The mentor program of the World Intellectual Property Organization – WIPO for the women entrepreneurs, producers of traditional textile products, from the Central European and Balkan States has been finished.
In the course of 2023, WIPO regional program was taking place, intended for making connections and offering mentor support in the field of intellectual property for women producing traditional products in the domain of textile. The WIPO program that has been implemented since 2019, was intended last year for women of the Central European and Baltic Region and women from 15 countries participated in it, including the representative of Serbia, Slađana Milojević, the owner of the handicraft shop “Nonna Handmade” at the proposal of the Intellectual Property Office of the Republic of Serbia.
The program, included training at the seat of the WIPO in Geneva, at the beginning of 2023, and mentor online meatings with WIPO experts in the course of the year, which referred not only to topics connected with the intellectual property law protection but also to business support. The final event was held last week, from January 17-18, 2024, when the exhibition of models and products of the participants was held at the seat of the WIPO on January 18, 2024, followed by the presentation of certificates for the participation in this program.
During the exhibition, the models “Nonna Handmade” were presented, consisting of garments and accessories with modern designs inspired by traditional hand-embroidered motives incorporating rich cultural heritage of Serbia from the end of the 19th century, made of natural materials. The vision of the Nonna Handmade is to preserve part of the intangible cultural heritage of Serbia through connection of the traditional and modern.
We are proud that Serbia had a representative in this program and we hope that the connection and exchange of experiences in this field, with women from the region, shall contribute to the expansion of the traditional Serbian products recognizability.
