What this article explains
This article explains how the Friendship Bench name, model, logo, materials, and public identity may be used. It is for community members, individuals, organisations, media, funders, researchers, and anyone who wants to refer to Friendship Bench publicly.
We want people to talk about Friendship Bench accurately and respectfully. We also need to protect the communities we serve, the people delivering the model and the integrity of the evidence-based intervention.
Friendship Bench is a protected name and model
Friendship Bench® is a registered trademark. The name "Friendship Bench" is protected regardless of capitalisation, stylisation, or formatting.
Please do not use the Friendship Bench name, logo, materials, bench signage, training content, or public programme claims unless you have received written approval from Friendship Bench.
This includes:
- Creating a bench, service, campaign, project, event or social media account called "Friendship Bench"
- Using the Friendship Bench logo or visual identity
- Describing your activity as an official Friendship Bench programme
- Training people using Friendship Bench materials without approval
- Fundraising, advertising, or seeking partners under the Friendship Bench name
- Creating local pages or handles such as "Friendship Bench [Country/City]" without approval
Inspired by Friendship Bench vs official Friendship Bench
You may describe Friendship Bench as an inspiration if you are clear that your work is independent and not approved, trained, supervised, or endorsed by Friendship Bench.
Please do not present an independent activity as an official Friendship Bench programme. An official programme normally includes an assessment and a structured partnership agreement.
What you can do without approval
You may:
- Share links to the official website: friendshipbench.org
- Reference Friendship Bench in academic, journalistic or educational discussion with proper attribution
- Encourage a local organisation, health facility, government department, or funder to contact us
- Contact us to explore whether formal implementation is possible in your setting
When referring to Friendship Bench publicly, please use the name accurately and avoid implying endorsement unless written approval has been given.
What requires written approval
Written approval is required before you:
- Use the Friendship Bench logo or brand assets
- Create co-branded materials
- Use Friendship Bench on signage, benches, uniforms, reports, websites, or social media pages
- Deliver training under the Friendship Bench name
- Launch or promote a programme as Friendship Bench
- Translate, adapt, or distribute Friendship Bench materials
- Use Friendship Bench in fundraising, sponsorship, grant proposals, or paid campaigns
How to request permission
Email global@friendshipbench.org and include:
- Your name, role, and organisation (if applicable)
- Your country and community
- What you would like to do
- Whether you are requesting implementation, brand use, media use, research collaboration, or another form of approval
- Any draft materials, links, logos, or campaign plans you have already prepared
The global team will review your request and guide you to the right pathway.