**Executive Summary**
The BRICS Youth Council Entrepreneurship Working Group Meeting commenced on May 20, 2026, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, as part of India’s BRICS Chairship. Organized by the Department of Youth Affairs, the event focuses on the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” The meeting aims to strengthen cooperation among youth entrepreneurs and policymakers to drive innovation-led sustainable growth and shape the future of work.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Demographic and Strategic Importance**
* BRICS nations represent nearly half of the world’s population, with over 50% of people in many member economies below the age of 35.
* India’s demographic strength is highlighted by nearly 65% of its population being under the age of 35, positioning the youth to drive transformational change.
* The meeting emphasizes utilizing this demographic dividend to shape the future of work through skilling, digital inclusion, and enterprise-led growth.
**Thematic Focus and Sectors**
* The agenda includes dedicated discussions on digital innovation, technology-driven entrepreneurship, and social and inclusive entrepreneurship.
* Emphasis is placed on green entrepreneurship and climate-positive business models to ensure sustainable growth.
* Key sectors identified for emerging opportunities include Artificial Intelligence (AI), fintech, agritech, sustainability, and clean energy.
**Collaborative Frameworks**
* A dedicated session titled “From Local Innovation to Global Impact” provides a platform for member countries to exchange best practices and developmental experiences.
* The working group serves as a vehicle to identify practical and scalable approaches for building resilient, future-ready entrepreneurial ecosystems across diverse economic contexts.
* The event encourages cross-country learning to transform local innovations into solutions with global impact.
**Event Activities**
* The program features an exhibition showcasing innovations in technology, sustainability, and social enterprise.
* Interactive engagements include plenary discussions, fireside conversations with entrepreneurs, and networking sessions.
* Ongoing activities include workshops and interactive sessions designed to foster long-term partnerships and collaboration among participants.
**Impact Analysis**
**Youth Entrepreneurs**
**Impact**
They gain a global platform to showcase innovations, access networking opportunities, and learn from the best practices of other BRICS nations. They are recognized as key drivers of employment and inclusive growth.
**Action Required**
Engage in workshops, fireside conversations, and networking sessions to share experiences and identify scalable business models.
**BRICS Member Nations**
**Impact**
Member countries benefit from strengthened cooperation and the identification of practical approaches to build resilient entrepreneurial ecosystems. The collaboration facilitates the exchange of ideas to address locally relevant and globally adaptable challenges.
**Action Required**
Participate in plenary sessions and working group discussions to share national initiatives and coordinate on regional entrepreneurship strategies.
**Government and Policymakers**
**Impact**
The meeting reinforces India’s commitment to youth-led innovation and provides a framework for policymakers to support digital inclusion and decent employment opportunities.
**Action Required**
Deliberate on policy frameworks that support startup ecosystems, specifically focusing on youth from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities to ensure inclusive growth.
Key Entities Referenced
BRICS Youth Council Entrepreneurship Working Group: A body focused on strengthening cooperation in entrepreneurship and promoting innovation-led sustainable growth among BRICS member nations.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports: The nodal ministry of the Government of India responsible for organizing the BRICS youth entrepreneurship meeting and promoting youth-led innovation.
India’s BRICS Chairship 2026: The leadership framework under which India hosted the BRICS Youth Council meeting to foster international cooperation and startup ecosystems.
Indore, Madhya Pradesh: The host city and state in India where the BRICS Youth Council Entrepreneurship Working Group Meeting was held.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Demographic strength gives BRICS countries an
opportunity to shape the future of work : Dr
Mansukh Mandaviya
When BRICS nations work together and learn from each
other, local innovations can create global impact : MoS
Raksha Khadse
BRICS Youth Council Entrepreneurship Working Group
Meeting underway in under India’s BRICS Chairship
Posted On: 20 MAY 2026 6:57PM by PIB Delhi
The BRICS Youth Council Entrepreneurship Working Group Meeting is currently underway in Indore,
Madhya Pradesh, as part of India’s BRICS Chairship 2026. The meeting has brought together youth
entrepreneurs, delegates, policymakers, and stakeholders from BRICS countries to deliberate on
strengthening cooperation in entrepreneurship and promoting innovation-led sustainable growth.
