How SunFunder and IKEA Foundation are energising families in rural communities

March 24, 2019

The IKEA Foundation is happy to award a grant to SunFunder to help 6 million people across east and west Africa and India get to access renewable energy.

SunFunder provides loans for solar energy companies that serve people and businesses in rural areas. By offering loans to emerging solar energy companies that struggle to raise the investment they need, SunFunder will reach people living in off-grid and weak-grid communities.

Since 2012, SunFunder has provided loans to innovative solar companies that distribute last-mile solar products and services. Five million people now have better access to renewable energy thanks to SunFunder’s financing—and our grant will help them reach another 6 million people.

Power to support a family

Fatuma lives in Kamuli, a rural town in eastern Uganda. Her husband purchased a 50W solar system from SolarNow, one of the many innovative solar companies supported by SunFunder. This helped Fatuma and her husband light their home at night, instead of using kerosene lamps.

However, soon after purchasing the solar system, Fatuma’s husband fell ill and could no longer support the family. The responsibility to earn a living fell on Fatuma. She decided to upgrade their 50W household system to a 150W small business solution, so she could start her own business. Through this, she earned 10,000-15,000 Ugandan shillings a day (around $3-5), enabling her to support her family for seven months while her husband was recovering. She also saved a little money for the future.

Fatuma says: “I bought a SolarNow system so that I can financially sustain my family. I charge 20-30 phones a day, run a small barbershop, operate a small cinema hall, and offer computer lessons all on the same system. I can generate income from my SolarNow system to maintain my family and pay school fees for my children. I am very proud of my solar system and my clients are very happy.”

Better opportunities

The solar systems installed by companies like Solar Now have significant impact. Children have light to do their homework by at night and households are no longer reliant on toxic and dangerous kerosene, improving health, safety and air quality. These companies also promote gender equality in their hiring processes and in the local communities where they operate, providing women with employment opportunities and enhancing their economic empowerment.

SolarNow has been a customer of SunFunder since 2014. It is a for-profit social business which sells and installs modular solar systems and appliances for households and businesses in east Africa. It provides last-mile distribution, financing and after-sales servicing to its clients.

Jolanda van Ginkel, Programme Manager for Renewable Energy at the IKEA Foundation, adds: ‘We are happy to support our partner SunFunder with a grant because we believe that helping women like Fatuma access renewable energy will enable them to afford a better everyday life for their families, while also protecting the planet.’

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SunFunder
https://www.sunfunder.com/

