Mueblea
Welcome Mueblea in Colombia to our South America Accelerator
Every year on 16 October, World Food Day highlights important topics such as food waste, sustainable agriculture, biodiversity, and the challenges faced by fishing communities — all in an effort to combat climate change. This year's theme is "Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future”. It's the perfect opportunity for us to shine a spotlight on the incredible efforts of social entrepreneurs, who are making everyday life better for so many people and how they're creating a more sustainable and inclusive world.
At IKEA Social Entrepreneurship, we've supported over 250 social enterprises through direct funding and accelerator programmes. One of our three focus areas is inclusive agriculture and food. We're proud to have supported nearly 90 social enterprises that are revolutionising food production and packaging, streamlining supply chains, and addressing food waste with innovative solutions, all while empowering smallholder farming communities.
Weather prediction technology for enhanced farming
Ignitia, a pioneering Swedish social enterprise supported by our Dela programme, leverages AI to provide accurate weather forecasts tailored specifically to benefit smallholder farmers in tropical regions around the equator. Farmers receive crucial data and invaluable guidance on planting, input application, and harvesting, delivered through accessible platforms like WhatsApp and SMS. This enhances crop production, resulting in larger yields and higher incomes.
By recognising the critical impact of climate change on vulnerable populations, Ignitia utilises advanced techniques to bolster climate resilience, offering forecasts that traditional models often miss. Their efforts have reached over three million people, and they've expanded their services beyond Africa to Latin America and Asia, fostering preparedness and boosting agricultural yields.
A farmer from Ghana using Ignitia’s service shared, "I got a very good yield because of the SMS I got for weather forecasts. I planted at the right time when the rainfall was at its peak."
Empowering local communities through job creation
Java Fresh, founded in 2014, transforms the lives of Indonesian farmers by tapping into the rising global demand for fresh fruit. The company conducts research and develops technology to extend the shelf-life of tropical fruits, meaning more people have access to exotic fruits at more affordable prices. By building packing houses at the source, Java Fresh generates jobs within local farming communities, notably for women in rural areas. It also empowers micro-farmers and women-packers in Java and Bali by offering essential skills and tools, fostering a sustainable, fair economy.
By enabling economies of scale, they provide work access for women. They currently collaborate with over 3000 micro-farmers, 120 women-packers, and 30 middlemen, supporting the preservation of two village forests. Their efforts yield over 600 tons of fruit annually, shipped to 23 countries, all harvested and packed in Indonesia's rural areas.
Simplifying supply chains for sustainable fishing
SmartFish, a pioneering social enterprise that participated in the Mexico Accelerator Programme, is transforming the marine product supply chain. The company has developed and implemented traceability technology to ensure that fishers receive fair compensation for high-quality catches from artisanal cooperatives. In Mexico, 80% of marine species are facing overexploitation, and 40% of artisanal fishermen live in poverty. SmartFish addresses both of these challenges by balancing sustainability with economic empowerment. It offers marine products sourced from certified sustainable fishing cooperatives, allowing fishers to earn more by fishing less and accessing superior markets.
To date, SmartFish has created over thirty jobs, benefiting around 650 people in six communities. By reducing intermediaries and negotiating prices directly, SmartFish promotes transparency, secures higher profit margins for fishermen, and demonstrates the positive impact of social enterprise.
IKEA customers in Mexico can find SmartFish products in the Swedish Food Market in selected IKEA stores. Join on a fishing ride and get a glimpse in this short video.
Combatting food waste and empowering communities
Established in 2000, the Olsztyn Food Bank (OFB) in Poland plays a crucial role in rescuing food and promoting zero-waste. By acquiring surplus food, the company donates it to social organisations supporting excluded communities, thereby reducing food waste and fostering sustainability.
Beyond food aid, Olsztyn Food Bank engages the community through educational workshops on zero-waste cooking, smart shopping, and conscious eating. It also conducts training and placement programs designed to enhance employability for youth and those facing long-term unemployment by offering courses in professional culinary skills.
Following the outbreak of war in Ukraine, Olsztyn Food Bank has shifted its efforts to assist refugee women in securing jobs. The association provides food and catering training, childcare during sessions, psychological support, language courses, CV creation assistance, and job matching services. This initiative proved effective, with 40% of attendees in 2022 securing long-term employment in the food service sector.
Promoting economic development and sustainable consumption
In Chile, Wen Kimey champions economic growth by supporting Mapuche communities through pine nut products, addressing social and environmental challenges with innovative agricultural practices. The social enterprise participated in our South America Accelerator Programme, co-created with our partner NESsT.
Wen Kimey works in Chile's Araucanía region to empower Mapuche communities, the largest indigenous group in the country, by sourcing pine nuts from over 100 families. The gathering of pine nuts is an ancestral practice engaging entire families during the harvesting season. Wen Kimey produces pine nut flour, couscous, coffee, preserved nuts, and jam. These vitamin-rich products are sold to restaurants, health stores, and cooperatives in the region, providing a stable income and promoting good health.