The project “Enhancing Intellectual Property Capacities for Agricultural Development - IP4Growth” is co-financed by the European Commission through the ACP Edulink programme.

IP4Growth aims to contribute to the agricultural and socio-economic development of West African countries through enhancement of HEIs' competences in Intellectual Property (IP) management.

Specific Objectives:

• To raise awareness of the importance of knowledge-based tools, in particular, geographical indications (GIs) and appellations of origin (AOs) for agricultural and rural development.
• To increase knowledge transfer capacities between HEIs and farming communities, agricultural producers and stakeholders of the region, including exploring options for GIs related procedures as a means to improve competitiveness of the agricultural sector in the target countries and region.

Estimated Results:

The project addresses HEIs, local farmers and producers and their associations, Ministries and local development organisations as well as NGOs in order to benefit in the medium-long term the agricultural and societal tissue.

• Increased awareness in HEIs and farming communities of the importance of IP for agricultural and rural development.
• Strengthened competences of HEIs in the field of IP - GIs.
• Increased economic & business opportunities for the local farming communities.
• Reinforced/built up synergies between HEIs/farming producers and associations.