The EUIPO hosts the Informal Network Meeting of EU Agencies implementing IPA and ENP Actions
The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) hosted the Informal Network Meeting of EU Agencies implementing Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) and the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) Actions, held in Alicante, Spain, from 17-18 September 2026, as part of the International IP Alliances' efforts.
The annual meeting brought together representatives of EU agencies, the European Commission and EU Delegations to exchange experiences and discuss the implementation of EU-funded actions supporting enlargement and neighbourhood partner countries. The event provided an opportunity to exchange views with key institutional stakeholders while also receiving strategic, operational, financial and contractual guidance from the Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood, supporting the effective implementation of the EUIPO’s various international cooperation activities, including the EU-funded EU4IP project.
During the two-day meeting, participants discussed policy priorities, implementation challenges and the lessons learned from EU-funded programmes across a wide range of sectors. Dedicated sessions focused on coordination among EU agencies, cooperation with partner countries and the management of contribution agreements and financial arrangements supporting external action projects.
The meeting formed part of the EUIPO’s efforts to strengthen cooperation and coordination with EU institutions and agencies involved in international cooperation activities. The exchanges contributed to identifying common challenges, sharing good practices and enhancing the effectiveness of EU-funded actions supporting partner countries.
As one of the leading EU agencies implementing international cooperation programmes, the EUIPO continues to support the European Commission´s evolving priorities in strategic countries in strengthening their intellectual property (IP) systems and aligning them with EU standards. Through initiatives implemented in the context of the EU-funded EU4IP project, the EUIPO contributes to fostering closer cooperation, knowledge exchange and institutional partnerships between the EU and its partners.
The meeting was organised as part of EUIPO's work to establish international IP alliances with like-minded institutions. The focus was on coordinating capacity building and facilitating the exchange of best practice between the Commission's relevant services and EU agencies that implement EU-funded projects.