We will pose the inverse problem question within the Krupka variational sequence framework. In particular, the interplay of inverse problems with symmetry and invariance properties will be exploited considering that the cohomology class of the variational Lie derivative of an equivalence class of forms, closed in the variational sequence, is trivial. We will focalize on the case of symmetries of globally defined field equations which are only locally variational and prove that variations of local...