Weaving a sustainable future

The clothing industry has been hit hard by COVID-19. Consumer demand for clothing has gone down, leading to enormous amounts of overstock and big brands cancelling orders. This has caused financial problems for producers who have laid off employees on a massive scale.

Workers in production countries such as India are worst affected. Without a job, they lack the means to support their families.

This domino effect has exposed both the deep inequality and unsustainable roots of the fashion industry. Consumers are demanding clothing that hasn’t been made at the cost of people and planet. Real change is needed—now, more than ever.

Putting workers first

The IKEA Foundation is supporting Enviu’s Reweave programme to enable circular and fair production in India. As a serial entrepreneur, Enviu is driving sustainable innovation by building new companies across the clothing production chain. These companies are turning waste into value and social inclusivity is part of their DNA.

One of these companies is Khaloom, a handweaving unit in Bangalore that upcycles textile waste into new, high-end fabrics. Khaloom puts their employees first, showing that employers must take responsibility for the welfare of their workers—especially in today’s turbulent times.

During the lockdown in India, Khaloom had to close its business. However, the company felt the responsibility to continue to pay its weavers and, with support of the IKEA Foundation, it was able to do so.

Income during lockdown

Divya and Chandrakala are weavers at Khaloom and absolutely love their jobs. Weaving is engrained in their families, a skill passed down from generation to generation.

“I like the meditativeness of weaving. It comes naturally,” Divya explains. “My father taught me and I started when I was 12. Weaving is in my genes.”

“I was relieved after Khaloom’s call of continuing to pay us,” Chandrakala says. “I was worried where we would get money for essentials like meals from. My husband’s shop was closed. There would have been no income.”

“I had heard of people who weren’t paid anything. The companies which laid off people have existing employees who are overworked. I have a neighbour who is overworked. The work times have only become longer.”

We feel safe here

“I was overjoyed when Khaloom opened again,” Divya says. “I felt like I was lost in a jungle and came back! I was so happy to be reunited with my colleague weavers, my friends. I have worked in other companies, but at Khaloom I can be myself without fear. I can ask and be open with Khaloom.”

Chandrakala says: “Management is great and supportive, and we all feel safe here. We have been following precautions like thermal scanning, washing hands, sanitising, wearing masks, and distancing.”

Khaloom is setting an example to the rest of the fashion industry, creating a blueprint for what change can look like and proving that it’s possible. In this way, we believe that serving people and planet isn’t just a trend but can become the norm.

Partner

Social

Stay up-to-date and follow us for news and info about exciting grants

  • The IKEA Foundation supports @goglassociation to strengthen and develop the global industry around Productive Use of Renewable Energy (#PURE). Their #PuttingSolar2Work series highlights the benefits that renewable energy can bring to people like Doreen Njoroge. 

Doreen is a mother of three from rural Kenya. In 2022, she adopted an Agsol solar-powered micro-mill, which has not only reduced costs and saved time but also provided her community with cleaner flour. Her story illustrates the potential of #OffGridSolar technology to foster opportunities and resilience. 🌽 🌍

By #PuttingSolar2Work, smallholder farmers aren't just enhancing their businesses but also becoming agents of climate action and economic growth.

🔗 Visit our link in bio to learn more. 

*Image credit to Agsol/GOGLA.

#IKEAFoundation #GOGLA #RenewableEnergy
  • We’re partnering with @thecirculateinitiative to support the Responsible Sourcing Initiative in Kenya and India. This collaboration will help improve the livelihoods of waste workers and increase the responsible sourcing of recycled plastics.

Through training and skills development, the initiative aims to:

✅ Support 500+ waste enterprises.
✅ Generate 100,000 tons of responsibly sourced recycled plastic.
✅ Improve the livelihoods of 50,000 informal waste sector workers and waste pickers by 2026.

By working with global and local partners, we are strengthening plastic recycling supply chains to be fair, just, and inclusive—helping people and protecting the planet.

Head to our link in bio to read more.

#IKEAFoundation #TheCirculateInitiative
  • We’re pleased to share the Climate Governance Initiative 2024 Annual Report. 🌍 🙌

The IKEA Foundation proudly supports Climate Governance Initiative because we believe effective climate leadership within business is vital to transition towards a sustainable and inclusive future.
 
Over the past five years, Climate Governance Initiative has grown into a powerful global movement, empowering over 100,000 board directors across 33 Chapters worldwide to drive bold climate action. 
 
"Climate Governance Initiative has built the foundation of a truly global and influential movement, and this Annual Report portrays a vigorous movement, ever-growing in strength and purpose." - Julie Baddeley, Chair of the Governing Board, Climate Governance Initiative
 
🔗 Head to our link in bio to read the report in full. 
 
#IKEAFoundation #ClimateGovernanceInitiative
The IKEA Foundation supports @goglassociation to strengthen and develop the global industry around Productive Use of Renewable Energy (#PURE). Their #PuttingSolar2Work series highlights the benefits that renewable energy can bring to people like Doreen Njoroge. 

Doreen is a mother of three from rural Kenya. In 2022, she adopted an Agsol solar-powered micro-mill, which has not only reduced costs and saved time but also provided her community with cleaner flour. Her story illustrates the potential of #OffGridSolar technology to foster opportunities and resilience. 🌽 🌍

By #PuttingSolar2Work, smallholder farmers aren't just enhancing their businesses but also becoming agents of climate action and economic growth.

