Empowering women around the world to create better opportunities

The IKEA Foundation and our partners are helping young women in poor communities grow their ambitions and learn the skills they need to find a job.

As International Women’s Day (8 March 2019) approaches, we’ll be sharing the ambitions and achievements of young women living in some of the world’s poorest communities. We want to celebrate a generation on the move towards creating a fairer, more balanced world.

For every 100 young men aged 25–34 living in poverty, there are 122 equally poor women of the same age.* Many factors contribute to this disparity. Young women living in poverty are more likely to marry early and have children. This means they often lose the opportunity of an education and with it the possibility of decent work and a better income.

Women do at least twice as much unpaid care work as men, which includes housework and childcare. In some cases, subsistence farming adds to their work burden.

But when women have decent work for fair pay, they can invest more in the health and education of their families. They also lead the way for younger generations of women and start to change the stereotypes that keep so many young women in poverty.

With our partners in South Asia and East Africa – such as Going to School and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) – we’re helping young women develop the skills they need to get decent work, start a business or study further.

Nikki lives with her parents in Garhibohr village, a few kilometers from Rohtak City Centre in Haryana. At just 19 years old Nikki, from a room in her parents’ house she runs her own tailoring cum beauty parlour shop. With the support of Disha Project, she followed a three-day start-up training, with follow-up hand-holding by Humana People to People India. In her order book, she has tailoring orders from 40 different customers! Her plan is to expand her business and set up her very own shop in the main market.

Rosette Muhoza is another shining example to budding entrepreneurs. She is the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of My Green Home, and a current Kepler student in healthcare management. Our partner Kepler provides students in East Africa with a high-quality university education that is affordable and relevant for the job opportunities around them. Graduates receive a US-accredited degree from Southern New Hampshire University, a leader in global higher education.

Following a class project on raising awareness of environmental sustainability issues, Rosette Muhoza and her partner David Kinzuzi founded My Green Home to develop efficient waste-management and recycling services in Kigali. Her award-winning company turns food waste into organic fertiliser and plastic into paving stones. Since starting My Green Home, Rosette has learned that “entrepreneurship is a journey like any other, and to move forward you need hard work, persistence and a zeal to learn from your mistakes.”

Join us on social media as we stand in solidarity with these young women and share their hopes, dreams and achievements.

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  • 🚍 Santiago Is Driving the Future — Electrically.

Just 7 years ago, Santiago had no e-buses. Today, 38% of the fleet is electric, and it's on track for 68% by year-end — one of the most advanced systems worldwide. ⚡

This isn’t just about technology — it’s about cleaner air, better service, and more resilient cities across Latin America. 🌎

With support from @Cmsostenible and the ZEBRA Initiative (co-led by The International Council on Clean Transportation & @c40cities), Chile is setting a blueprint others can follow.

This work is part of the Leapfrogging Partnership under the Drive Electric Campaign, supported by the IKEA Foundation.

#IKEAfoundation #DriveElectric #CleanAir #ClimateAction
  • 89% of people got this question wrong — and the correct answer might surprise you. 

But it’s more than just a quiz. Knowing the facts matters. Here’s why 👇 

Climate awareness is high, and that’s a great start. However, to truly tackle one of the greatest challenges humanity faces, climate knowledge needs to catch up, so we can bring more facts into our decision-making.

The transition away from fossil fuels? Slower than it needs to be. But here’s the good news: most of the additional electricity produced today comes from renewable sources. That’s a reason for hope. 💡🌍 

The IKEA Foundation partners with @gapminder_org to spread a fact-based worldview that fuels smarter choices and lasting impact. 

🔗 Take the full quiz and upgrade your worldview – link in bio. 

#IKEAFoundation #Gapminder #RenewableEnergy
  • The IKEA Foundation supports @goglassociation to strengthen and develop the global industry around Productive Use of Renewable Energy (#PURE). Their #PuttingSolar2Work series highlights the benefits that renewable energy can bring to people like Doreen Njoroge. 

