IKEA co-workers attend the UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award ceremony

October 1, 2013

Nine IKEA co-workers from across Europe attended a special award ceremony in Geneva last night to honour someone who has helped improve the lives of refugees.

The co-workers were invited to attend the Nansen Refugee Award ceremony by the United Nations’ Refugee Agency (UNHCR), one of the IKEA Foundation’s biggest partners, so they can get an inside look at the partnership and share what they learn with other co-workers.

Commitment to helping refugees

Every year, UNHCR gives the Nansen award to an individual, group or organisation in recognition of outstanding service to the cause of refugees, displaced or stateless people. This year’s recipient is Sister Angélique Namaika, a Congolese nun who has shown exceptional courage and unwavering support for survivors of violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Today the co-workers will have the opportunity to meet the UN’s High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres, and the award winner, as well as touring the United Nations building. Through speaking with UNHCR staff members who work in refugee camps, they will see how the IKEA Foundation is making life better for children and families who live in the camps.

Transforming refugees’ lives

T. Alexander Aleinikoff, Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees at UNHCR, said: “The work that UNHCR undertakes for tens of millions of uprooted people in over 125 countries would not be possible without the support of our partners, and we are proud to have the IKEA Foundation as one of our closest supporters.

“The support of the Foundation not only is transforming the lives of hundreds of thousands of refugees in Ethiopia, Sudan, Bangladesh and other locations, making refugee camps a better and safer home for the many children, and their families, who live their lives in them; this support is also important for the Nansen Refugee Award programme, enabling us to honour those who deserve it.”

The IKEA Foundation supports many projects to make life better for refugee children by:

  •     improving education in refugee camps
  •     reconnecting displaced families
  •     improving emergency shelters.

Partner

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency
https://www.unhcr.org/

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Behind every climate solution are people making it happen. It was a privilege to visit @Cooperpac, based in the south of the city of São Paulo, and meet founder Valquíria Cândido da Silva, and the cooperative members whose work is helping give waste a second life. Thank you for welcoming our IKEA Foundation Ambassadors and sharing your inspiring story. Cooperpac is a powerful reminder that climate action can create opportunities for people while protecting the planet. This visit was made possible through our partner Global Methane Hub and its support for @InstitutoPólis, whose work helps strengthen community-led solutions like Cooperpac across Brazil. Swipe to learn more ➡️
Behind every climate solution are people making it happen. It was a privilege to visit @Cooperpac, based in the south of the city of São Paulo, and meet founder Valquíria Cândido da Silva, and the cooperative members whose work is helping give waste a second life. Thank you for welcoming our IKEA Foundation Ambassadors and sharing your inspiring story. Cooperpac is a powerful reminder that climate action can create opportunities for people while protecting the planet. This visit was made possible through our partner Global Methane Hub and its support for @InstitutoPólis, whose work helps strengthen community-led solutions like Cooperpac across Brazil. Swipe to learn more ➡️
Behind every climate solution are people making it happen. It was a privilege to visit @Cooperpac, based in the south of the city of São Paulo, and meet founder Valquíria Cândido da Silva, and the cooperative members whose work is helping give waste a second life. Thank you for welcoming our IKEA Foundation Ambassadors and sharing your inspiring story. Cooperpac is a powerful reminder that climate action can create opportunities for people while protecting the planet. This visit was made possible through our partner Global Methane Hub and its support for @InstitutoPólis, whose work helps strengthen community-led solutions like Cooperpac across Brazil. Swipe to learn more ➡️
Behind every climate solution are people making it happen. It was a privilege to visit @Cooperpac, based in the south of the city of São Paulo, and meet founder Valquíria Cândido da Silva, and the cooperative members whose work is helping give waste a second life. Thank you for welcoming our IKEA Foundation Ambassadors and sharing your inspiring story. Cooperpac is a powerful reminder that climate action can create opportunities for people while protecting the planet. This visit was made possible through our partner Global Methane Hub and its support for @InstitutoPólis, whose work helps strengthen community-led solutions like Cooperpac across Brazil. Swipe to learn more ➡️
Behind every climate solution are people making it happen. It was a privilege to visit @Cooperpac, based in the south of the city of São Paulo, and meet founder Valquíria Cândido da Silva, and the cooperative members whose work is helping give waste a second life. Thank you for welcoming our IKEA Foundation Ambassadors and sharing your inspiring story. Cooperpac is a powerful reminder that climate action can create opportunities for people while protecting the planet. This visit was made possible through our partner Global Methane Hub and its support for @InstitutoPólis, whose work helps strengthen community-led solutions like Cooperpac across Brazil. Swipe to learn more ➡️
Behind every climate solution are people making it happen. It was a privilege to visit @Cooperpac, based in the south of the city of São Paulo, and meet founder Valquíria Cândido da Silva, and the cooperative members whose work is helping give waste a second life. Thank you for welcoming our IKEA Foundation Ambassadors and sharing your inspiring story. Cooperpac is a powerful reminder that climate action can create opportunities for people while protecting the planet. This visit was made possible through our partner Global Methane Hub and its support for @InstitutoPólis, whose work helps strengthen community-led solutions like Cooperpac across Brazil. Swipe to learn more ➡️
Behind every climate solution are people making it happen. It was a privilege to visit @Cooperpac, based in the south of the city of São Paulo, and meet founder Valquíria Cândido da Silva, and the cooperative members whose work is helping give waste a second life. Thank you for welcoming our IKEA Foundation Ambassadors and sharing your inspiring story. Cooperpac is a powerful reminder that climate action can create opportunities for people while protecting the planet. This visit was made possible through our partner Global Methane Hub and its support for @InstitutoPólis, whose work helps strengthen community-led solutions like Cooperpac across Brazil. Swipe to learn more ➡️
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Behind every climate solution are people making it happen. It was a privilege to visit @Cooperpac, based in the south of the city of São Paulo, and meet founder Valquíria Cândido da Silva, and the cooperative members whose work is helping give waste a second life. Thank you for welcoming our IKEA Foundation Ambassadors and sharing your inspiring story. Cooperpac is a powerful reminder that climate action can create opportunities for people while protecting the planet. This visit was made possible through our partner Global Methane Hub and its support for @InstitutoPólis, whose work helps strengthen community-led solutions like Cooperpac across Brazil. Swipe to learn more ➡️
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📢 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
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📢 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 months ago
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🪰 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.
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🪰 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.
2 months ago
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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
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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
2 months ago
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