BRICS Project 1.0, officially titled “The Dynamic Linkages Between Entrepreneurship, Agriculture and Climate Change in Post-COVID-19 BRICS”, was led by Professor Fulufhelo Netswera at Durban University of Technology and funded by the NIHSS under the South African BRICS Think Tank initiative. The project ran from November 2021 to October 2022 and aimed to explore how entrepreneurship, agriculture, climate change, and finance intersect in BRICS countries in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The research focused on generating multidisciplinary knowledge, building academic networks, and supporting postgraduate research development within the BRICS community.

A major milestone of the project was the successful hosting of a hybrid international conference in Durban in April 2022, which drew 32 academic papers across the four thematic areas. Scholars from all five BRICS countries contributed, with discussions centering on climate resilience, local development, entrepreneurship dynamics, and the role of the New Development Bank in post-pandemic recovery. In addition, the project produced four edited book volumes currently under review with major academic publishers (Springer, Routledge, Palgrave, and Oxford University Press), covering each of the core themes in depth. Over 70 abstracts were received for these books, and 55 full papers were accepted for peer review.

Capacity development was central to the project, with four postgraduate students receiving direct support and over 500 others engaged through workshops and seminars. The team also initiated the first-ever BRICS Postgraduate Research Forum, hosted in Brazil in September 2022, which received 375 registrations and featured 60 paper presentations by master’s and PhD students. Moreover, the project established a dedicated BRICS knowledge platform, signed two institutional MOUs, and laid the groundwork for future research collaborations and a potential BRICS Research Centre at DUT.

BRICS Project 1.0 not only produced valuable knowledge and policy-relevant outputs but also helped build momentum for BRICS Project 2.0 and future initiatives in climate finance, circular economy, and sustainable development.

Key Activities – BRICS Project 1.0

1. Hosted a Hybrid International Conference (Durban, April 2022):
   Organized a high-level research conference with participants from all BRICS countries, featuring thematic panels on climate change, agriculture, entrepreneurship, and development finance.

Link to photos: Pictures

1. Co-organized the BRICS Postgraduate Forum (Brazil, September 2022):
   Partnered with UNICAMP to deliver a postgraduate forum that included paper presentations, keynote lectures, and collaborative sessions for emerging scholars from BRICS countries.

Link to photos: Pictures

1. Developed Four Edited Book Volumes:
   Curated and coordinated academic publishing efforts across four thematic volumes, with manuscripts submitted to leading international publishers for peer-reviewed publication.

4. Established a Multidisciplinary Research Team:
   A multidisciplinary research team was formed to sustain the initiative and lead future work under BRICS Project 2.0.

1. Launched a Dedicated BRICS Project Website:
   Created an online platform to support visibility, knowledge sharing, open access to research outputs, and networking opportunities among BRICS academics.

Dr Ndivhuho Tshikovhi – Project lead

Ms Milena Megre Melasippo Felipeto – University of Campinas, Brazil

Dr Marina Costa Esteves Coutinho – Durham University, United Kingdom. Executive Director of ILAJUC, Brazil

Dr Roman Chukov – Institute of Economy, Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia

Mr Bhanu Joshi – Brown University, United States of America, from India

Mr. Alex Wang – Youthink Center, China

Prof Jiejin Zhu – Fudan University, China

Zamaswazi Pretty Cele – Durban University of Technology, South Africa

Fiona Langry – Durban University of Technology, South Africa