How investing in solar pioneers can transform lives

We’re happy to announce our new partnership with Acumen to power communities in India and East and West Africa with renewable energy.

The IKEA Foundation is supporting Acumen’s new Pioneer Energy Investment Initiative (PEII+). This will help people living in poverty improve their livelihoods and increase their income and climate resilience.

PEII+ will invest in companies that supply affordable solar-powered appliances—such as cold rooms, water pumps and electric motorbikes—to communities that currently don’t have access to reliable, modern and sustainable energy.

Investment gap

Most of the world’s communities living in poverty rural and young. Living without reliable access to energy is a major barrier to rising out of poverty. And although investment in renewable energy is increasing, there’s still a lack of financing for pioneering companies that provide solar appliances and solutions

Acumen will invest in around 10 new enterprises in East and West Africa and India that supply solar appliances to improve people’s livelihoods. By providing early-stage capital and tailored technical assistance, Acumen will help these enterprises grow and prove they are viable, scalable, and can attract further investment. At a systemic level, Acumen’s effort is directed to crowd-in investors in the productive use solar segment.

Game-changing solutions

Renewable energy-powered appliances have the potential to more than double incomes by saving time, improving yields and enhancing resilience. They are sometimes called “productive use appliances” because they help people make their livelihoods more productive.

A solar-powered water pump can be game-changing for smallholder farmers who depend on costly diesel generators to irrigate their land. A solar-powered refrigerator can increase income for a small shop owner who can keep fish, poultry, dairy and drinks cool for their customers while avoiding food waste.

And with climate change creating more uncertainty in vulnerable communities, self-sustaining income is more important than ever. The renewable energy solutions that Acumen plans to invest in will help people lift themselves out of poverty and protect the planet by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Early-stage capital

Sarah Bieber, Head of Energy Partnerships at Acumen, says: “Productive use appliance companies have the potential to transform livelihoods but lack access to investment capital to support their growth. Alongside our partners, we will continue to invest high-risk, early-stage capital in this next generation of innovations.”

Biswarup Banerjee, Renewable Energy Programme Manager at the IKEA Foundation, says: “Energy access influences many factors people need to enjoy a decent quality of life. That’s why we’re championing Acumen’s PEII+ programme, that will invest in expanding the market for renewable energy solutions.”

Social

Stay up-to-date and follow us for news and info about exciting grants

  • 📢 We just helped launch The Shift at @ldnclimateweek — a campaign to make climate progress visible.

Too often, the organisations driving climate solutions don’t have the same access to influential media as those with the greatest resources. 

🌍 The Shift is our way of helping change that, supporting our partners to bring their evidence, stories and solutions to new audiences, and shift the climate conversation towards progress already happening.

The campaign features an incredible group of partners working across some of the world’s most pressing climate challenges, including Climate Analytics, Global Methane Hub, InfluenceMap, NewClimate Institute, @fossilfueltreaty, UMI Fund and Youth Climate Justice Fund.

Explore the stories, meet the organisations behind them, and share with your network. Together, we can help more people see the climate solutions already making a difference: 🔗 link in bio! 

#LCAW2026 #TheShift
  • 🪰 What if a tiny insect could help tackle food waste, support farmers, and reduce emissions?

The black soldier fly is doing exactly that.

♻️ Across Kenya, partners like @_icipe are scaling insect-based innovations that transform organic waste into valuable resources such as animal feed and organic fertiliser — supporting healthier ecosystems, stronger livelihoods and more resilient food systems.

🍅 And in Indonesia, @magifarm.id, supported through partners like @viriyaenb, is using the same nature-based approach to rethink food waste management, turning waste into value for businesses and households.

This is what people-centred climate action looks like in practice: solutions that work for people, planet and business.

💬 Had you heard of black soldier flies before? What other unexpected climate solutions have caught your attention? Let us know in the comments.
  • This is cool — literally! 🧊

Denis Karema, CEO of @sokofreshkenya and a strong advocate for expanding access to solar-powered cooling in Kenya, showed us how these solutions make a real difference in farmers’ everyday lives.

By keeping food cold, less goes to waste — a key climate solution as temperatures continue to rise across many regions.

