New global design challenge will make life better for refugees

February 19, 2016

The IKEA Foundation is challenging designers and creative thinkers from around the world to come up with new design solutions which will help refugees in urban areas.

The What Design Can Do Refugee Challenge, launched today, calls for innovative solutions to support refugees arriving in urban areas, and to help them integrate.

The IKEA Foundation is teaming up with What Design Can Do, an Amsterdam-based design platform, and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to run the challenge. The five winning ideas, to be announced on 1 July, will receive funding up to €10,000 and expert support to develop their ideas into feasible plans and working prototypes.

How design can help

 According to UNHCR, more than 60% of the world’s 19 million refugees live in urban areas, a figure set to rise. The challenges society faces in accommodating and integrating refugees are complex, which is where designers and creative thinkers can help by using their skills to come up with new solutions.

“IKEA Foundation supports refugees and the poorest communities all over the world, but given the size of the problem, much more is needed,” says Jonathan Spampinato, Head of Strategic Planning and Communications at IKEA Foundation. “We are in a unique position to facilitate innovation by bringing together unlikely partners and advancing solutions to pressing societal issues.”

The international jury will include Marcus Engman, Head of Design at IKEA, along with other renowned design professionals

Marcus says: “Design is a great tool to make things better. Let’s put it into use for something more than just doing things. Let’s put it in the hands of the great talents of today and then give them the toughest challenge of them all – solving the needs of the many who have almost nothing. That is what Democratic Design is all about to me – making form, function, quality, sustainability accessible for the many, not just for the few.”

To find out more about the challenge, including how take part, visit whatdesigncando.com/challenge

Partner

What Design Can Do
http://www.whatdesigncando.com/
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Partner

