Access to intellectual property is essential for the development of innovation, economic growth and the preservation of cultural heritage. However, it remains unevenly distributed, with women and young professionals often among the underrepresented groups in this field.
This is confirmed by two surveys. The first, conducted in 2021 by the EUIPO under the title “Women in Design”, showed that at that time women made up only 24% of designers in the EU. The second survey, the “Pulse Survey”, conducted by WIPO in 2023, found that people aged between 18 and 24 have significantly lower awareness of intellectual property rights.
These challenges are the focus of the European Cooperation Project ECP5 “Inclusive IP Landscape”. The founder of our firm, Adv. Krasimira Kadieva, is part of the ECP5 Inclusive IP Landscape project, representing ECTA. The initiative brings together national and regional intellectual property offices, as well as consumer associations, through a specially created virtual community. Its goal is to support the development of practical approaches aimed at promoting the more active participation of women and the younger generation in the business environment, creative industries and technology sectors.
A comprehensive report titled Inclusivity in IP, Business, and Innovation was published in 2025. The report is based on research, studies and official documents from the EUIPO, the European Commission, EPO, WIPO, OECD, and others. It examines the main obstacles faced by women and the younger generation in the context of intellectual property and business, as well as possible approaches to overcome them.
Particular attention is paid to the importance of long-term partnerships between intellectual property offices, business networks, financial institutions and innovation hubs. The need for targeted efforts to more actively involve underrepresented groups is also highlighted. The report provides a common evidence base on which stakeholders can build their positions, policies and follow-up actions.
Based on this analysis, ECP5 “Inclusive IP Landscape” develops concrete and sustainable strategies to broaden participation in the field of intellectual property. The aim is to ensure better access for women and the younger generation to the intellectual property network within the EUIPN.