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  • We can change the future of #PeopleAndPlanet for good when we work #Together ✨🌍 Our founder Ingvar Kamprad believed in a future where communities and the planet thrive together. At the IKEA Foundation, we are committed to tackling the two biggest challenges the world is facing today - poverty and climate change - by improving the everyday lives of the many people. We want to thank all of our partners who have done amazing work around the world to create impact for people and planet. 🌱🤝 Curious how that looks like? Keep an eye on our socials for our 2024 highlights!
  • “Let us not forget that every gesture counts. A good intention followed by an action can change the world.” Maimouna Ba is the regional @refugees Nansen Award winner and founded the organisation “Femmes pour la dignité du Sahel (FDS)” to support displaced women and children in the Sahel area. Since the outbreak of conflict in 2016, she has been working to combat gender-based violence, rebuild peace and promote female leadership. Her incredible work has impacted the lives of more than 500 women and children in the Sahel region 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 The IKEA Foundation is proud to support the UNHCR #NansenAward because we believe that unsung heroes who go above and beyond to protect, support and advance the living conditions of forcibly displaced people need to be heard and supported. Protecting and advancing #HumanRights happens on all levels. Discover more inspiring stories from the Nansen Award winners via the link in our bio! #RefugeeSolutionsTransformation #PeopleAndPlanet #HumanRightsDay2024 #OurRightsOurFuture #HumanRightsDay
  • In 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣4️⃣, we… 🌟 Welcomed over 170 new IKEA Foundation ambassadors to our group of more than 400 🌟 Organised 7 ambassador hubs worldwide 🌟 Had 40 partners participate in our hubs The ambassador programme gives IKEA co-workers from around the world the opportunity to learn about the work the IKEA Foundation and its partners are doing to tackle poverty and #ClimateChange. As we reach the end of 2024, we would like to thank all the ambassadors who shared the impactful work of our partners with their community 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 We’re optimistic that – together – we can still change the future of our planet for good and create a better everyday life for the many people 💚 #PeopleAndPlanet #IKEAFoundationAmbassador
  • @climatebreakthrough has just announced the 2024 cohort of their prestigious #ClimateBreakthroughAward programme 🙌 This unique programme provides brilliant social change leaders with significant support over the next few years to develop, launch, and scale their boldest new initiative with breakthrough potential to address climate change. As a funding partner of Climate Breakthrough, we are proud to be a staunch supporter of this initiative that provides a rare opportunity to scale up grassroots climate action, including a $4 million funding package. This enables amazing people from anywhere in the world to create their most ambitious, breakthrough-oriented work in dealing with one of the most consequential crises of our lifetime 🌍 Learn more about how the programme supports social change leaders to develop their #ClimateAction initiatives via the link in our bio 🔗 #PeopleAndPlanet #ClimateChange
We can change the future of #PeopleAndPlanet for good when we work #Together ✨🌍 Our founder Ingvar Kamprad believed in a future where communities and the planet thrive together. At the IKEA Foundation, we are committed to tackling the two biggest challenges the world is facing today - poverty and climate change - by improving the everyday lives of the many people. We want to thank all of our partners who have done amazing work around the world to create impact for people and planet. 🌱🤝 Curious how that looks like? Keep an eye on our socials for our 2024 highlights!
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We can change the future of #PeopleAndPlanet for good when we work #Together ✨🌍 Our founder Ingvar Kamprad believed in a future where communities and the planet thrive together. At the IKEA Foundation, we are committed to tackling the two biggest challenges the world is facing today - poverty and climate change - by improving the everyday lives of the many people. We want to thank all of our partners who have done amazing work around the world to create impact for people and planet. 🌱🤝 Curious how that looks like? Keep an eye on our socials for our 2024 highlights!
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“Let us not forget that every gesture counts. A good intention followed by an action can change the world.” Maimouna Ba is the regional @refugees Nansen Award winner and founded the organisation “Femmes pour la dignité du Sahel (FDS)” to support displaced women and children in the Sahel area. Since the outbreak of conflict in 2016, she has been working to combat gender-based violence, rebuild peace and promote female leadership. Her incredible work has impacted the lives of more than 500 women and children in the Sahel region 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 The IKEA Foundation is proud to support the UNHCR #NansenAward because we believe that unsung heroes who go above and beyond to protect, support and advance the living conditions of forcibly displaced people need to be heard and supported. Protecting and advancing #HumanRights happens on all levels. Discover more inspiring stories from the Nansen Award winners via the link in our bio! #RefugeeSolutionsTransformation #PeopleAndPlanet #HumanRightsDay2024 #OurRightsOurFuture #HumanRightsDay
“Let us not forget that every gesture counts. A good intention followed by an action can change the world.” Maimouna Ba is the regional @refugees Nansen Award winner and founded the organisation “Femmes pour la dignité du Sahel (FDS)” to support displaced women and children in the Sahel area. Since the outbreak of conflict in 2016, she has been working to combat gender-based violence, rebuild peace and promote female leadership. Her incredible work has impacted the lives of more than 500 women and children in the Sahel region 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 The IKEA Foundation is proud to support the UNHCR #NansenAward because we believe that unsung heroes who go above and beyond to protect, support and advance the living conditions of forcibly displaced people need to be heard and supported. Protecting and advancing #HumanRights happens on all levels. Discover more inspiring stories from the Nansen Award winners via the link in our bio! #RefugeeSolutionsTransformation #PeopleAndPlanet #HumanRightsDay2024 #OurRightsOurFuture #HumanRightsDay