We had the opportunity to document how SokoFresh’s cold rooms are used in Kenya as part of our upcoming IKEA Foundation Week campaign, which will focus on food systems.

This work is supported by the IKEA Foundation and our partner @claspappliances, who are helping bring renewable energy to smallholder farmers in East Africa and India. SokoFresh is also supported by our partners #PREO and @enviu, as part of a strong nexus solution across renewable energy and agriculture work.

A huge thank you to Denis for sharing his inspiring work, and to our fantastic production team in Nairobi for bringing this story to life.

📅 More to come during #IKEAFoundationWeek, Autumn 2026.

#ikeafoundation
  • Across rural India, women are the backbone of agriculture, balancing farming, food processing, and household care. Yet many still lack access to reliable energy and technologies that can help ease labour and strengthen livelihoods.

Through Powering Livelihoods, led by @ceewindia and @villgro_possible with support from the IKEA Foundation, social enterprises are bringing renewable energy technologies to rural communities.

Swipe to see how one partner, @rahejasolarfoodprocessing, is helping women preserve produce for longer, reduce post-harvest loss, and earn more from what they grow.

As of April 2026, through the Powering Livelihoods-supported enterprises:

🌱 ~46,000+ livelihoods positively impacted, with almost 45% being women

☀️ ~29,000+ renewable energy technology deployments

📍 Across 25+ states and union territories in India

Learn more: link in bio

#IKEAFoundation
📢 We just helped launch The Shift at @ldnclimateweek — a campaign to make climate progress visible.

Too often, the organisations driving climate solutions don’t have the same access to influential media as those with the greatest resources. 

🌍 The Shift is our way of helping change that, supporting our partners to bring their evidence, stories and solutions to new audiences, and shift the climate conversation towards progress already happening.

The campaign features an incredible group of partners working across some of the world’s most pressing climate challenges, including Climate Analytics, Global Methane Hub, InfluenceMap, NewClimate Institute, @fossilfueltreaty, UMI Fund and Youth Climate Justice Fund.

Explore the stories, meet the organisations behind them, and share with your network. Together, we can help more people see the climate solutions already making a difference: 🔗 link in bio! 

#LCAW2026 #TheShift
📢 We just helped launch The Shift at @ldnclimateweek — a campaign to make climate progress visible.

Too often, the organisations driving climate solutions don’t have the same access to influential media as those with the greatest resources. 

🌍 The Shift is our way of helping change that, supporting our partners to bring their evidence, stories and solutions to new audiences, and shift the climate conversation towards progress already happening.

The campaign features an incredible group of partners working across some of the world’s most pressing climate challenges, including Climate Analytics, Global Methane Hub, InfluenceMap, NewClimate Institute, @fossilfueltreaty, UMI Fund and Youth Climate Justice Fund.

Explore the stories, meet the organisations behind them, and share with your network. Together, we can help more people see the climate solutions already making a difference: 🔗 link in bio! 

#LCAW2026 #TheShift
📢 We just helped launch The Shift at @ldnclimateweek — a campaign to make climate progress visible.

Too often, the organisations driving climate solutions don’t have the same access to influential media as those with the greatest resources. 

🌍 The Shift is our way of helping change that, supporting our partners to bring their evidence, stories and solutions to new audiences, and shift the climate conversation towards progress already happening.

The campaign features an incredible group of partners working across some of the world’s most pressing climate challenges, including Climate Analytics, Global Methane Hub, InfluenceMap, NewClimate Institute, @fossilfueltreaty, UMI Fund and Youth Climate Justice Fund.

Explore the stories, meet the organisations behind them, and share with your network. Together, we can help more people see the climate solutions already making a difference: 🔗 link in bio! 

#LCAW2026 #TheShift
📢 We just helped launch The Shift at @ldnclimateweek — a campaign to make climate progress visible.

Too often, the organisations driving climate solutions don’t have the same access to influential media as those with the greatest resources. 

🌍 The Shift is our way of helping change that, supporting our partners to bring their evidence, stories and solutions to new audiences, and shift the climate conversation towards progress already happening.