Doreen is a mother of three from rural Kenya. In 2022, she adopted an Agsol solar-powered micro-mill, which has not only reduced costs and saved time but also provided her community with cleaner flour. Her story illustrates the potential of #OffGridSolar technology to foster opportunities and resilience. 🌽 🌍

By #PuttingSolar2Work, smallholder farmers aren't just enhancing their businesses but also becoming agents of climate action and economic growth.

đź”— Visit our link in bio to learn more. 

*Image credit to Agsol/GOGLA.

#IKEAFoundation #GOGLA #RenewableEnergy
  • We’re partnering with @thecirculateinitiative to support the Responsible Sourcing Initiative in Kenya and India. This collaboration will help improve the livelihoods of waste workers and increase the responsible sourcing of recycled plastics.

Through training and skills development, the initiative aims to:

âś… Support 500+ waste enterprises.
âś… Generate 100,000 tons of responsibly sourced recycled plastic.
âś… Improve the livelihoods of 50,000 informal waste sector workers and waste pickers by 2026.

By working with global and local partners, we are strengthening plastic recycling supply chains to be fair, just, and inclusive—helping people and protecting the planet.

Head to our link in bio to read more.

#IKEAFoundation #TheCirculateInitiative
🚍 Santiago Is Driving the Future — Electrically.

Just 7 years ago, Santiago had no e-buses. Today, 38% of the fleet is electric, and it's on track for 68% by year-end — one of the most advanced systems worldwide. ⚡

This isn’t just about technology — it’s about cleaner air, better service, and more resilient cities across Latin America. 🌎

With support from @Cmsostenible and the ZEBRA Initiative (co-led by The International Council on Clean Transportation & @c40cities), Chile is setting a blueprint others can follow.

This work is part of the Leapfrogging Partnership under the Drive Electric Campaign, supported by the IKEA Foundation.

#IKEAfoundation #DriveElectric #CleanAir #ClimateAction
🚍 Santiago Is Driving the Future — Electrically. Just 7 years ago, Santiago had no e-buses. Today, 38% of the fleet is electric, and it's on track for 68% by year-end — one of the most advanced systems worldwide. ⚡ This isn’t just about technology — it’s about cleaner air, better service, and more resilient cities across Latin America. 🌎 With support from @Cmsostenible and the ZEBRA Initiative (co-led by The International Council on Clean Transportation & @c40cities), Chile is setting a blueprint others can follow. This work is part of the Leapfrogging Partnership under the Drive Electric Campaign, supported by the IKEA Foundation. #IKEAfoundation #DriveElectric #CleanAir #ClimateAction
3 days ago
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1/4
89% of people got this question wrong — and the correct answer might surprise you. 

But it’s more than just a quiz. Knowing the facts matters. Here’s why 👇 

Climate awareness is high, and that’s a great start. However, to truly tackle one of the greatest challenges humanity faces, climate knowledge needs to catch up, so we can bring more facts into our decision-making.

The transition away from fossil fuels? Slower than it needs to be. But here’s the good news: most of the additional electricity produced today comes from renewable sources. That’s a reason for hope. 💡🌍 

The IKEA Foundation partners with @gapminder_org to spread a fact-based worldview that fuels smarter choices and lasting impact. 

🔗 Take the full quiz and upgrade your worldview – link in bio. 

#IKEAFoundation #Gapminder #RenewableEnergy
89% of people got this question wrong — and the correct answer might surprise you. 

But it’s more than just a quiz. Knowing the facts matters. Here’s why 👇 

Climate awareness is high, and that’s a great start. However, to truly tackle one of the greatest challenges humanity faces, climate knowledge needs to catch up, so we can bring more facts into our decision-making.

The transition away from fossil fuels? Slower than it needs to be. But here’s the good news: most of the additional electricity produced today comes from renewable sources. That’s a reason for hope. 💡🌍 

The IKEA Foundation partners with @gapminder_org to spread a fact-based worldview that fuels smarter choices and lasting impact. 

