IFIA International Relations

The International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA) actively develops and strengthens international cooperation with leading organizations, institutions, and stakeholders in the global innovation ecosystem.

Through these relationships, IFIA works to support inventors, innovators, entrepreneurs, and member organizations by facilitating international collaboration, knowledge exchange, capacity building, and access to opportunities within the fields of invention, innovation, and intellectual property.

IFIA collaborates with international organizations and partners on a wide range of initiatives, including seminars, conferences, congresses, workshops, invention exhibitions, innovation festivals, educational programs, online courses, competitions, award ceremonies, forums, and specialized meetings.

These international relationships also enable IFIA to connect its members and the global inventor community with relevant institutions, helping to strengthen cooperation between inventors, innovation organizations, policymakers, academic institutions, and other stakeholders.

Through its international relations, IFIA seeks to:

• Advocate for the interests of inventors and innovators at the international level;
• Promote policies and initiatives that support invention and innovation;
• Encourage cooperation among international organizations, governments, institutions, and inventor associations;
• Facilitate technical assistance, education, training, and knowledge exchange;
• Support access to international innovation networks and opportunities;
• Contribute expertise and perspectives on matters related to inventors, innovation, and intellectual property; and
• Develop joint programs and initiatives with international partners that strengthen the global innovation ecosystem.

IFIA maintains relations and cooperation with a range of international and regional organizations, including:

The International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA) was granted Special Consultative Status by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on June 6, 2019.

This status enables IFIA to contribute its expertise and perspectives on invention, innovation, and the global inventor community to relevant United Nations activities and discussions.

IFIA-ECOSOC

List of UN NGO

List of non–governmental organizations in consultative
status with the Economic

The International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA) holds Observer Status (Special Category – Technology) with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Geneva, Switzerland (Reference No. E3381).

The International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA) holds consultative status with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) (Reference No. E3386).

The International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA) has cooperated with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) in the field of innovation promotion and commercialization through the Innovation Products and Research Exchange (IPRX) initiative.

The International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA) holds observer status with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva, Switzerland (Reference No. B3635).

The International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA) is a member of the Standing Advisory Committee before the European Patent Office (SACEPO), a consultative body of the European Patent Office (EPO), in Munich, Germany (Reference No. D4489).

The International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA) is a partner of the European Alliance for Innovation (EAI), supporting international cooperation and collaboration in the fields of innovation, research, and technology.

The International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA) collaborates with the Global Innovation Exchange (GIE), a global online platform connecting innovations, funding opportunities, resources, and knowledge to help address global challenges. Through this collaboration, IFIA shares international events, workshops, educational resources, and innovation opportunities with inventors and innovators worldwide.

Google supports the International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA), an international nonprofit organization (Registration No. 920-586-3771), through the Google Ad Grants program. Through this program, Google provides IFIA with in-kind advertising support on Google Ads, helping increase the global visibility of IFIA’s programs, international events, educational initiatives, and resources for inventors and innovators worldwide.

This support enables IFIA to expand its digital outreach and further its nonprofit mission of promoting invention and innovation worldwide.

The International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA) joined MIT Solve, an initiative of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), as a member in May 2020.

MIT Solve is an initiative of MIT that advances solutions to global challenges through open innovation. It connects technology-based social innovators and entrepreneurs with partners and resources to help develop and scale solutions with social impact.

The International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA) established a partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in January 2024 to expand opportunities for inventors and innovators and facilitate access to innovation-focused development programs.

Through this collaboration, IFIA has promoted opportunities available through USAID programs, including Development Innovation Ventures (DIV), which supports innovative solutions addressing global development challenges.