IFIA 53rd Executive Committee Meeting Held in September 2026

The 53rd Executive Committee Meeting of the International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA) was held in September 2026, bringing together the members of the IFIA Executive Committee to review important membership applications and discuss the continued development of IFIA’s international departments and strategic initiatives.

The meeting focused on expanding IFIA’s global network, strengthening international cooperation, supporting youth innovation, and further developing the Federation’s institutional presence within emerging international innovation ecosystems.

The Executive Committee reviewed the agenda items and submitted its votes, comments, and feedback to the IFIA Secretariat in accordance with the established voting procedure.

• 1. Opening Remarks
  2. Corresponding Membership Application – SALGA, South Africa
  3. Full Membership Application – Applitent Tech, Spain
  4. Collaborative Membership Application – The Global Innovation Field Trip (GIFT) / InventFuture.Global
  5. Collaborative Membership Application – Innovation World™ / Innovation World Alliance
  6. Collaborative Membership Application – New England Invents (NEI), USA
  7. Establishment of the IFIA BRICS Department
  8. Enhancement and Development of the IFIA Youth Department and Appointment of Two Representatives
  9. Closing Remarks

  These are the nine agenda items shown in the official 53rd Executive Committee Meeting agenda you provided. The meeting materials distinguish between matters requiring Executive Committee approval and informational updates concerning IFIA’s international activities and strategic initiatives.

At the opening of the 53rd IFIA Executive Committee Meeting, the members were invited to review a series of proposals aimed at strengthening IFIA’s international network, expanding institutional cooperation, and further developing the Federation’s activities in support of inventors and innovators worldwide.

Particular attention was given to the admission of new organizations from South Africa, Spain, and the United States, as well as international organizations and initiatives focused on youth invention and innovation.

The meeting also addressed the continued development of the IFIA BRICS Department and the strengthening of the IFIA Youth Department, reflecting the Federation’s broader strategy of expanding international cooperation and creating new opportunities for innovators, particularly young inventors.

The Executive Committee reviewed the membership application of the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) for admission as a Corresponding Member of IFIA.

Established in 1996, SALGA is the national representative body for local government in South Africa and represents all 257 municipalities through its national office and nine provincial offices. Its activities include capacity building, training, research, policy support, knowledge sharing, advocacy, and cooperation with national and international partners.

SALGA also participates in international networks related to local governance and sustainable development, including engagement through United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG).

Considering SALGA’s national reach and institutional role, its application was presented with the objective of strengthening cooperation between IFIA and South Africa’s local-government and innovation networks.

✅ This agenda item was unanimously approved with 21 votes from the Executive Committee members.

The Executive Committee considered the application of Applitent Tech, Spain, for admission as a candidate Member of IFIA.

Applitent Tech is a Madrid-based organization established in 2026. The organization focuses on supporting inventors, innovators, students, researchers, and startups in Spain.

Its planned activities include educational guidance, workshops and seminars, support for young inventors and students, networking programs, participation in international invention exhibitions, and cooperation with IFIA members and other innovation-related institutions.

The application was presented to strengthen IFIA’s active presence in Spain and develop broader engagement with the Spanish invention and innovation community.

✅ This agenda item was unanimously approved with 21 votes from the Executive Committee members.

The Executive Committee reviewed the Collaborative Membership application of The Global Innovation Field Trip (GIFT) / InventFuture.Global.

GIFT is an international online initiative providing young inventors and innovators from around the world with opportunities to present their inventions, innovative ideas, and creative solutions to a global audience.

According to the information presented to the Executive Committee, the initiative has involved more than 1,800 presenters from 74 countries across 17 GIFT celebrations, while approximately 2,500 innovation stories have been collected in its Library of Innovation.

InventFuture.Global also operates international programs for young innovators, including the InventFuture.Global Innovation Challenge, providing opportunities for students to develop and present ideas, applications, prototypes, and solutions internationally.

The application was presented in view of the strong alignment between these activities and IFIA’s objectives in promoting invention, youth innovation, international cooperation, and knowledge exchange.

✅ This agenda item was unanimously approved with 21 votes from the Executive Committee members.

