IKEA women empowering women creating ripples of impact

Today, we meet two IKEA co-workers: Tasha Davita Fiscarina Sianturi, Sustainability Business Partner and Simi Gauba, Project Leader Development Centre. Both are dedicated to working with social entrepreneurs who support the improved livelihoods of women, but through different approaches. While Simi works to support entrepreneurs within our value chain – social business partners that create products for collections like FRÖDD, SAGOGRYN, ÅKERNEJLIKA and now MÄVINN in IKEA – Tasha supports social enterprises outside of our value, those selected to participate in accelerator programmes co-created and funded by IKEA Social Entrepreneurship. 

Tasha is currently working at the IKEA franchisor Dairy Farm International in Indonesia, where she leads the local accelerator programme, co-created with Instellar. This programme, which has been successfully running for four years, has supported 20 local social enterprises, many founded and led by women. 38 IKEA co-workers have also actively participated in the programme to support and mentor the social enterprises that join. 

“When opening the registration for the accelerator to social enterprises, we strongly encourage women to apply for the programme, as they are people from vulnerable and marginalised groups that we would like to support, and inclusivity is a crucial aspect of programme. We have also observed that women often have a broader perspective in identifying business opportunities that can have a positive impact on their communities”, says Tasha.  

One of the driving forces for some entrepreneurs come from frustration with societal issues, such as the worsening waste situation in Indonesia better. By participating in the accelerator programme, the participants getting support from IKEA co-workers to further develop and scale their businesses and impact. This programme offers dual benefits: entrepreneurs gain valuable guidance, while mentors acquire insights into local market challenges and new business models, which they can then bring back to IKEA. 

So far, 12 of the 20 social enterprises supporting through the programme have been female led. These women are either founders or leaders of businesses dedicated to creating social impact. 

 "I'm incredibly proud to offer mentorship through the IKEA Social Entrepreneurship program, empowering women to start and grow their own businesses. By doing so, we are making a positive change for families and having a positive impact on society," says Tasha. “In January 2024, the second cohort of the programme was finalised, and we are now looking forward and hoping to launch an open call to find the next new inspiring social enterprises for the third cohort in the next few months.” 

Since 2012 IKEA has been working to empower women to develop products, making beautiful, handcrafted cushion covers, ceramics, handwoven baskets and many more for IKEA customers worldwide.  

Simi Gauba has been working with social entrepreneurship product development, empowering women to bring their knowledge into the design process, since 2021. She says, this is all about collaboration between artisans, product developers and designers in IKEA, by utilising their unique craftsmanship, that many women have learnt maybe from their mothers, and they from their mothers, a tradition that often extends far back in family ancestry continues.  

Many great design ideas are born from the creativity and skillset of women, who use their extensive knowledge of local skills in handicraft products to add unique value. Whether it’s incorporating an extra tassel, intricate embroidery, or other artisanal techniques, women’s contributions enhance the beauty and functionality of these items, making each piece special and creating a social impact where it's needed the most. 

It’s about building a better world and improving the livelihoods of many women who otherwise do not have access to the job market. 

"In rural areas, many women have struggled to find employment close to their family and friends, as most jobs have moved to cities. Our social entrepreneurship partners are mostly located in villages, thus, fostering positive impact in society,” says Simi. 

Doi Tung, another social business partner, has a mission to ensure that their people are self-reliant without compromising the environment or their own cultural values. They have revived natural forests devastated by opium production and improved healthcare and education. Handicraft is one of the ways to create long term livelihoods for its tribal groups. Another example is Du Anyam, situated on an isolated Indonesian island, providing employment to the local women. 

"It's amazing to see and contribute, in our own humble way, to help women become financially independent which makes a significant difference in their lives and the impact it has on their families and the wider community," says Simi. "Today, women working at Rangsutra, one of our social entrepreneurship partners in India, have access to opening own bank accounts, which has been a game-changer for many.  

“With the MÄVINN collection we are empowering women and creating a brighter, and better tomorrow, but MÄVINN is not just a collection; it's about changing the world – one small step at a time for many women," adds Simi.