Colombian Indigenous Community Enterprise’s Project
April 26, 2024
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has implemented the first project of the WIPO’s Training, Mentoring and Matchmaking Program on Intellectual Property for Women Entrepreneurs from Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru (Andean WEP) with the support from Funds-In-Trust Japan Industrial Property Global (FIT/Japan IP Global).
FIT/Japan IP Global has supported the participants of the Andean WEP organized by the Traditional Knowledge Division of the WIPO.
The purpose of this program is to provide assistance to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) to make strategic and effective use of intellectual property tools in support of their business.
Ms. Ruby’s and Ms. Milena’s Association project
Ms. Ruby’s and Ms. Milena’s Association (Asociación de mujeres artesanas Lekonaewa Trompillo Kuwai), based in Colombia, produces hand-woven products made of moriche fiber. They offer a wide range of products, such as rounded handbags, backpacks, hats, baskets, key rings and earrings.
They aim to strengthen the ancestral art of the association so that they can produce better quality products to offer in their points of sale. In addition, the registration of a collective mark and the support provided for promotion and marketing material will enable them to expand their market reach and promote their products more effectively, ultimately contributing to the improvement of the local economy and the well-being of the community as a whole.
To achieve this, they have submitted a proposal that includes the necessary tools and equipment and the purchase of moriche fiber to produce their handicrafts, as well as promotion and marketing material. This is the first project supported by WIPO and FIT/Japan IP Global. They have now received all the necessary tools and equipment to take their hand-woven products made of moriche fiber to the next level. Their association will receive the promotion and marketing material once the collective mark is registered.
Ms. Ruby and Ms. Milena are very thankful for the support provided by WIPO and FIT/JP. They have expressed their gratitude and stated that their association is fulfilling their dream, and that this support will allow them to produce better quality products and sell them at a better price.
The support that Ms. Ruby’s and Ms. Milena’s Association is receiving will increase their chances of fully benefitting from having a collective mark to distinguish the products they sell and for their sustainable business utilizing a collective mark.