The campaign features an incredible group of partners working across some of the world’s most pressing climate challenges, including Climate Analytics, Global Methane Hub, InfluenceMap, NewClimate Institute, @fossilfueltreaty, UMI Fund and Youth Climate Justice Fund.

Explore the stories, meet the organisations behind them, and share with your network. Together, we can help more people see the climate solutions already making a difference: 🔗 link in bio! 

#LCAW2026 #TheShift
📢 We just helped launch The Shift at @ldnclimateweek — a campaign to make climate progress visible. Too often, the organisations driving climate solutions don’t have the same access to influential media as those with the greatest resources. 🌍 The Shift is our way of helping change that, supporting our partners to bring their evidence, stories and solutions to new audiences, and shift the climate conversation towards progress already happening. The campaign features an incredible group of partners working across some of the world’s most pressing climate challenges, including Climate Analytics, Global Methane Hub, InfluenceMap, NewClimate Institute, @fossilfueltreaty, UMI Fund and Youth Climate Justice Fund. Explore the stories, meet the organisations behind them, and share with your network. Together, we can help more people see the climate solutions already making a difference: 🔗 link in bio! #LCAW2026 #TheShift
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
1/4
🪰 What if a tiny insect could help tackle food waste, support farmers, and reduce emissions?

The black soldier fly is doing exactly that.

♻️ Across Kenya, partners like @_icipe are scaling insect-based innovations that transform organic waste into valuable resources such as animal feed and organic fertiliser — supporting healthier ecosystems, stronger livelihoods and more resilient food systems.

🍅 And in Indonesia, @magifarm.id, supported through partners like @viriyaenb, is using the same nature-based approach to rethink food waste management, turning waste into value for businesses and households.

This is what people-centred climate action looks like in practice: solutions that work for people, planet and business.

💬 Had you heard of black soldier flies before? What other unexpected climate solutions have caught your attention? Let us know in the comments.
🪰 What if a tiny insect could help tackle food waste, support farmers, and reduce emissions?

The black soldier fly is doing exactly that.

♻️ Across Kenya, partners like @_icipe are scaling insect-based innovations that transform organic waste into valuable resources such as animal feed and organic fertiliser — supporting healthier ecosystems, stronger livelihoods and more resilient food systems.

🍅 And in Indonesia, @magifarm.id, supported through partners like @viriyaenb, is using the same nature-based approach to rethink food waste management, turning waste into value for businesses and households.

This is what people-centred climate action looks like in practice: solutions that work for people, planet and business.

💬 Had you heard of black soldier flies before? What other unexpected climate solutions have caught your attention? Let us know in the comments.
🪰 What if a tiny insect could help tackle food waste, support farmers, and reduce emissions?

The black soldier fly is doing exactly that.

♻️ Across Kenya, partners like @_icipe are scaling insect-based innovations that transform organic waste into valuable resources such as animal feed and organic fertiliser — supporting healthier ecosystems, stronger livelihoods and more resilient food systems.

🍅 And in Indonesia, @magifarm.id, supported through partners like @viriyaenb, is using the same nature-based approach to rethink food waste management, turning waste into value for businesses and households.

This is what people-centred climate action looks like in practice: solutions that work for people, planet and business.

💬 Had you heard of black soldier flies before? What other unexpected climate solutions have caught your attention? Let us know in the comments.
🪰 What if a tiny insect could help tackle food waste, support farmers, and reduce emissions?

The black soldier fly is doing exactly that.

♻️ Across Kenya, partners like @_icipe are scaling insect-based innovations that transform organic waste into valuable resources such as animal feed and organic fertiliser — supporting healthier ecosystems, stronger livelihoods and more resilient food systems.

🍅 And in Indonesia, @magifarm.id, supported through partners like @viriyaenb, is using the same nature-based approach to rethink food waste management, turning waste into value for businesses and households.

This is what people-centred climate action looks like in practice: solutions that work for people, planet and business.

💬 Had you heard of black soldier flies before? What other unexpected climate solutions have caught your attention? Let us know in the comments.
🪰 What if a tiny insect could help tackle food waste, support farmers, and reduce emissions?

