the lives of many.

From Gaming Apps to Nation Branding in Cabo Verde: Youthful Cabo Verdeans Propose Innovative Ideas at WIPO-Organized IP Hack

Twenty-eight-year-old Rui Bento da Graca is among the prize-winning innovators at a recent “IP Hack” hosted by WIPO for young Cabo Verdeans, who used the online event to explore how IP can help stimulate their country’s social and economic development.

Cambodian Knitted Plushies Help Women One Stitch at a Time

For dozens of impoverished women in and around the Cambodian capital, hand-made, eco-friendly toys are bringing relief.

Senegalese Fashion Designer Satitia Gomis: A Modern Take on Traditional Cloth

25-year-old fashion designer Satitia Gomis from Ziguinchor, Senegal, is weaving the present into the past – by putting a modern twist on traditional cloth from the Manjack, her ethnic group.

Satitia combines the traditional Manjack cloth with current fabrics to produce comfortable and stylish everyday wear. With her fashion brand, Satitia is keeping her cultural heritage alive and setting new trends: “I want to be a source of pride for my Manjack community while also creating something new”, she says.

WIPO supported the development of Satitia’s business under the Indigenous and Local Community Women Entrepreneurship Program.

Healers in Ethiopia are looking beyond their communities to share their traditional medicine

Both Mulu Almaw's herbal skincare products and Getachew Dimtse's shampoos are made with all-natural ingredients, but the similarities don't stop there: By trademarking their products, these entrepreneurs are reaching new markets and growing their businesses – while helping more people with their traditional remedies.

WIPO Academy Alumni Spotlight: Ivannia Lazzaro

Ivannia Lazzaro is one of many WIPO Academy alumni applying her intellectual property knowledge and skills in innovative and creative fields. She is an artist and owns a creative small and medium-sized enterprise (SME), which she protects using IP as a tool to ensure her creations live on to serve her business, her family and her community.

Ugandan entrepreneur, teacher and mother, Caroline Matuvo, launches successful detergent brand from her backyard

Caroline Matovu is helping keep her local community clean and safe through her detergent business. She is behind the product 'Trion', which has amassed a significant number of customers including hospitals, schools and supermarkets. 

With a strong desire to keep our world clean and healthy, Caroline's strong brand has allowed her customers to continue making the easy choice of gearing themselves towards her product. 

Through a tailored mentorship program, Caroline is one of many women WIPO is supporting to register their trademarks.

WIPO launches a new IP project for women entrepreneurs in embroidery and related crafts business in Pakistan

WIPO has launched a new project in partnership with IPO Pakistan and the Permanent Mission of Pakistan in Geneva to support more than 40 women Pakistani entrepreneurs in using IP tools to advance their embroidery and related crafts businesses.

WIPO Nigeria Office Introduces "Her Intellectual Property Story" Project for Women Creators

A dozen young female Nigerian photographers and videographers are participating in a new training project, entitled "Her Intellectual Property Story," established by the WIPO Nigeria Office.

The effort launched June 14, 2023, in collaboration with Sony Nigeria and the Art for Humanity Foundation aims to capture the IP experiences of female-led enterprises through documentaries and images from the field generated by the program trainees.

WIPO Unlocks Practical Benefits for Women-Led SMEs in Bangladesh through New IP Project Launch

In a significant step towards empowering women entrepreneurs, WIPO has initiated a collaborative project with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Industries of Bangladesh. The project aims to unlock the practical advantages of intellectual property for more than 25 women-led SMEs operating across different regions in Bangladesh. The official launch of this project took place on June 4, 2023.

Empowering African Women in Agribusiness through Knowledge and Resources: WIPO Regional Conference on IP for Women in Agribusiness

Over 120 inspiring women entrepreneurs in agribusiness from across Africa assembled in Kigali, Rwanda, for WIPO's regional IP conference held from May 15 to 17, 2023. This extraordinary gathering served as a platform for these visionary individuals to explore how IP could elevate the worth of their products and drive the expansion of their businesses.

Sustainable Tourism Boost in Bali: SMEs Harness Intellectual Property for Growth

Discover the inspiring journey of Yessy Catrina, Gomgom Panggabean, and Wayan Gede Gunada, innovative entrepreneurs from Bali, as they shape tourism while preserving cultural heritage. The three business owners are also beneficiaries of a project launched on May 16th, 2023, by WIPO and Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy that aims to support sustainable tourism development through IP in Bali and establish Bali as a prominent global destination with a strong and vibrant cultural identity.

Collective marks used as a tool for development for entrepreneurs and SMEs

WIPO is supporting local producers in Bolivia, Brazil, Philippines and Tunisia, encouraging them to use IP tools such as collective marks to add value to their local products and services.

Through this empowering project, more than 420 entrepreneurs and SMEs in rural areas are developing and registering their trademarks. This video was produced as a part of materials for capacity-building.