“Let us not forget that every gesture counts. A good intention followed by an action can change the world.” Maimouna Ba is the regional @refugees Nansen Award winner and founded the organisation “Femmes pour la dignité du Sahel (FDS)” to support displaced women and children in the Sahel area. Since the outbreak of conflict in 2016, she has been working to combat gender-based violence, rebuild peace and promote female leadership. Her incredible work has impacted the lives of more than 500 women and children in the Sahel region 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 The IKEA Foundation is proud to support the UNHCR #NansenAward because we believe that unsung heroes who go above and beyond to protect, support and advance the living conditions of forcibly displaced people need to be heard and supported. Protecting and advancing #HumanRights happens on all levels. Discover more inspiring stories from the Nansen Award winners via the link in our bio! #RefugeeSolutionsTransformation #PeopleAndPlanet #HumanRightsDay2024 #OurRightsOurFuture #HumanRightsDay
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“Let us not forget that every gesture counts. A good intention followed by an action can change the world.” Maimouna Ba is the regional @refugees Nansen Award winner and founded the organisation “Femmes pour la dignité du Sahel (FDS)” to support displaced women and children in the Sahel area. Since the outbreak of conflict in 2016, she has been working to combat gender-based violence, rebuild peace and promote female leadership. Her incredible work has impacted the lives of more than 500 women and children in the Sahel region 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 The IKEA Foundation is proud to support the UNHCR #NansenAward because we believe that unsung heroes who go above and beyond to protect, support and advance the living conditions of forcibly displaced people need to be heard and supported. Protecting and advancing #HumanRights happens on all levels. Discover more inspiring stories from the Nansen Award winners via the link in our bio! #RefugeeSolutionsTransformation #PeopleAndPlanet #HumanRightsDay2024 #OurRightsOurFuture #HumanRightsDay
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In 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣4️⃣, we… 🌟 Welcomed over 170 new IKEA Foundation ambassadors to our group of more than 400 🌟 Organised 7 ambassador hubs worldwide 🌟 Had 40 partners participate in our hubs The ambassador programme gives IKEA co-workers from around the world the opportunity to learn about the work the IKEA Foundation and its partners are doing to tackle poverty and #ClimateChange. As we reach the end of 2024, we would like to thank all the ambassadors who shared the impactful work of our partners with their community 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 We’re optimistic that – together – we can still change the future of our planet for good and create a better everyday life for the many people 💚 #PeopleAndPlanet #IKEAFoundationAmbassador
In 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣4️⃣, we… 🌟 Welcomed over 170 new IKEA Foundation ambassadors to our group of more than 400 🌟 Organised 7 ambassador hubs worldwide 🌟 Had 40 partners participate in our hubs The ambassador programme gives IKEA co-workers from around the world the opportunity to learn about the work the IKEA Foundation and its partners are doing to tackle poverty and #ClimateChange. As we reach the end of 2024, we would like to thank all the ambassadors who shared the impactful work of our partners with their community 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 We’re optimistic that – together – we can still change the future of our planet for good and create a better everyday life for the many people 💚 #PeopleAndPlanet #IKEAFoundationAmbassador
In 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣4️⃣, we… 🌟 Welcomed over 170 new IKEA Foundation ambassadors to our group of more than 400 🌟 Organised 7 ambassador hubs worldwide 🌟 Had 40 partners participate in our hubs The ambassador programme gives IKEA co-workers from around the world the opportunity to learn about the work the IKEA Foundation and its partners are doing to tackle poverty and #ClimateChange. As we reach the end of 2024, we would like to thank all the ambassadors who shared the impactful work of our partners with their community 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 We’re optimistic that – together – we can still change the future of our planet for good and create a better everyday life for the many people 💚 #PeopleAndPlanet #IKEAFoundationAmbassador
In 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣4️⃣, we… 🌟 Welcomed over 170 new IKEA Foundation ambassadors to our group of more than 400 🌟 Organised 7 ambassador hubs worldwide 🌟 Had 40 partners participate in our hubs The ambassador programme gives IKEA co-workers from around the world the opportunity to learn about the work the IKEA Foundation and its partners are doing to tackle poverty and #ClimateChange. As we reach the end of 2024, we would like to thank all the ambassadors who shared the impactful work of our partners with their community 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 We’re optimistic that – together – we can still change the future of our planet for good and create a better everyday life for the many people 💚 #PeopleAndPlanet #IKEAFoundationAmbassador
In 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣4️⃣, we… 🌟 Welcomed over 170 new IKEA Foundation ambassadors to our group of more than 400 🌟 Organised 7 ambassador hubs worldwide 🌟 Had 40 partners participate in our hubs The ambassador programme gives IKEA co-workers from around the world the opportunity to learn about the work the IKEA Foundation and its partners are doing to tackle poverty and #ClimateChange. As we reach the end of 2024, we would like to thank all the ambassadors who shared the impactful work of our partners with their community 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 We’re optimistic that – together – we can still change the future of our planet for good and create a better everyday life for the many people 💚 #PeopleAndPlanet #IKEAFoundationAmbassador
