World Refugee Day: How our programmes enable refugees and host communities to thrive together

This World Refugee Day, we are looking at a different world, one that is grappling with the COVID-19 crisis. Life as many of us knew it seemed to change overnight.

For a refugee who has been forced to flee home because of conflict or violence, living with fear and uncertainty is nothing new. Many have had to leave loved ones behind to start a new life in an unfamiliar place.

“I only took my wife and two children with me when I fled my home country. I left everything behind. I had to start from scratch to improve my family’s living conditions, but it was not easy,” says Muhizi Kayonde Pierre. The Congolese father of four is now living in Rwanda, growing and selling corn to support his family.

Muhizi is part of an agricultural project promoting inclusion in the Misizi marshland of Rwanda, set up by the IKEA Foundation, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and partners. The project gives over 1,400 Rwandan and Congolese farmers the ability to work and improve their family’s incomes.

The ties between local people and those who have arrived more recently are clear–across fields full of ripened corn, they are working together, all contributing to create a more prosperous community.

@UNHCR in Rwanda. IKEA Foundation supports food security project for refugees and Rwanda farmers

Muhizi is a refugee from Democratic Republic of Congo, taking part in the Misizi Marshland project. Bringing together more than 1000 growers who were both Rwandans and refugees, this 2019 project in Misizi marshalnd aimed to enhance livelihoods and peaceful coexistence between refugees and local communities. Refugees together with Rwandan farmers built their skills and contributed to the local economy while becoming self-reliant and contributing towards local development goals. This project was funded by IKEA Foundation and implemented jointly with UNHCR, the World Food Programme (WFP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Government of Rwanda (MINEMA) and local authorities.

Improving incomes and self-reliance

The IKEA Foundation has committed €100 million in grants over the next five years for programmes that help both refugees and people in their host communities improve their incomes and become more self-reliant. The Misizi marshland project with UNHCR is one of those programmes.

Another is the BILLY project, run by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Nairobi. The BILLY project helps refugees and young Kenyans living in Nairobi’s informal settlements to earn a better income through a flexible training and employment programme, tailored to each individual’s needs.

By offering business-skills training, start-up grants, apprenticeships, and connections to local employers, the IRC is helping vulnerable people improve their chances for a better future.

“When I got help from IRC, my life changed greatly,” says Eve Kasyoki, who fled violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and now supports her three children and husband in Nairobi.

Eve Kasyoki, who fled the Democratic Republic of the Congo and now supports her three children and husband in Nairobi, Kenya

Supporting the local community

Eve started her own business making and selling clothing, thanks to business training and a start-up grant from the IRC. Not only is she earning money from her business, but she is also using her skills to do good in her community and to help others improve their incomes.

“During this pandemic, I noticed business was running low,” she says. “To ensure that my business continued to thrive, I started to sew face masks.

“I also supply face masks to people who sell them outside this neighbourhood. For example, there are Kenyans who have been affected by the pandemic because many of them have lost their jobs, or their businesses are doing poorly. When I started to sell masks, I supplied them with some. They sell them and they pay me afterwards. That is how I have managed my business.”

Hopes for a better future

“I have great hopes for my business,” Eve says. “First, I want to buy a nice new sewing machine. Then, I want to expand. I would even like to open a school to train people to sew. I find that many refugees as well as Kenyans wish they had a job, but they do not have the skillset required. I want to employ people who can help to run the business.”

This year, as we honour refugees like Muhizi and Eve, the sacrifices they have made for their families, and the solidarity and inclusion shown by their host communities, we do so in a world where the value of each and every person has never been clearer.

Investing in the needs and building the resilience of local community organisations is one of the most effective ways to help families respond to and recover from problems they face, irrespective of their origin.

Partner

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

Partner

International Rescue Committee
https://www.rescue.org/

Partner

Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations
https://www.fao.org/home/en

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  • 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
3 weeks 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
2 months ago
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