🔗 Take the full quiz and upgrade your worldview – link in bio. 

#IKEAFoundation #Gapminder #RenewableEnergy
89% of people got this question wrong — and the correct answer might surprise you. But it’s more than just a quiz. Knowing the facts matters. Here’s why 👇 Climate awareness is high, and that’s a great start. However, to truly tackle one of the greatest challenges humanity faces, climate knowledge needs to catch up, so we can bring more facts into our decision-making. The transition away from fossil fuels? Slower than it needs to be. But here’s the good news: most of the additional electricity produced today comes from renewable sources. That’s a reason for hope. 💡🌍 The IKEA Foundation partners with @gapminder_org to spread a fact-based worldview that fuels smarter choices and lasting impact. 🔗 Take the full quiz and upgrade your worldview – link in bio. #IKEAFoundation #Gapminder #RenewableEnergy
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
2/4
The IKEA Foundation supports @goglassociation to strengthen and develop the global industry around Productive Use of Renewable Energy (#PURE). Their #PuttingSolar2Work series highlights the benefits that renewable energy can bring to people like Doreen Njoroge. 

Doreen is a mother of three from rural Kenya. In 2022, she adopted an Agsol solar-powered micro-mill, which has not only reduced costs and saved time but also provided her community with cleaner flour. Her story illustrates the potential of #OffGridSolar technology to foster opportunities and resilience. 🌽 🌍

By #PuttingSolar2Work, smallholder farmers aren't just enhancing their businesses but also becoming agents of climate action and economic growth.

đź”— Visit our link in bio to learn more. 

*Image credit to Agsol/GOGLA.

#IKEAFoundation #GOGLA #RenewableEnergy
The IKEA Foundation supports @goglassociation to strengthen and develop the global industry around Productive Use of Renewable Energy (#PURE). Their #PuttingSolar2Work series highlights the benefits that renewable energy can bring to people like Doreen Njoroge. Doreen is a mother of three from rural Kenya. In 2022, she adopted an Agsol solar-powered micro-mill, which has not only reduced costs and saved time but also provided her community with cleaner flour. Her story illustrates the potential of #OffGridSolar technology to foster opportunities and resilience. 🌽 🌍 By #PuttingSolar2Work, smallholder farmers aren't just enhancing their businesses but also becoming agents of climate action and economic growth. 🔗 Visit our link in bio to learn more. *Image credit to Agsol/GOGLA. #IKEAFoundation #GOGLA #RenewableEnergy
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
3/4
We’re partnering with @thecirculateinitiative to support the Responsible Sourcing Initiative in Kenya and India. This collaboration will help improve the livelihoods of waste workers and increase the responsible sourcing of recycled plastics.

Through training and skills development, the initiative aims to:

âś… Support 500+ waste enterprises.
âś… Generate 100,000 tons of responsibly sourced recycled plastic.
âś… Improve the livelihoods of 50,000 informal waste sector workers and waste pickers by 2026.

By working with global and local partners, we are strengthening plastic recycling supply chains to be fair, just, and inclusive—helping people and protecting the planet.

Head to our link in bio to read more.

#IKEAFoundation #TheCirculateInitiative
We’re partnering with @thecirculateinitiative to support the Responsible Sourcing Initiative in Kenya and India. This collaboration will help improve the livelihoods of waste workers and increase the responsible sourcing of recycled plastics. Through training and skills development, the initiative aims to: ✅ Support 500+ waste enterprises. ✅ Generate 100,000 tons of responsibly sourced recycled plastic. ✅ Improve the livelihoods of 50,000 informal waste sector workers and waste pickers by 2026. By working with global and local partners, we are strengthening plastic recycling supply chains to be fair, just, and inclusive—helping people and protecting the planet. Head to our link in bio to read more. #IKEAFoundation #TheCirculateInitiative
4 months ago
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4/4