“(We) realized that we are capable of turning our entrepreneurship into a recognized brand. All our products should be of quality so that every day they grow in value. The importance of being organized and knowing that we are not alone, that we will always have your cooperation and unconditional support” -Nury Ruano Chapues, Resguardo Indígena de Ipiales, Pueblo Los Pastos, Colombia.
 
This was one of the many impactful impressions given by the twenty women entrepreneurs from ten different communities across the Andean region who gathered for four days in November in Quito, Ecuador.

They participated in the training phase of the 2022-2023 WIPO Training, Mentoring, and Matchmaking Program on Intellectual Property for Women Entrepreneurs from Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. This Program is provided globally by WIPO’s Traditional Knowledge Division.
 
The practical workshop aimed at building contextualized skills on intellectual property and entrepreneurship among the participants by introducing them to intellectual property, trademark development, development of intellectual property strategies and business models for their community enterprises, management, market access, e-commerce, and financial education, among other topics of relevance.

All participants had the opportunity to share their stories, present their community enterprises, show their products, and benefit from support networks. Likewise, they enriched their knowledge and expanded their capacities thanks to interactions with the speakers and facilitators, a wide range of top international, regional and national experts, as well as representatives from intellectual property offices.
 
To ensure a larger community effect, two participants per community enterprise were selected, which meant a double opportunity to take the training back to their respective communities, and expand their awareness of intellectual property and business matters.

The participants can now put into practice the acquired knowledge and skills in their respective community-based business endeavors and strengthen their communities.

 
When asked about what she appreciated the most, an Andean WEP participant replied: “The commitment of all of you so that our projects keep moving forward. Advancing for a better future for all the women we represent.”  
 
Participants finished the workshop having made significant progress in developing an intellectual property strategy and a business model for their community-based entrepreneurships. These outputs will lead the way to the second phase of the program, which involves mentoring and matchmaking.

Regarding mentoring, they will benefit from the experience of a designated mentor who will guide them through their journey to use intellectual property to promote their community enterprises and enhance business opportunities for them.

Concerning matchmaking, participants will be connected to experts or organizations for support or advice on matters related to their community enterprises.
  
For more information on the workshop, please visit this webpage (in Spanish).

More information about WIPO’s work on traditional knowledge, traditional cultural expressions and genetic resources.