The black soldier fly is doing exactly that.

♻️ Across Kenya, partners like @_icipe are scaling insect-based innovations that transform organic waste into valuable resources such as animal feed and organic fertiliser — supporting healthier ecosystems, stronger livelihoods and more resilient food systems.

🍅 And in Indonesia, @magifarm.id, supported through partners like @viriyaenb, is using the same nature-based approach to rethink food waste management, turning waste into value for businesses and households.

This is what people-centred climate action looks like in practice: solutions that work for people, planet and business.

💬 Had you heard of black soldier flies before? What other unexpected climate solutions have caught your attention? Let us know in the comments.
🪰 What if a tiny insect could help tackle food waste, support farmers, and reduce emissions? The black soldier fly is doing exactly that. ♻️ Across Kenya, partners like @_icipe are scaling insect-based innovations that transform organic waste into valuable resources such as animal feed and organic fertiliser — supporting healthier ecosystems, stronger livelihoods and more resilient food systems. 🍅 And in Indonesia, @magifarm.id, supported through partners like @viriyaenb, is using the same nature-based approach to rethink food waste management, turning waste into value for businesses and households. This is what people-centred climate action looks like in practice: solutions that work for people, planet and business. 💬 Had you heard of black soldier flies before? What other unexpected climate solutions have caught your attention? Let us know in the comments.
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
2/4
This is cool — literally! 🧊

Denis Karema, CEO of @sokofreshkenya and a strong advocate for expanding access to solar-powered cooling in Kenya, showed us how these solutions make a real difference in farmers’ everyday lives.

By keeping food cold, less goes to waste — a key climate solution as temperatures continue to rise across many regions.

We had the opportunity to document how SokoFresh’s cold rooms are used in Kenya as part of our upcoming IKEA Foundation Week campaign, which will focus on food systems.

This work is supported by the IKEA Foundation and our partner @claspappliances, who are helping bring renewable energy to smallholder farmers in East Africa and India. SokoFresh is also supported by our partners #PREO and @enviu, as part of a strong nexus solution across renewable energy and agriculture work.

A huge thank you to Denis for sharing his inspiring work, and to our fantastic production team in Nairobi for bringing this story to life.

📅 More to come during #IKEAFoundationWeek, Autumn 2026.

#ikeafoundation
This is cool — literally! 🧊

Denis Karema, CEO of @sokofreshkenya and a strong advocate for expanding access to solar-powered cooling in Kenya, showed us how these solutions make a real difference in farmers’ everyday lives.

By keeping food cold, less goes to waste — a key climate solution as temperatures continue to rise across many regions.

We had the opportunity to document how SokoFresh’s cold rooms are used in Kenya as part of our upcoming IKEA Foundation Week campaign, which will focus on food systems.

This work is supported by the IKEA Foundation and our partner @claspappliances, who are helping bring renewable energy to smallholder farmers in East Africa and India. SokoFresh is also supported by our partners #PREO and @enviu, as part of a strong nexus solution across renewable energy and agriculture work.

A huge thank you to Denis for sharing his inspiring work, and to our fantastic production team in Nairobi for bringing this story to life.

📅 More to come during #IKEAFoundationWeek, Autumn 2026.

#ikeafoundation
This is cool — literally! 🧊

Denis Karema, CEO of @sokofreshkenya and a strong advocate for expanding access to solar-powered cooling in Kenya, showed us how these solutions make a real difference in farmers’ everyday lives.

By keeping food cold, less goes to waste — a key climate solution as temperatures continue to rise across many regions.

We had the opportunity to document how SokoFresh’s cold rooms are used in Kenya as part of our upcoming IKEA Foundation Week campaign, which will focus on food systems.

This work is supported by the IKEA Foundation and our partner @claspappliances, who are helping bring renewable energy to smallholder farmers in East Africa and India. SokoFresh is also supported by our partners #PREO and @enviu, as part of a strong nexus solution across renewable energy and agriculture work.

A huge thank you to Denis for sharing his inspiring work, and to our fantastic production team in Nairobi for bringing this story to life.

📅 More to come during #IKEAFoundationWeek, Autumn 2026.

