The SME Fund Just Unlocked €2,000 for Geographical Indications—Here's How to Claim Yours

Ever heard of "made in Córdoba" jewellery? It's been perfected over 1,000 years—but until recently, the name itself had zero legal protection. Enter geographical indications: the EU's new superpower for protecting authentic, place-based products. And the best part? There's literally money available to help you register yours!

Geographical indications (GIs) are a lesser known IP tool, but one which could really push your brand to the next level. Instead of protecting a brand name or logo, they protect the place to which your product's tradition is tied —and everything it stands for. Think "Champagne" (=only allowed to be used for fizzy wines from that French region) or "Parmigiano Reggiano" (specific cows, specific milk, specific region and a legally protected status). The EU just rolled out a new international system for craft and industrial products (called CIGIs), and Joyería de Córdoba became its first poster child: after centuries of being the gold standard in Spanish jewellery, they can finally stop copycats from slapping "Córdoba-made" on cheap knock-offs. The registration gives them legal teeth across all 27 EU Member States.

GI protection isn't just a nice-to-have trophy. Registered CIGIs block misuse of your name on e-commerce platforms, stop misleading marketing, and let you charge a premium prices because only you can legally use that indication. But getting is not easy: application fees, product specs, legal prep. That's where the SME Fund's new Voucher 5 comes in—up to €2,000 per beneficiary to cover registration costs. It might literally be designed for you!

If your craft or industrial product is rooted in a specific region, you're eligible. Producer groups, solo SMEs, local authorities—all of them can become beneficiaries. Don't leave your heritage unprotected. Check out the SME Fund 2026 website to apply for Voucher 5, and if you need expert guidances, KOREJZOVA LEGAL will navigate you through the whole process and make your application shine. Let's get you your legal place on the map!

EUIPO. "SME Fund: A new voucher for craft and industrial geographical indications." https://www.euipo.europa.eu/en/news/sme-fund-a-new-voucher-for-craft-and-industrial-geographical-indications

EUIPO. "Six months on: the EU's new protection system for craft and industrial geographical indications gains momentum." https://www.euipo.europa.eu/en/news/six-months-on-the-eu-s-new-protection-system-for-craft-and-industrial-geographical-indications-gains-momentum 

EUIPO. "EU registers 'Joyería de Córdoba' as Spain's first craft and industrial geographical indication." https://www.euipo.europa.eu/en/news/eu-registers-joyeria-de-cordoba-as-spain-s-first-craft-and-industrial-geographical-indication

Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/cs-cz/foto/osoba-prumysl-priprava-syr-5953758/