The EUIPO has officially expanded the 2026 SME Fund to include financial subsidies for craft and industrial geographical indications. For the very first time, craftspeople and producer groups can apply for a dedicated CIGI voucher to help cover the costs of protecting their origin-linked products.
This new funding stream provides up to 2,000€ per beneficiary. It is specifically designed to reimburse both national and EU application fees, as well as the costs associated with preparing the required product specification documents.
The Process
As described on the EUIPO website, securing the subsidy is a straightforward journey. Applicants begin by requesting a CIGI voucher through the EUIPO portal. This requires submitting a completed application form alongside a VAT certificate and a bank statement. Depending on the specific situation, applicants might also need to provide a standard declaration.
Once the application is reviewed, successful candidates will receive their grant award and CIGI voucher within 15 working days. This voucher remains valid for exactly six months from the notification date. To activate the voucher and claim the funds, beneficiaries must first pay their CIGI registration fees.
After these eligible costs have been paid, applicants submit a single reimbursement request with their supporting documents before the six-month window closes. The EUIPO will then assess the claim and transfer the approved payment directly to the designated bank account within one month.
A Valuable Step for the Geographical Indications for Crafts and Industrial Products
The European Crafts Alliance and the Craft & Industrial Geographical Indications Expert Working Group warmly welcomes this initiative. Protecting the unique link between a craft and its geographical origin is vital for the future of the sector. We applaud this practical step to make intellectual property rights more accessible to craftspeople and makers. We encourage our community to take full advantage of this new financial support.
For all the official details and how to apply, please visit the EUIPO website >>
Spain Enters the CIGI Map
In related news, Spain has officially entered the map of craft and industrial Geographical Indications with the notification of Joyería de Córdoba. This milestone brings the total number of notifications submitted to the EUIPO to 81 across 7 countries, with 18 products from 5 countries already fully registered.
Photo: EUIPO