#ikeafoundation
This is cool — literally! 🧊

Denis Karema, CEO of @sokofreshkenya and a strong advocate for expanding access to solar-powered cooling in Kenya, showed us how these solutions make a real difference in farmers’ everyday lives.

By keeping food cold, less goes to waste — a key climate solution as temperatures continue to rise across many regions.

We had the opportunity to document how SokoFresh’s cold rooms are used in Kenya as part of our upcoming IKEA Foundation Week campaign, which will focus on food systems.

This work is supported by the IKEA Foundation and our partner @claspappliances, who are helping bring renewable energy to smallholder farmers in East Africa and India. SokoFresh is also supported by our partners #PREO and @enviu, as part of a strong nexus solution across renewable energy and agriculture work.

A huge thank you to Denis for sharing his inspiring work, and to our fantastic production team in Nairobi for bringing this story to life.

📅 More to come during #IKEAFoundationWeek, Autumn 2026.

#ikeafoundation
This is cool — literally! 🧊 Denis Karema, CEO of @sokofreshkenya and a strong advocate for expanding access to solar-powered cooling in Kenya, showed us how these solutions make a real difference in farmers’ everyday lives. By keeping food cold, less goes to waste — a key climate solution as temperatures continue to rise across many regions. We had the opportunity to document how SokoFresh’s cold rooms are used in Kenya as part of our upcoming IKEA Foundation Week campaign, which will focus on food systems. This work is supported by the IKEA Foundation and our partner @claspappliances, who are helping bring renewable energy to smallholder farmers in East Africa and India. SokoFresh is also supported by our partners #PREO and @enviu, as part of a strong nexus solution across renewable energy and agriculture work. A huge thank you to Denis for sharing his inspiring work, and to our fantastic production team in Nairobi for bringing this story to life. 📅 More to come during #IKEAFoundationWeek, Autumn 2026. #ikeafoundation
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
3/4
Across rural India, women are the backbone of agriculture, balancing farming, food processing, and household care. Yet many still lack access to reliable energy and technologies that can help ease labour and strengthen livelihoods.

Through Powering Livelihoods, led by @ceewindia and @villgro_possible with support from the IKEA Foundation, social enterprises are bringing renewable energy technologies to rural communities.

Swipe to see how one partner, @rahejasolarfoodprocessing, is helping women preserve produce for longer, reduce post-harvest loss, and earn more from what they grow.

As of April 2026, through the Powering Livelihoods-supported enterprises:

🌱 ~46,000+ livelihoods positively impacted, with almost 45% being women

☀️ ~29,000+ renewable energy technology deployments

📍 Across 25+ states and union territories in India

Learn more: link in bio

#IKEAFoundation
Across rural India, women are the backbone of agriculture, balancing farming, food processing, and household care. Yet many still lack access to reliable energy and technologies that can help ease labour and strengthen livelihoods.

Through Powering Livelihoods, led by @ceewindia and @villgro_possible with support from the IKEA Foundation, social enterprises are bringing renewable energy technologies to rural communities.

Swipe to see how one partner, @rahejasolarfoodprocessing, is helping women preserve produce for longer, reduce post-harvest loss, and earn more from what they grow.

As of April 2026, through the Powering Livelihoods-supported enterprises:

🌱 ~46,000+ livelihoods positively impacted, with almost 45% being women

☀️ ~29,000+ renewable energy technology deployments

📍 Across 25+ states and union territories in India

Learn more: link in bio

#IKEAFoundation
Across rural India, women are the backbone of agriculture, balancing farming, food processing, and household care. Yet many still lack access to reliable energy and technologies that can help ease labour and strengthen livelihoods.

Through Powering Livelihoods, led by @ceewindia and @villgro_possible with support from the IKEA Foundation, social enterprises are bringing renewable energy technologies to rural communities.

Swipe to see how one partner, @rahejasolarfoodprocessing, is helping women preserve produce for longer, reduce post-harvest loss, and earn more from what they grow.

