Fostering Development of Local Communities Through the Protection of Traditional Knowledge and Origin Products

This paper is focused on the protection of traditional knowledge (TK), including origin products, as a means of fostering the development of local communities in developing countries. Based on case studies, it also proposes a methodological approach for structuring and organising foreign aid delivery and other forms of international support for better impact on the ground. Conclusions are made on the need to strengthen international, regional and national protective legal systems and political freedoms while at the same time providing an appropriate level of developmental support in the establishment of ‘economic facilities’, ‘transparency guarantees’ and ‘social opportunities’, including value chain upgrading and well-designed technical assistance and organised and targeted foreign aid delivery.