The Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Component 3, implemented by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), launched three new mentorships in Latin America as part of the AL-INVmentor programme.
The initiative seeks to promote the strategic use of IPRs in the region, with special emphasis on geographical indications (GIs) and trademarks. The objective is to strengthen innovation, competitiveness and sustainability through the protection of emblematic products.
Handmade products
The new mentorships for artisanal products are aimed at companies and entrepreneurs from Colombia and Chile, with the purpose of guiding them in the adaptation to Regulation (EU) 2023/2411. This regulation establishes the protection in the EU of geographical indications for artisanal and industrial products, granting the EUIPO the management of the registration. Priority will be given to those artisanal products with a strong cultural and geographical link, facilitating their recognition in national and international markets.
Andean Community
In countries such as Peru, Ecuador and Colombia, the programme will focus on agricultural products that can be protected under geographical indications, such as coffee, cocoa, timber and livestock. In addition, it will encourage the adoption of sustainable practices aligned with EU regulations on deforestation-free products and the proposed Green Claims Directive, promoting responsible land use and sustainable agricultural techniques.
GI coffee from Brazil
In Brazil, the initiative will benefit producers of Origin Controlled Coffee, a digital platform that brings together 100,000 coffee farmers, mostly small entrepreneurs. This tool makes it possible to manage, trace and certify the production of coffee with a geographical indication in the country. The digitisation of GIs in the coffee sector is supported by key institutions such as SEBRAE, the Brazilian Agency for Industrial Development (ABDI) and the Brazilian Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock (CNA Institute).
Mentoring details
The programme will provide training to producer associations in areas such as:
Development of product specifications
Governance and organisational management
Sustainable production (energy efficiency, biodiversity conservation, water and soil management)
Branding and traceability strategies to improve access to international markets
These mentorships are expected to strengthen IPRs awareness, increase product visibility and provide tools for producers to expand their global reach. It also aims to strengthen consumer confidence through transparent certifications.
In the framework of the AL-INVmentor programme, more mentoring is planned for producers in MERCOSUR and Chile, especially those operating in forest conservation areas and strategic sectors.
With this initiative, EUIPO reaffirms its commitment to knowledge transfer, policy alignment and capacity building, ensuring that Latin American producers take full advantage of the opportunities provided by intellectual property rights and geographical indications.
