The BRICS Women’s Entrepreneurship Forum, held from 2nd-4th June 2024 in Moscow, brought together over 400 delegates from 30 countries, focusing on advancing women’s entrepreneurship within the BRICS nations. This event, a significant part of Russia’s BRICS Chairmanship for 2024, highlighted various initiatives aimed at empowering women in business and technology sectors.
Key highlights
- Launch of the BRICS WBA Common Digital Platform One of the forum’s major milestones was the introduction of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance (WBA) Common Digital Platform. This platform is designed to facilitate the search for business partners, exchange experiences, and enhance cultural interactions among women entrepreneurs across BRICS countries. The digital solution aims to streamline project work and ensure seamless integration of new participants into the global business environment of women’s entrepreneurship (BRICS Women).
- BRICS Women’s Start-ups Contest The forum also saw the launch of the BRICS Women’s Start-ups Contest, which aims to identify and support the best women-led start-up business models within the BRICS countries. Entrepreneurs can apply from 4th June to 31st July 2024, with the awards ceremony scheduled during the BRICS Business Forum in October 2024. The contest encourages innovation and provides a platform for scaling successful business ventures (TV BRICS).
- Focus on Technology and Innovation Emphasising the importance of technology and innovation, the forum included discussions on finance, industry, tourism, creative industries, inclusive economy, and sustainable development. Sessions underscored the critical role of women in these fields and the need for targeted initiatives to bridge gender gaps in leadership and venture capital access (Sheatwork).
- Exhibition “Made in BRICS by Women” An exhibition showcasing products and services from women entrepreneurs within the BRICS countries was held, featuring items ranging from textiles and clothing to handicrafts. This exhibition provided a platform for women to display their entrepreneurial achievements and fostered networking opportunities among participants (BRICS Women).
- Cultural and Networking Activities The forum included cultural events, such as a gala dinner in traditional Russian style, allowing delegates to experience the rich culture of Russia and network in a more informal setting. Additionally, foreign delegations were given tours of Moscow, enhancing intercultural understanding and cooperation (TV BRICS).
Key takeaways
- Empowerment Through Technology: The forum highlighted the significant strides women are making in technology and entrepreneurship across BRICS countries, emphasising the need for continued support and investment in these areas.
- Collaborative Initiatives: The launch of the digital platform and the start-ups contest demonstrate BRICS’ commitment to fostering collaborative and innovative initiatives that support women entrepreneurs.
- Inclusive Economic Growth: The discussions and activities at the forum underscore the importance of inclusive economic growth, with a strong focus on gender equality and women’s empowerment in various sectors.
- Cultural Exchange and Networking: Events like the gala dinner and city tours facilitated cultural exchange and networking, crucial for building strong, supportive networks among women entrepreneurs within the BRICS nations.
The BRICS Women’s Entrepreneurship Forum served as a crucial platform for addressing the challenges and opportunities in advancing women’s roles in entrepreneurship and technology, aiming to create a more inclusive and equitable economic environment across BRICS countries. For more detailed information, you can visit BRICS Women and Sheatwork.
