The BAPO Association Partner Programme exists to strengthen global collaboration across the prosthetic and orthotic profession. The challenges facing prosthetics and orthotics, workforce sustainability, access to education, regulation, innovation, and patient need, do not stop at national borders. Global issues require global responses, and this partnership is designed to make that possible.
Through this programme, BAPO and its partner Associations commit to supporting one another through shared knowledge, shared resources, and aligned advocacy. By working together, we can raise the international profile of the prosthetic and orthotic profession, amplify professional voices, and promote consistent standards of care worldwide.
For BAPO members, these partnerships expand professional horizons, connecting the UK profession to international perspectives, innovation, and best practice. For partner Associations and their members, the programme provides access to high quality education, professional resources, and platforms that support learning, visibility, and engagement.
At its core, this partnership is about collective strength. By collaborating globally, we build a more connected, informed, and resilient profession that is better equipped to serve patients, support practitioners, and shape the future of prosthetics and orthotics together.
If you are interested in becoming an Association Partner please contact enquiries@bapo.com
Association Partners
The association was founded as early as 1946 with the aim of promoting higher qualifications and professional standards within the field, monitoring developments, and working to ensure that its members achieved fair and equitable standards in terms of employment conditions and remuneration
The Swedish Prosthetics and Orthotics Association (SOIF) is a politically independent professional organization. Our work is guided by the values of a democratic society governed by the rule of law, as reflected in Swedish legislation as well as in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
SOIF exists to represent and support the professional interests of orthopedic engineers in Sweden.
In practice, this means that we work to:
- Promote strong opportunities for continuing professional development, advanced training, and research
- Advocate for good employment conditions and a healthy working environment
- Initiate, organize, and contribute to education that strengthens and develops the role of the orthopedic engineer
- Enhance the visibility and impact of orthopedic engineers within the healthcare system
- Support a knowledgeable, responsible profession that is well prepared to work both nationally and internationally
We greatly value collaboration with our international sister organizations and see strong potential in sharing knowledge, experience, and best practice to further strengthen our profession together
SOTF was founded in 1980 with the purpose of creating an association to meet orthopedic technicians’ needs for continuing education and knowledge exchange. Everyone working in the orthopedic technology field as a production technician/orthopedic technician is welcome as a member. A large proportion of Sweden’s orthopedic technicians are members of SOTF.
SOTF organizes webinars, training courses, and study visits. We collaborate with other interest organizations when arranging conferences.
SOTF awards generous travel grants to its members for professional development within the field.
NITO Ortopedi is Norways’ network for certified prosthetists and orthotists in the workforce, and includes students and retirees. The network brings together professionals from across the country and plays a central role in strengthening the orthopaedic engineering profession, promoting members’ interests, and supporting high‑quality services for patients.
The purpose of NITO Ortopedi is to strengthen the professional community and ensure that prosthetists and orthotists have access to updated knowledge, professional meeting places, and relevant training opportunities.
This is done by work focused to:
- develop and strengthen the profession
- influence framework conditions and policy
- safeguard the members’ professional and occupational interests
- ensure quality, ethics, and competence within the field
- be an active and visible voice in dialogue with authorities and industry stakeholders
The network offers conferences, thematic meetings, and opportunities for professional development, including grant schemes that support research and innovation within the field. It also functions as a channel for job postings and professional information for its members.
The overall aim of the network is to serve as a unifying and driving force for the profession, contribute to quality and patient safety, and ensure that the expertise of prosthetists and orthotists is recognized and valued within the health and welfare system.