Strengthening IP Awareness in Widening Countries: European IP Helpdesk Trainings in Belgrade and Bucharest

In recent weeks, the European IP Helpdesk delivered two “From Lab to Market” trainings in Belgrade and Bucharest, as part of its ongoing work to strengthen intellectual property (IP) awareness and capacity in Widening countries. 

The sessions focused on practical aspects of taking research results further towards application and market uptake. Particular attention was given to typical commercialisation pathways, the role of IP in collaborative research, and the range of EU-level support services available throughout the innovation journey. 

Both events brought together researchers at different stages of their careers and with varying levels of experience in IP. While some participants were already familiar with IP protection, including patenting activities, others were exploring these topics for the first time. This diversity contributed to a dynamic exchange, with participants raising concrete questions on protection strategies and decision-making in practice. 

Discussions addressed when and how to protect research results, and which routes may be most appropriate depending on the context — including choices between national filings, the European Patent Office (EPO), or international protection via the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). These exchanges highlighted the need for practical guidance tailored to real research and innovation scenarios. 

In Belgrade, the training was hosted at Europe House in collaboration with Technalia. A European IP Helpdesk IP Ambassador joined to present the initiative and its services from a local perspective. In Bucharest, the training was hosted by the National Institute of Research – Development for Machines and Installations designed for Agriculture and Food Industry (INMA). 

The strong engagement observed during both events reflects growing interest in IP-related topics within the research community. It also underlines the value of continued awareness-raising and capacity-building activities, which increasingly lead to targeted training requests and deeper engagement at institutional level.