As of April 2026, through the Powering Livelihoods-supported enterprises:

🌱 ~46,000+ livelihoods positively impacted, with almost 45% being women

☀️ ~29,000+ renewable energy technology deployments

📍 Across 25+ states and union territories in India

Learn more: link in bio

#IKEAFoundation
Across rural India, women are the backbone of agriculture, balancing farming, food processing, and household care. Yet many still lack access to reliable energy and technologies that can help ease labour and strengthen livelihoods.

Through Powering Livelihoods, led by @ceewindia and @villgro_possible with support from the IKEA Foundation, social enterprises are bringing renewable energy technologies to rural communities.

Swipe to see how one partner, @rahejasolarfoodprocessing, is helping women preserve produce for longer, reduce post-harvest loss, and earn more from what they grow.

As of April 2026, through the Powering Livelihoods-supported enterprises:

🌱 ~46,000+ livelihoods positively impacted, with almost 45% being women

☀️ ~29,000+ renewable energy technology deployments

📍 Across 25+ states and union territories in India

Learn more: link in bio

#IKEAFoundation
Across rural India, women are the backbone of agriculture, balancing farming, food processing, and household care. Yet many still lack access to reliable energy and technologies that can help ease labour and strengthen livelihoods.

Through Powering Livelihoods, led by @ceewindia and @villgro_possible with support from the IKEA Foundation, social enterprises are bringing renewable energy technologies to rural communities.

Swipe to see how one partner, @rahejasolarfoodprocessing, is helping women preserve produce for longer, reduce post-harvest loss, and earn more from what they grow.

As of April 2026, through the Powering Livelihoods-supported enterprises:

🌱 ~46,000+ livelihoods positively impacted, with almost 45% being women

☀️ ~29,000+ renewable energy technology deployments

📍 Across 25+ states and union territories in India

Learn more: link in bio

#IKEAFoundation
Across rural India, women are the backbone of agriculture, balancing farming, food processing, and household care. Yet many still lack access to reliable energy and technologies that can help ease labour and strengthen livelihoods.

Through Powering Livelihoods, led by @ceewindia and @villgro_possible with support from the IKEA Foundation, social enterprises are bringing renewable energy technologies to rural communities.

Swipe to see how one partner, @rahejasolarfoodprocessing, is helping women preserve produce for longer, reduce post-harvest loss, and earn more from what they grow.

As of April 2026, through the Powering Livelihoods-supported enterprises:

🌱 ~46,000+ livelihoods positively impacted, with almost 45% being women

☀️ ~29,000+ renewable energy technology deployments

📍 Across 25+ states and union territories in India

Learn more: link in bio

#IKEAFoundation
Across rural India, women are the backbone of agriculture, balancing farming, food processing, and household care. Yet many still lack access to reliable energy and technologies that can help ease labour and strengthen livelihoods.

Through Powering Livelihoods, led by @ceewindia and @villgro_possible with support from the IKEA Foundation, social enterprises are bringing renewable energy technologies to rural communities.

Swipe to see how one partner, @rahejasolarfoodprocessing, is helping women preserve produce for longer, reduce post-harvest loss, and earn more from what they grow.

As of April 2026, through the Powering Livelihoods-supported enterprises:

🌱 ~46,000+ livelihoods positively impacted, with almost 45% being women

☀️ ~29,000+ renewable energy technology deployments

📍 Across 25+ states and union territories in India

Learn more: link in bio

#IKEAFoundation
Across rural India, women are the backbone of agriculture, balancing farming, food processing, and household care. Yet many still lack access to reliable energy and technologies that can help ease labour and strengthen livelihoods. Through Powering Livelihoods, led by @ceewindia and @villgro_possible with support from the IKEA Foundation, social enterprises are bringing renewable energy technologies to rural communities. Swipe to see how one partner, @rahejasolarfoodprocessing, is helping women preserve produce for longer, reduce post-harvest loss, and earn more from what they grow. As of April 2026, through the Powering Livelihoods-supported enterprises: 🌱 ~46,000+ livelihoods positively impacted, with almost 45% being women ☀️ ~29,000+ renewable energy technology deployments 📍 Across 25+ states and union territories in India Learn more: link in bio #IKEAFoundation
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
4/4