Organised by the Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of
India, the meeting is being held under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and
Sustainability.”Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, joined the event through video
conferencing and addressed the participants. In his remarks, he underscored the demographic strength that
gives BRICS countries an opportunity to shape the future of work.
He further stated, “Together, our countries represent nearly half of the world’s population. Across many
BRICS economies, more than 50% of the population is below the age of 35. India alone has nearly 65% of
its population below the age of 35. This demographic strength gives BRICS countries an opportunity to
shape the future of work. Across BRICS nations, young people are already driving transformational
change.”
He further noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has made remarkable
progress in expanding decent employment opportunities and building one of the world’s most vibrant
start-up ecosystems through focused efforts on skilling, digital inclusion and enterprise-led growth.
A dedicated session on “From Local Innovation to Global Impact: BRICS Cooperation for a Youth-Led
Startup Ecosystem” brought together participating BRICS countries to present their experiences,
initiatives, and best practices in the field of entrepreneurship. The session provided a platform for
exchange of ideas and discussions on strengthening startup ecosystems and enhancing cooperation among
BRICS countries.
Addressing the session, Smt. Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, said,
“When BRICS nations work together and learn from each other, local innovations can create global
impact.”She also highlighted India’s rapidly growing startup ecosystem and noted that youth from smaller towns
and Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities are increasingly building successful enterprises, reflecting the country’s
commitment towards inclusive and youth-led innovation.
Addressing the plenary session, Dr. Pallavi Jain Govil, Secretary, Department of Youth Affairs,
highlighted the growing importance of youth entrepreneurship in driving innovation and inclusive growth.
She stated, “Youth-led entrepreneurship is increasingly being recognized as a key driver of innovation,
employment and inclusive growth. As our economies continue to evolve, young entrepreneurs are playing
an important role in shaping solutions that are both locally relevant and globally adaptable.”She further emphasised that the BRICS Entrepreneurship Working Group provides an important platform
for member countries to exchange developmental experiences and identify practical and scalable
approaches for strengthening resilient and future-ready entrepreneurial ecosystems across diverse
economic contexts. The inaugural session was attended by Shri Vishwas Kailash Sarang, Minister of
Sports and Youth Welfare, Government of Madhya Pradesh and ; Shri Nitesh Kumar Mishra, Additional
Secretary, Department of Youth Affairs, Government of India; delegates from BRICS member countries;
senior government officials; youth entrepreneurs; and stakeholders from the entrepreneurship and
innovation ecosystem.The event commenced with the inauguration of an exhibition showcasing innovations and entrepreneurial
initiatives across sectors including technology, sustainability, and social enterprise. The programme also
featured plenary discussions and interactive engagements focused on strengthening youth-led
entrepreneurial ecosystems across BRICS countries.
The meeting also featured thematic panel discussions focusing on digital innovation and technology-
driven entrepreneurship, social and inclusive entrepreneurship, and green entrepreneurship and climate-
positive business models. The discussions explored emerging opportunities for young entrepreneurs across
sectors such as AI, fintech, agritech, sustainability, and clean energy, while also highlighting the
importance of inclusive growth and community-driven enterprise.
In addition to the panel discussions, the programme included interactive networking engagements and a
fireside conversation with young entrepreneurs, aimed at encouraging dialogue, collaboration, and cross-
country learning among participants.
The meeting has provided an opportunity for delegates to share experiences, exchange best practices, and
explore avenues for deeper cooperation in entrepreneurship and innovation across BRICS countries.
The programme will continue with workshops, discussions, and interactive sessions aimed at fostering
partnerships and strengthening collaboration among young entrepreneurs from BRICS countries.
The BRICS Youth Council Entrepreneurship Working Group Meeting reflects India’s continued
commitment to promoting youth-led innovation, entrepreneurship, and international cooperation during its
BRICS Chairship.
*****
Pawan Singh Faujdar
(Release ID: 2263380) Visitor Counter : 177
Read this release in: Urdu , ही , Gujarati , Malayalam