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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  • 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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