Social impact is everyone's business and our first cohort is here!

Sweden is known for equality, innovation and a strong social fabric, yet too many people still face barriers to inclusion, employment and wellbeing. At IKEA, we believe we have both a responsibility and a privilege to contribute to the society we want to live in and create a better everyday life for the many people. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.  

“We've sided with the many people for over eighty years, and it has never been more important to be part of creating a better everyday life for everyone in Sweden. IKEA is built on entrepreneurship, and through this initiative, we can support social entrepreneurs who make a difference every day and show that the business community has an important role in creating a more inclusive Sweden”, says Emily Birkin, Country Manager and Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA Sweden. 

Introducing the first cohort 

After high interest in the programme, we're excited to welcome the 11 enterprises selected for the first cohort:  

• Belong builds bridges and strengthens social connections between new and established Swedes through mentorship and networking. 
• Cirkulärfabriken drives the transition to a more sustainable society by combining circular furniture management with social inclusion.  
• CONEXI facilitates impactful connections and career advancement for newcomers, transforming lives through mentorship and engagement with Sweden's job market. 
• Drömstort creates inclusive paths to education, jobs and leadership for at-risk youth, through a holistic model that unites school, leisure, mentoring and working life. 
• FCV Sweden strengthens young people's motivation and faith in the future through game-based learning and learning tools. 
• Funki develops inclusive musical instruments, enabling people with disabilities to build confidence, self-esteem and a sense of belonging. 
• Jobbentrén creates successful and long-term employment opportunities together with long-term unemployed foreign-born talents and employers. 
• Matmissionen reduces food waste, alleviates food poverty and offers steps towards self-sufficiency through a chain of social food stores. 
• Re:Staff combines professional warehouse services with creating secure and meaningful jobs for people who are far from the labour market.  
• RecoMended extends the lifespan of textile products and enable scalable, profitable and circular business models.  
• Watoto designs and produces inclusive dolls that strengthen children's sense of belonging through play while creating secure employment opportunities for women. 

Read more about these inspiring social enterprises.

"The participating entrepreneurs show the potential that exists in contributing to solutions to our biggest social and labour market challenges," says Åsa Skogström Feldt, CEO of IKEA Social Entrepreneurship.   

"The selected entrepreneurs combine business acumen with social commitment and show how entrepreneurship can be a force for inclusion, sustainability and faith in the future. They run companies that make a difference – businesses that both contribute to societal benefit and make a difference," added Sofia Breitholtz, CEO of Reach for Change. 

Tailored support for greater impact 

Over the next three years, we'll provide 22 social enterprises with long-term, hands-on support. Each will receive tailored support and funding to scale their impact, including guidance from IKEA co-workers. 11 senior IKEA leaders have already committed to supporting the first cohort of enterprises during their time in the programme. 

This partnership builds on more than 12 years of IKEA working with 230+ social enterprises around the world. Now, through Everyone’s Business, we continue that journey in Sweden, the home of IKEA, supporting innovators who share our vision of a more inclusive, sustainable and hopeful future. 

We also hope to inspire more companies to take responsibility and recognise the business potential in contributing to solutions to our greatest societal challenges.