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency
https://www.unhcr.org/
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🌍 Africa’s youth are driving powerful climate solutions — and #WinnieWambui is one of them. At #HarcourtAgriEcoFarm, she’s turning organic waste into high-value products using black soldier flies, creating cleaner communities and new opportunities for young people. ♻️🪰 With support from our partner, @icipe — a leader in insect-based solutions across #Africa — Winnie gained specialised training that strengthened her path into circular innovation and climate-smart waste management. She’s helping inspire more youth to turn waste into opportunity. Swipe to learn more ➡️ #IKEAfoundation #YouthInClimate #ClimateSolutions
🌍 Africa’s youth are driving powerful climate solutions — and #WinnieWambui is one of them. At #HarcourtAgriEcoFarm, she’s turning organic waste into high-value products using black soldier flies, creating cleaner communities and new opportunities for young people. ♻️🪰 With support from our partner, @icipe — a leader in insect-based solutions across #Africa — Winnie gained specialised training that strengthened her path into circular innovation and climate-smart waste management. She’s helping inspire more youth to turn waste into opportunity. Swipe to learn more ➡️ #IKEAfoundation #YouthInClimate #ClimateSolutions
🌍 Africa’s youth are driving powerful climate solutions — and #WinnieWambui is one of them. At #HarcourtAgriEcoFarm, she’s turning organic waste into high-value products using black soldier flies, creating cleaner communities and new opportunities for young people. ♻️🪰 With support from our partner, @icipe — a leader in insect-based solutions across #Africa — Winnie gained specialised training that strengthened her path into circular innovation and climate-smart waste management. She’s helping inspire more youth to turn waste into opportunity. Swipe to learn more ➡️ #IKEAfoundation #YouthInClimate #ClimateSolutions
🌍 Africa’s youth are driving powerful climate solutions — and #WinnieWambui is one of them. At #HarcourtAgriEcoFarm, she’s turning organic waste into high-value products using black soldier flies, creating cleaner communities and new opportunities for young people. ♻️🪰 With support from our partner, @icipe — a leader in insect-based solutions across #Africa — Winnie gained specialised training that strengthened her path into circular innovation and climate-smart waste management. She’s helping inspire more youth to turn waste into opportunity. Swipe to learn more ➡️ #IKEAfoundation #YouthInClimate #ClimateSolutions
🌍 Africa’s youth are driving powerful climate solutions — and #WinnieWambui is one of them. At #HarcourtAgriEcoFarm, she’s turning organic waste into high-value products using black soldier flies, creating cleaner communities and new opportunities for young people. ♻️🪰 With support from our partner, @icipe — a leader in insect-based solutions across #Africa — Winnie gained specialised training that strengthened her path into circular innovation and climate-smart waste management. She’s helping inspire more youth to turn waste into opportunity. Swipe to learn more ➡️ #IKEAfoundation #YouthInClimate #ClimateSolutions
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🌍 Africa’s youth are driving powerful climate solutions — and #WinnieWambui is one of them. At #HarcourtAgriEcoFarm, she’s turning organic waste into high-value products using black soldier flies, creating cleaner communities and new opportunities for young people. ♻️🪰 With support from our partner, @icipe — a leader in insect-based solutions across #Africa — Winnie gained specialised training that strengthened her path into circular innovation and climate-smart waste management. She’s helping inspire more youth to turn waste into opportunity. Swipe to learn more ➡️ #IKEAfoundation #YouthInClimate #ClimateSolutions
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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
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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
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Can you imagine delivering a baby in total darkness?🏥 Sabamma is one of many night-shift nurses whose work has been transformed by @selcoofficial. They’re bringing reliable solar power, better equipment, and smarter energy solutions to 25,000 healthcare facilities across India by 2026. But this is bigger than one programme — it’s creating a blueprint for how healthcare can be transformed with sustainable energy, paving the way for other regions to replicate and scale these innovations. By supporting SELCO Foundation’s work in India, we’re ensuring reliable, sustainable energy to improve healthcare for 170 million people and create better working conditions for over 160,000 frontline health workers. Want to learn more? Head to our link in bio. #IKEAFoundation #SELCOFoundation #EnergyforHealth
Can you imagine delivering a baby in total darkness?🏥 Sabamma is one of many night-shift nurses whose work has been transformed by @selcoofficial. They’re bringing reliable solar power, better equipment, and smarter energy solutions to 25,000 healthcare facilities across India by 2026. But this is bigger than one programme — it’s creating a blueprint for how healthcare can be transformed with sustainable energy, paving the way for other regions to replicate and scale these innovations. By supporting SELCO Foundation’s work in India, we’re ensuring reliable, sustainable energy to improve healthcare for 170 million people and create better working conditions for over 160,000 frontline health workers. Want to learn more? Head to our link in bio. #IKEAFoundation #SELCOFoundation #EnergyforHealth
Can you imagine delivering a baby in total darkness?🏥 Sabamma is one of many night-shift nurses whose work has been transformed by @selcoofficial. They’re bringing reliable solar power, better equipment, and smarter energy solutions to 25,000 healthcare facilities across India by 2026. But this is bigger than one programme — it’s creating a blueprint for how healthcare can be transformed with sustainable energy, paving the way for other regions to replicate and scale these innovations. By supporting SELCO Foundation’s work in India, we’re ensuring reliable, sustainable energy to improve healthcare for 170 million people and create better working conditions for over 160,000 frontline health workers. Want to learn more? Head to our link in bio. #IKEAFoundation #SELCOFoundation #EnergyforHealth
Can you imagine delivering a baby in total darkness?🏥 Sabamma is one of many night-shift nurses whose work has been transformed by @selcoofficial. They’re bringing reliable solar power, better equipment, and smarter energy solutions to 25,000 healthcare facilities across India by 2026. But this is bigger than one programme — it’s creating a blueprint for how healthcare can be transformed with sustainable energy, paving the way for other regions to replicate and scale these innovations. By supporting SELCO Foundation’s work in India, we’re ensuring reliable, sustainable energy to improve healthcare for 170 million people and create better working conditions for over 160,000 frontline health workers. Want to learn more? Head to our link in bio. #IKEAFoundation #SELCOFoundation #EnergyforHealth
Can you imagine delivering a baby in total darkness?🏥 Sabamma is one of many night-shift nurses whose work has been transformed by @selcoofficial. They’re bringing reliable solar power, better equipment, and smarter energy solutions to 25,000 healthcare facilities across India by 2026. But this is bigger than one programme — it’s creating a blueprint for how healthcare can be transformed with sustainable energy, paving the way for other regions to replicate and scale these innovations. By supporting SELCO Foundation’s work in India, we’re ensuring reliable, sustainable energy to improve healthcare for 170 million people and create better working conditions for over 160,000 frontline health workers. Want to learn more? Head to our link in bio. #IKEAFoundation #SELCOFoundation #EnergyforHealth
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Can you imagine delivering a baby in total darkness?🏥 Sabamma is one of many night-shift nurses whose work has been transformed by @selcoofficial. They’re bringing reliable solar power, better equipment, and smarter energy solutions to 25,000 healthcare facilities across India by 2026. But this is bigger than one programme — it’s creating a blueprint for how healthcare can be transformed with sustainable energy, paving the way for other regions to replicate and scale these innovations. By supporting SELCO Foundation’s work in India, we’re ensuring reliable, sustainable energy to improve healthcare for 170 million people and create better working conditions for over 160,000 frontline health workers. Want to learn more? Head to our link in bio. #IKEAFoundation #SELCOFoundation #EnergyforHealth
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#COP30 has started in Belém, Brazil — a pivotal moment for the world to turn climate commitments into concrete action. The IKEA Foundation joins with a clear purpose: to advance people-centred solutions that connect global ambition with local realities. Guided by our new strategy, we’re focusing on ways to reduce and avoid greenhouse gas emissions across key systems — energy; land, food and forests; and buildings and transport — driving change that benefits both people and the planet. Our team is in #Brazil meeting community leaders, funders, and partners to share ideas and strengthen collaboration on projects that can grow and make a real difference. 🌎🤝 Over the next two weeks, we’ll be listening, learning, and sharing insights as we work together to create lasting impact. #ClimateAction #IKEAFoundation
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