🔗 Visit our link in bio to learn more. 

*Image credit to Agsol/GOGLA.

#IKEAFoundation #GOGLA #RenewableEnergy
The IKEA Foundation supports @goglassociation to strengthen and develop the global industry around Productive Use of Renewable Energy (#PURE). Their #PuttingSolar2Work series highlights the benefits that renewable energy can bring to people like Doreen Njoroge. Doreen is a mother of three from rural Kenya. In 2022, she adopted an Agsol solar-powered micro-mill, which has not only reduced costs and saved time but also provided her community with cleaner flour. Her story illustrates the potential of #OffGridSolar technology to foster opportunities and resilience. 🌽 🌍 By #PuttingSolar2Work, smallholder farmers aren't just enhancing their businesses but also becoming agents of climate action and economic growth. 🔗 Visit our link in bio to learn more. *Image credit to Agsol/GOGLA. #IKEAFoundation #GOGLA #RenewableEnergy
1 month ago
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We’re partnering with @thecirculateinitiative to support the Responsible Sourcing Initiative in Kenya and India. This collaboration will help improve the livelihoods of waste workers and increase the responsible sourcing of recycled plastics.

Through training and skills development, the initiative aims to:

✅ Support 500+ waste enterprises.
✅ Generate 100,000 tons of responsibly sourced recycled plastic.
✅ Improve the livelihoods of 50,000 informal waste sector workers and waste pickers by 2026.

By working with global and local partners, we are strengthening plastic recycling supply chains to be fair, just, and inclusive—helping people and protecting the planet.

Head to our link in bio to read more.

#IKEAFoundation #TheCirculateInitiative
We’re partnering with @thecirculateinitiative to support the Responsible Sourcing Initiative in Kenya and India. This collaboration will help improve the livelihoods of waste workers and increase the responsible sourcing of recycled plastics. Through training and skills development, the initiative aims to: ✅ Support 500+ waste enterprises. ✅ Generate 100,000 tons of responsibly sourced recycled plastic. ✅ Improve the livelihoods of 50,000 informal waste sector workers and waste pickers by 2026. By working with global and local partners, we are strengthening plastic recycling supply chains to be fair, just, and inclusive—helping people and protecting the planet. Head to our link in bio to read more. #IKEAFoundation #TheCirculateInitiative
2 months ago
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We’re pleased to share the Climate Governance Initiative 2024 Annual Report. 🌍 🙌

The IKEA Foundation proudly supports Climate Governance Initiative because we believe effective climate leadership within business is vital to transition towards a sustainable and inclusive future.
 
Over the past five years, Climate Governance Initiative has grown into a powerful global movement, empowering over 100,000 board directors across 33 Chapters worldwide to drive bold climate action. 
 
"Climate Governance Initiative has built the foundation of a truly global and influential movement, and this Annual Report portrays a vigorous movement, ever-growing in strength and purpose." - Julie Baddeley, Chair of the Governing Board, Climate Governance Initiative
 
🔗 Head to our link in bio to read the report in full. 
 
#IKEAFoundation #ClimateGovernanceInitiative
We’re pleased to share the Climate Governance Initiative 2024 Annual Report. 🌍 🙌

The IKEA Foundation proudly supports Climate Governance Initiative because we believe effective climate leadership within business is vital to transition towards a sustainable and inclusive future.
 
Over the past five years, Climate Governance Initiative has grown into a powerful global movement, empowering over 100,000 board directors across 33 Chapters worldwide to drive bold climate action. 
 
"Climate Governance Initiative has built the foundation of a truly global and influential movement, and this Annual Report portrays a vigorous movement, ever-growing in strength and purpose." - Julie Baddeley, Chair of the Governing Board, Climate Governance Initiative
 
🔗 Head to our link in bio to read the report in full. 
 
#IKEAFoundation #ClimateGovernanceInitiative
We’re pleased to share the Climate Governance Initiative 2024 Annual Report. 🌍 🙌

The IKEA Foundation proudly supports Climate Governance Initiative because we believe effective climate leadership within business is vital to transition towards a sustainable and inclusive future.
 
Over the past five years, Climate Governance Initiative has grown into a powerful global movement, empowering over 100,000 board directors across 33 Chapters worldwide to drive bold climate action. 
 
"Climate Governance Initiative has built the foundation of a truly global and influential movement, and this Annual Report portrays a vigorous movement, ever-growing in strength and purpose." - Julie Baddeley, Chair of the Governing Board, Climate Governance Initiative
 
🔗 Head to our link in bio to read the report in full. 
 
#IKEAFoundation #ClimateGovernanceInitiative
We’re pleased to share the Climate Governance Initiative 2024 Annual Report. 🌍 🙌 The IKEA Foundation proudly supports Climate Governance Initiative because we believe effective climate leadership within business is vital to transition towards a sustainable and inclusive future. Over the past five years, Climate Governance Initiative has grown into a powerful global movement, empowering over 100,000 board directors across 33 Chapters worldwide to drive bold climate action. "Climate Governance Initiative has built the foundation of a truly global and influential movement, and this Annual Report portrays a vigorous movement, ever-growing in strength and purpose." - Julie Baddeley, Chair of the Governing Board, Climate Governance Initiative 🔗 Head to our link in bio to read the report in full. #IKEAFoundation #ClimateGovernanceInitiative
3 months ago
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