In 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣4️⃣, we… 🌟 Welcomed over 170 new IKEA Foundation ambassadors to our group of more than 400 🌟 Organised 7 ambassador hubs worldwide 🌟 Had 40 partners participate in our hubs The ambassador programme gives IKEA co-workers from around the world the opportunity to learn about the work the IKEA Foundation and its partners are doing to tackle poverty and #ClimateChange. As we reach the end of 2024, we would like to thank all the ambassadors who shared the impactful work of our partners with their community 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 We’re optimistic that – together – we can still change the future of our planet for good and create a better everyday life for the many people 💚 #PeopleAndPlanet #IKEAFoundationAmbassador
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In 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣4️⃣, we… 🌟 Welcomed over 170 new IKEA Foundation ambassadors to our group of more than 400 🌟 Organised 7 ambassador hubs worldwide 🌟 Had 40 partners participate in our hubs The ambassador programme gives IKEA co-workers from around the world the opportunity to learn about the work the IKEA Foundation and its partners are doing to tackle poverty and #ClimateChange. As we reach the end of 2024, we would like to thank all the ambassadors who shared the impactful work of our partners with their community 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 We’re optimistic that – together – we can still change the future of our planet for good and create a better everyday life for the many people 💚 #PeopleAndPlanet #IKEAFoundationAmbassador
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@climatebreakthrough has just announced the 2024 cohort of their prestigious #ClimateBreakthroughAward programme 🙌 This unique programme provides brilliant social change leaders with significant support over the next few years to develop, launch, and scale their boldest new initiative with breakthrough potential to address climate change. As a funding partner of Climate Breakthrough, we are proud to be a staunch supporter of this initiative that provides a rare opportunity to scale up grassroots climate action, including a $4 million funding package. This enables amazing people from anywhere in the world to create their most ambitious, breakthrough-oriented work in dealing with one of the most consequential crises of our lifetime 🌍 Learn more about how the programme supports social change leaders to develop their #ClimateAction initiatives via the link in our bio 🔗 #PeopleAndPlanet #ClimateChange
@climatebreakthrough has just announced the 2024 cohort of their prestigious #ClimateBreakthroughAward programme 🙌 This unique programme provides brilliant social change leaders with significant support over the next few years to develop, launch, and scale their boldest new initiative with breakthrough potential to address climate change. As a funding partner of Climate Breakthrough, we are proud to be a staunch supporter of this initiative that provides a rare opportunity to scale up grassroots climate action, including a $4 million funding package. This enables amazing people from anywhere in the world to create their most ambitious, breakthrough-oriented work in dealing with one of the most consequential crises of our lifetime 🌍 Learn more about how the programme supports social change leaders to develop their #ClimateAction initiatives via the link in our bio 🔗 #PeopleAndPlanet #ClimateChange
@climatebreakthrough has just announced the 2024 cohort of their prestigious #ClimateBreakthroughAward programme 🙌 This unique programme provides brilliant social change leaders with significant support over the next few years to develop, launch, and scale their boldest new initiative with breakthrough potential to address climate change. As a funding partner of Climate Breakthrough, we are proud to be a staunch supporter of this initiative that provides a rare opportunity to scale up grassroots climate action, including a $4 million funding package. This enables amazing people from anywhere in the world to create their most ambitious, breakthrough-oriented work in dealing with one of the most consequential crises of our lifetime 🌍 Learn more about how the programme supports social change leaders to develop their #ClimateAction initiatives via the link in our bio 🔗 #PeopleAndPlanet #ClimateChange
@climatebreakthrough has just announced the 2024 cohort of their prestigious #ClimateBreakthroughAward programme 🙌 This unique programme provides brilliant social change leaders with significant support over the next few years to develop, launch, and scale their boldest new initiative with breakthrough potential to address climate change. As a funding partner of Climate Breakthrough, we are proud to be a staunch supporter of this initiative that provides a rare opportunity to scale up grassroots climate action, including a $4 million funding package. This enables amazing people from anywhere in the world to create their most ambitious, breakthrough-oriented work in dealing with one of the most consequential crises of our lifetime 🌍 Learn more about how the programme supports social change leaders to develop their #ClimateAction initiatives via the link in our bio 🔗 #PeopleAndPlanet #ClimateChange
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@climatebreakthrough has just announced the 2024 cohort of their prestigious #ClimateBreakthroughAward programme 🙌 This unique programme provides brilliant social change leaders with significant support over the next few years to develop, launch, and scale their boldest new initiative with breakthrough potential to address climate change. As a funding partner of Climate Breakthrough, we are proud to be a staunch supporter of this initiative that provides a rare opportunity to scale up grassroots climate action, including a $4 million funding package. This enables amazing people from anywhere in the world to create their most ambitious, breakthrough-oriented work in dealing with one of the most consequential crises of our lifetime 🌍 Learn more about how the programme supports social change leaders to develop their #ClimateAction initiatives via the link in our bio 🔗 #PeopleAndPlanet #ClimateChange
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