No Waste Challenge winners announced

Today, our partner What Design Can Do announced the 16 winners of their global No Waste Challenge.

The winning projects all have innovative strategies to reduce waste and its impact on climate change. Together, they suggest inventive ways for us to reconcile what we want with what the planet needs.

Production and consumption
Among the winners are solutions that focus on the production process. Sustrato (Mexico), for example, combines traditional craft, contemporary design and waste from the pineapple industry to develop sustainable bioplastics. Modern Synthesis (UK) makes use of a similar waste stream — this time from apple farms — to feed microbes that grow fully circular fibers for the fashion industry. Meanwhile, working to clean up the construction sector are Carbon Tile (India) and Packing Up PFAS (Netherlands). These projects offer innovative building materials that remove toxic pollutants and carbon dioxide from the environment.

Nyungu Afrika, winner of the No Waste Challenge

Disrupting throwaway culture
Moving away from the factory floor, other winners seek to uproot entire value systems. These projects are looking to prevent waste by addressing the underlying problem of consumerism. Reparar.org (Argentina) is a service which connects individuals to local cobblers and repair shops, working to promote a culture of care and the right-to-repair. Project R (Japan), is a community centre that empowers citizens to learn about circular techniques and lifestyles. Another disruption to throwaway culture is Nyungu Afrika (Kenya). This social enterprise hopes to make low-cost and biodegradable menstrual products the norm across Africa. 

Selecting the winners
An international jury of 12 leading experts in design, entrepreneurship and climate action selected the winners from 85 shortlisted entries.

Liz McKeon, Head of Climate Action portfolio at the IKEA Foundation, was on the jury. She says: “I was impressed by the many great young entrepreneurs and creatives from around the world who submitted designs to tackle the root causes responsible for waste, and their determination to find solutions. Even those who were not selected as winners will contribute just as much to creating a liveable planet for the many.”

Launching ideas into action
The No Waste Challenge is What Design Can Do’s third Climate Action Challenge in partnership with the IKEA Foundation. Open to creative entrepreneurs everywhere, it attracted 1,409 submissions from more than 100 countries.

The winning teams will receive €10,000 in funding, and access to a development programme co-created with Impact Hub Amsterdam. The programme begins with a week-long bootcamp. This is tailor-made for the special blend of change-makers present among participants.

You can view all projects on the Challenge platform: nowaste.whatdesigncando.com 


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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
  • 🪰 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
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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
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4/4