The Federal Institute of São Paulo (IFSP) has announced a new international cooperation initiative to strengthen Geographical Indications (GIs) through a partnership with the Reinforce Intellectual Property Association (RIPA), a non-profit organization recognized for its work promoting intellectual property, particularly in India.

The initiative highlights the strategic role of Geographical Indications as tools for territorial development, innovation, and the protection of intangible assets, aligning Brazil with global trends in IP governance and value creation.

Although IFSP and RIPA operate under different institutional frameworks, both share common objectives, including the promotion of innovation ecosystems and regional socioeconomic development. A key element of the cooperation is the expansion of RIPA’s “Metrics that Matter” methodology, designed to assess governance structures, performance, and economic impact of GI associations.

In Brazil, the methodology will support associations legally responsible for managing Geographical Indications, enabling the development of action plans focused on sustainability, institutional strengthening, and increased economic and social impact within GI territories.

The partnership also includes field research initiatives and specialized training programs for producers, artisans, and students, contributing to technical capacity-building and to more robust public policies related to Geographical Indications.