The EUIPO promotes youth innovation and IP awareness in the Republic of Moldova
The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) supported the Youth Competition Award ‘IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate’ in the Republic of Moldova, in the context of the EU-funded EU4IP project. The initiative, organised by the State Agency on Intellectual Property of the Republic of Moldova (AGEPI), in partnership with the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks and the Romanian Copyright Office, brought together young participants from across the country to explore the links between intellectual property (IP), sport and innovation, an initiative that also connects with the EUIPO’s broader youth‑oriented work.
Held on 15-16 April 2026 in Chișinău, the competition aimed to stimulate young people’s interest in IP, nurture creativity and strengthen their understanding of how IP rights underpin inventiveness, value creation and economic growth. Over two days of contest sessions, participants engaged with IP-related topics, creativity and innovation, including awareness of counterfeiting and piracy.
The event featured contributions from IP practitioners and awareness specialists, fostering discussion on how to engage young people in understanding the societal and economic relevance of IP. By supporting the award ceremony, the EUIPO contributed to raising awareness of the value of IP among the younger generation. The activity also encouraged dialogue between AGEPI, educational institutions and other stakeholders to broaden participation and increase the visibility of IP issues among young people in the Republic of Moldova.
Supporting youth-focused awareness initiatives is part of the EU4IP project’s broader objective of increasing the general public’s understanding of IP and strengthening the capacities of the productive sector to protect, manage and enforce their rights. By encouraging young innovators to reflect on how ideas can be protected and commercialised, the EUIPO contributes to building a business environment in the Republic of Moldova that is increasingly aligned with EU practices and supportive of future creators, entrepreneurs and innovators.
The Youth Competition Award is a practical example of how awareness-raising, when combined with cooperation between national and European institutions, can reinforce innovation systems and empower the next generation to value and use IP effectively.
The EUIPO continues to shape international IP alliances with like-minded partner institutions on strategic topics such as inclusiveness, in order to empower children and teenagers to develop their creative potential and understand the role of IP in innovation. For more information about the EUIPO’s IP in Education initiative that provides ready-to-use educational materials for teachers and students of all ages and levels, see: https://www.euipo.europa.eu/en/observatory/awareness/ideas-powered/ip-in-education-materials.