IKEA Social Entrepreneurship is all about making a positive impact. By working with pioneers and pathfinders who use their business as a way to make everyday life better for those who need it most, we strive towards a more equal and inclusive society.
For better everyday lives
There are many millions of people whose lives are a constant struggle to provide for themselves and their families. By backing and working with social entrepreneurs, we create new opportunities and contribute to better everyday lives around the world.
Together with dedicated partners and experienced IKEA co-workers, we develop programmes, products and services to scale up social entrepreneurs' businesses and increase their impact.
Different kinds of partnerships
We team up with civil society organisations to support established social entrepreneurs to increase their impact.
We collaborate with social entrepreneurs to produce unique items and develop services for IKEA – that way we contribute to creating jobs for those who need it the most.
Where we operate
Exclusion and inequality are global challenges. Our ambition is to operate in all regions to create a better everyday life for as many people as possible.
Social entrepreneur stories
Improving families’ living conditions in Brazil
One of the social entrepreneurs we collaborate with is Fernando Assad from Brazil. Through his organisation Programa Vivenda, he provides affordable and easy-to-install home improvement kits to mitigate the unsafe housing situation in Brazil’s favelas. There are about 40 million people in Brazil living in 11 million inadequate houses which pose health risks.
Read the full storyWe are guided by the IKEA vision to create a better everyday life for as many people as possible.
Our focus areas
Inclusion
Social entrepreneurs give people the opportunity to play an active part in society through jobs and income opportunities.Equality
Social entrepreneurs business that look to change the situation for people not being treated equal, especially in status, rights and opportunities - allowing them to make a decent living.Livelihood
With increased inclusion and equality comes a better change of dignified life, where people have the possibility to provide for themselves and their families in a sustainable way.
What we have achieved so far
- 20,000jobs and incomes supported through our collaborations
- 26social entrepreneurs are providing IKEA products and services to customers
- 14social entrepreneurs are part of our accelerate programmes