Beginning in spring of 2020 this three-year, co-created accelerator programme has been designed alongside IKEA regional representatives (IKSO - IKEA Chile, Colombia, Peru & Inter IKEA in Brazil). It will support 12 selected social entrepreneurs who are looking to scale their businesses but need specific advice on how to do so. Each participant will receive tailor-made guidance combining mentoring, coaching, training and implementation support from IKEA and NESsT in the areas of marketing & communications, business development and marketplace access.

The programme will work with entrepreneurs who produce sustainable products and/or who offer services that provide dignified employment and income to five key vulnerable groups across the region: low-income women, small producers, people with disabilities/different abilities, ethnic communities and at-risk youth.

Three social enterprises have joined the programme and are receiving specific guidance on how to adapt their businesses to the challenges brought on from the COVID-19 crises.