The Executive Committee considered the Collaborative Membership application of Innovation World™ / Innovation World Alliance.

Innovation World and the Innovation World Alliance operate within an international ecosystem dedicated to encouraging creativity, invention, and innovation among young people while connecting students, educators, mentors, innovators, and innovation organizations across countries.

Innovation World is also identified as the organizer of the Global Innovation Field Trip (GIFT), through which young innovators present their inventions, projects, and innovative solutions to international audiences.

Through its international activities and cooperation with InventFuture.Global, the initiative seeks to create opportunities for young innovators to gain international exposure, exchange experiences, develop their ideas, and connect with the wider global innovation community.

The application was therefore presented in view of the shared objectives of IFIA and Innovation World in supporting inventors, promoting innovation education, empowering young innovators, and expanding international cooperation.

✅ This agenda item was unanimously approved with 21 votes from the Executive Committee members.

The Executive Committee reviewed the application of New England Invents (NEI), USA, for admission as a Collaborative Member of IFIA.

NEI is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to educating, promoting, and supporting independent inventors. Its activities are designed to assist innovators in moving their ideas toward patentable, manufacturable, and commercially viable products.

The organization provides educational seminars, networking events, individual consulting and mentoring, product-pitch sessions, and guidance covering intellectual property protection, prototyping, funding, manufacturing, licensing, marketing, and commercialization.

NEI has also expanded its activities to support K–12 young innovators through educational and mentorship initiatives and has developed programs supporting military veterans and their families in independent invention and innovation.

Considering NEI’s engagement with independent inventors and its educational and commercialization activities, its application was presented as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation with IFIA’s international inventor network.

✅ This agenda item was unanimously approved with 21 votes from the Executive Committee members.

The Executive Committee received an update concerning the IFIA BRICS Department, which was established within the framework of IFIA in October 2025 to strengthen cooperation between IFIA’s global innovation network and the innovation ecosystems of BRICS and BRICS+ countries.

As part of its continued development, the IFIA–BRICS/BRICS+ Committee is being formed to bring together representatives and experts from BRICS countries while also enabling participation and cooperation with other IFIA members worldwide.

The Department and its Committee are intended to facilitate international cooperation in areas including innovation and technology, intellectual property, technology transfer, research, education, skills development, international programs, competitions, and knowledge exchange.

As part of this development, Mr. Liu Zhenying will serve as Head of the IFIA BRICS Department, supporting the coordination and further development of its international activities and cooperation.

✅ This agenda item was unanimously approved with 21 votes from the Executive Committee members.

The Executive Committee received an update on the continued development and strengthening of the IFIA Youth Department.

The IFIA Youth Department is dedicated to encouraging creativity, invention, and innovation among young people and expanding opportunities for young inventors to participate in national and international innovation activities. IFIA’s Youth Network has been active since 1995, promoting creativity and inventiveness among younger generations.

As part of IFIA’s continuing efforts to strengthen the Department, greater emphasis will be placed on engagement with young innovators, educational initiatives, international youth programs, and global innovation networks.

The development also follows the renewal of IFIA’s International Youth Invention Olympiad, reflecting an expanded focus on international youth innovation activities.

To support these activities, Ms. Juli Shively and Mr. Jake Mendelsohn are proposed to serve as representatives of the IFIA Youth Department and contribute to the expansion and coordination of its international youth activities.

✅ This agenda item was unanimously approved with 21 votes from the Executive Committee members.

The 53rd IFIA Executive Committee Meeting concluded following the presentation and consideration of all agenda items.

The meeting reflected IFIA’s continuing efforts to strengthen its global institutional network, expand cooperation with organizations supporting inventors and innovators, develop new international partnerships, and enhance the Federation’s activities in the areas of youth innovation and international cooperation.

The IFIA Secretariat expressed its appreciation to the members of the Executive Committee for their continued participation, cooperation, and contribution to the Federation’s activities and international development.

The official meeting communication stated that the Secretariat would compile the votes, comments, and feedback received from Executive Committee members and subsequently communicate the final decisions concerning the relevant agenda items.