The Women Empowerment Vertical of the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BRICS CCI WE), in partnership with Nippon Paint India as Lead Programme Partner, has announced the launch of the third edition of its flagship Global Women Leadership Programme (GWLP). A transformative initiative, the GWLP is aimed at empowering women professionals and entrepreneurs from BRICS+ nations and other partner countries through an impactful mentorship and learning model. Over the years, it has emerged as one of the most ambitious and influential platforms for nurturing women leaders who can transcend borders and industries.
The GWLP is carefully designed to elevate leadership capabilities, foster international connections, and provide invaluable insights to participants. At its core, the programme combines mentorship from global industry leaders with structured learning, allowing women entrepreneurs and professionals to gain exposure to new ideas, sharpen their skills, and develop a global mindset. With each successive edition, the GWLP has grown in scale, ambition, and influence, reflecting its commitment to creating a truly inclusive ecosystem for women’s leadership. The programme receives knowledge support from two key partners: ThinkStartup, an entrepreneurship education platform, and Sheatwork, a knowledge hub for women entrepreneurs. Together, these organizations enrich the programme with cutting-edge knowledge and practical expertise.
This year’s edition of GWLP carries several unique opportunities for participants. The top three global candidates will be awarded a fully funded trip to India to attend the Convocation Ceremony, where they will be felicitated alongside industry leaders and policymakers. In addition, a special trophy will be awarded to the best project that successfully implements Nudge Theory, with the recognition to be presented at the BRICS CCI WE Annual Summit & Felicitations 2026 by the Cheistha Kochhar Foundation. These incentives are not only symbolic of excellence but also encourage participants to translate their learnings into actionable, impactful projects.
Past editions of the GWLP have demonstrated its life-changing potential. The programme has brought together mentors and mentees from countries across the BRICS+ network, including India, Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, and the UAE, among others. Participants have consistently described the experience as transformative, enabling them to think globally while acting locally. A shining example of the programme’s impact is Ms. Mahadi Mosia from South Africa, the winner of GWLP 2024, who went on to be recognized as one of 18 global winners in the BRICS Women’s Startup Contest, chosen from more than 1,000 women entrepreneurs worldwide. Her success story underlines the ability of the programme to provide visibility, recognition, and pathways to global opportunities.
Announcing the third edition, Ms. Ruby Sinha, President, BRICS CCI WE, underscored the organisation’s vision of building a robust ecosystem where women not only participate but also lead in the global economy. She stated, “At BRICS CCI WE, we are committed to building an inclusive ecosystem where women don’t just participate in the global economy—they lead it. Global research shows that mentored entrepreneurs are twice as likely to succeed, and for women, this guidance is often the difference between staying small and scaling globally. Through the Global Women Leadership Programme, our objective is to equip women with the global mindset, mentorship, and networks they need to thrive across borders as leaders.”
Echoing these sentiments, Mr. Sharad Malhotra, Director, Nippon Paint India, highlighted the company’s ongoing association with the initiative. He remarked, “Our ongoing association with the Global Women Leadership Programme reflects a shared vision—to create an enabling ecosystem where women’s leadership is nurtured, scaled, and celebrated. Each edition of GWLP has strengthened our conviction that when women are given the right platform and support, they rise—not just individually, but collectively, driving sustainable and inclusive growth across industries and geographies.” Nippon Paint India’s commitment draws from the legacy of its parent, the NIPSEA Group, Asia Pacific’s leading paint and coatings manufacturer. Headquartered in Singapore, the group operates in 28 countries with 118 manufacturing facilities and over 31,000 employees, and has been driving innovation, excellence, and sustainability in the industry for over six decades. Its support for initiatives like GWLP reflects its broader vision of enabling communities and empowering individuals.
The programme itself is structured as a four-month hybrid module, combining online and in-person engagement. Participants will benefit from mentorship sessions with global experts, interactive workshops, and peer-to-peer exchanges. The curriculum covers a wide range of leadership-focused modules, including Leadership Principles, the application of Nudge Theory in Leadership, the evolving Sustainability Narrative, and the distinction between Entrepreneurial and Managerial Leadership. Real-time projects further ensure that participants are able to apply theoretical concepts to practical scenarios, making the learning process both immersive and outcome-driven.
The GWLP culminates in two flagship events. The first is the Ideas Pitch Fest, where participants present their ventures and innovative ideas before an esteemed panel of industry leaders, investors, and policymakers. This not only gives them exposure to valuable feedback but also opens up avenues for potential funding and collaboration. The second milestone is the Convocation Ceremony, which takes place as part of the BRICS CCI WE Annual Summit & Felicitations. Organized annually around International Women’s Day, the ceremony celebrates the achievements of participants and awards them the prestigious BRICS CCI WE Certificate of Completion, formally recognizing their journey as global women leaders.
With unwavering support from industry partners like Nippon Paint India, the Global Women Leadership Programme continues to be a pioneering initiative that nurtures women’s leadership across diverse sectors and geographies. Its growing recognition and impact underline the urgent need for such platforms in today’s interconnected world, where women’s leadership is increasingly seen as a driver of sustainable growth and inclusive development. The initiative is rooted in the mission of BRICS CCI WE, the women’s vertical of the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry (established in 2012), which has long worked to strengthen trade, commerce, and entrepreneurship across BRICS+ nations. By championing women leaders through mentorship, networking, and knowledge-sharing, BRICS CCI WE ensures that women professionals and entrepreneurs have the tools and platforms they need to thrive globally.
Applications for the third edition of GWLP are now open, and interested candidates can apply via the official registration link: https://forms.gle/nJzL6fn7Sr14o5Gb9.