About the Alliance
Who we are
The BRICS Youth Alliance connects young people to opportunities, collaborative platforms and forums across the BRICS ecosystem. It works to link emerging leaders, institutions and communities engaged in the BRICS process, and to support young people in building relationships that extend across borders. The Alliance operates on the premise that meaningful participation by young people — in dialogue, in policy discussion and in collective initiatives — strengthens the durability of the cooperation it supports.
Our vision
To foster an international environment in which young people across BRICS nations and the wider global community can advance cooperation and contribute their perspectives to diplomacy, innovation, leadership, entrepreneurship, and sustainable and humanitarian action.
Our mandate
The BRICS Youth Alliance was established as a unified platform to strengthen cooperation within the BRICS framework and to amplify the perspectives of young people within it. The Alliance works to expand access to opportunity, to connect emerging leaders across borders, and to build the networks and capabilities young people need to engage with the shared challenges of the twenty-first century.
Why BRICS matters
The BRICS grouping — Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and the expanding circle of BRICS Plus partners — represents more than a coalition of major economies. It reflects a broader shift toward multipolar cooperation and the increasing weight of the Global South in shaping international affairs.
As member states deepen collaboration across trade, technology, sustainable development and cultural exchange, the decisions taken within this framework carry growing consequences for the direction of global governance. The BRICS Youth Alliance exists to ensure that the generation who will inherit these outcomes also has a voice in shaping them.
Our objectives
Expand youth representation in dialogue and decision-making processes connected to the BRICS framework, ensuring young people have structured avenues to contribute to discussions that affect their future.
Broaden access to international programmes and exchange opportunities for students and young professionals across BRICS and BRICS Plus nations, with particular attention to participants from underrepresented regions and institutions.
Strengthen a durable, cross-border network of youth organisations, schools and institutional partners capable of sustaining cooperation beyond any single event or programme cycle.
Advance youth engagement in sustainable development, supporting practical, youth-led contributions to climate resilience and clean-energy innovation.
Promote the health, safety and empowerment of young women across BRICS nations through targeted initiatives such as BRICS4Her.
Build the next generation of institutional leadership by developing young people’s capacity — through fellowships, programme leadership roles and mentorship — to take on greater responsibility within the Alliance and in public life more broadly.
Solution pillars
Uniting globally connected young leaders across BRICS nations, equipping them to shape the future through collaboration in diplomacy, sustainability, entrepreneurship, policy and humanitarian action.
Supporting youth-led technology, entrepreneurship and digital initiatives, facilitating cross-national knowledge exchange to advance inclusive and resilient development.
Connecting young people through international dialogue and intercultural collaboration, strengthening multilateral cooperation across BRICS nations and beyond.
Championing youth-led climate action and clean-energy innovation to build resilient communities and a balanced future.
Advancing inclusion, social development and community engagement to foster equity and solidarity across nations.
Founding Director
Madhish Parikh is the Founding Director of the BRICS Youth Alliance and a globally recognised youth leader committed to advancing international cooperation, youth diplomacy and sustainable development.
He has led numerous cross-border initiatives that foster collaboration among young leaders, policymakers and institutions across BRICS nations and beyond. Madhish is also the Founder and President of Elixir Foundation. Through his leadership, he continues to champion youth-led innovation, cultural diplomacy and global partnerships that empower the next generation of changemakers.
Our history
Since its founding, the BRICS Youth Alliance has grown from a founding initiative into a cross-border network connecting students, young professionals and partner institutions across the BRICS nations.
01
The Alliance is established with the mandate of amplifying youth voices within the BRICS framework.
02
The Alliance convenes its first major youth dialogue initiative in collaboration with the Russian BRICS Presidency, bringing together participants from seventeen Indian cities.
03
In partnership with Russia’s Movement of the First, the Alliance extends its work into secondary schools, beginning with an initial cohort of partner institutions.
04
The Alliance formalises its international exchange and fellowship pathway, connecting students, professionals, journalists and innovators to international platforms.
05
The Alliance expands into women’s health and empowerment programming, including a youth-led cervical cancer awareness initiative developed with medical partners.
06
Alliance delegates participate in the World Public Summit India, the International BRICS Youth Council, the Siberia Youth Expo and the World Youth Festival, among other platforms.
Today, the Alliance continues to expand its network of partner schools, institutions and countries, with a growing cohort of Youth Fellows contributing to its ongoing programmes.
