Working together to build vibrant communities

June 16, 2021

Ayan Ali Abdi is an entrepreneur, wife and mother. She is also a refugee from Somalia who now lives in Kenya.

It’s World Refugee Day on Sunday 20 June—a chance to recognise the courage and resilience of refugees around the world.

We want to thank all our partners who work to improve the lives of the many refugees and include them in their local communities. Our partners help both refugees and their host communities to achieve sustainable livelihoods and economic self-reliance.

Staying afloat during COVID-19

“Deciding to take professional business support has enlightened me. I was able to strategically plan my finances, benefit from an investment and pay it back in due time.”

Ayan Ali Abdi is an entrepreneur, wife and mother. She is also a refugee from Somalia who now lives in Kenya. Ayan runs a small shop, which was doing well until COVID-19 disrupted the economy. Financial and business support from our partner African Entrepreneur Collective (AEC) helped Ayan keep the family business afloat.

AEC provides training, access to finance and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs like Ayan. So far, AEC has enabled 2,600 people—both refugees and local community members—to build successful businesses and created 2,200 new jobs. They plan to serve thousands more in the coming years.

Becoming an employer
Hakizimana Abuoba

“Since my business stabilised, I am happy with the income and able to offer others employment.”

Born in Burundi, Hakizimana Abuoba has fled several conflicts and now lives in Nairobi, Kenya. He runs a thriving barbershop business, which he set up after receiving training from theAfrican Entrepreneur Collective (AEC)(IRC). He employs two other people.

The IRC helps refugees and young Kenyans living in Nairobi to earn a better income through their BILLY programme. By offering business-skills training, start-up grants, apprenticeships, and connections to local employers, the IRC is helping people improve their futures. Learn more

Supplying renewable energy
Hany

“I work at the solar cooperative, and I love my job.”

Hany is a Somali refugee living in Melkadida, in Dollo Ado, Ethiopia. With support from UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, over 60 refugees and host community members work together in solar mini-grid cooperatives to supply renewable energy to the area.

The cooperatives provide much-needed electricity to camp clinics, health centres and schools. They also power streetlights to provide more hours of light and help people feel safer after dark.

The IKEA Foundation has been working with UNHCR to develop a transformative livelihoods programme in Ethiopia since 2012.

On World Refugee Day we join all our partners in showing solidarity with refugees. Together, we are working to create a stronger, safer and more vibrant world, where everyone is included.

Partner

African Entrepreneur Collective
https://africanentrepreneurcollective.org/
Show our grants

Partner

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

Partner

International Rescue Committee
https://www.rescue.org/
Show our grants

Social

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@ikea_foundation

  • đź“Ł CleanAirFund’s latest report shows that only 1% of international development funding and 2% of international climate funding has gone towards air pollution in the last six years. CleanAirFund’s mission is to tackle global air pollution and deliver clean air for all 🌍 However, the fight against air pollution is still underfunded. Radical collaboration is necessary to create a future where everyone can breathe clean air 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 We call upon other funders to join us now. Read the full report at the link in bio đź”—
  • New York Climate Week brought together climate leaders from around the world to drive climate action 🌍 The task at hand may, at times, seem unsurmountable. And we’re falling behind in our targets to achieve the Paris agreement. Yet, at IKEA Foundation, we’re optimistic as we see many of the solutions to the climate crisis around us 🙌 During New York Climate Week, we collaborated with our partners to announce new initiatives for #PeopleAndPlanet đź’š We believe we can and we will achieve the climate action that is desperately needed. Do you? đź“Ł We call on other funders to join us now. #NewYorkClimateWeek #WeCanWeWill
  • It was great to see leaders gather at We Mean Business Coalition at #ClimateWeekNYC 🌍 Our CEO Per Heggenes joined the We Mean Business Coalition CEO MarĂ­a Mendiluce and other leaders from business and philanthropy.
  • At a crucial time for the global economy and the planet, IKEA Foundation is proud to support the @worldeconomicforum’s Humanitarian and Resilience Investing (HRI) Initiative in its Call to Action. This is focused on establishing New Partnerships to Mobilize $10 Billion to Support Most Vulnerable Communities 🙌 Follow the link in our bio to learn more đź”— #SDIM23 #HRI
📣 CleanAirFund’s latest report shows that only 1% of international development funding and 2% of international climate funding has gone towards air pollution in the last six years. CleanAirFund’s mission is to tackle global air pollution and deliver clean air for all 🌍 However, the fight against air pollution is still underfunded. Radical collaboration is necessary to create a future where everyone can breathe clean air 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 We call upon other funders to join us now. Read the full report at the link in bio 🔗
📣 CleanAirFund’s latest report shows that only 1% of international development funding and 2% of international climate funding has gone towards air pollution in the last six years. CleanAirFund’s mission is to tackle global air pollution and deliver clean air for all 🌍 However, the fight against air pollution is still underfunded. Radical collaboration is necessary to create a future where everyone can breathe clean air 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 We call upon other funders to join us now. Read the full report at the link in bio 🔗
📣 CleanAirFund’s latest report shows that only 1% of international development funding and 2% of international climate funding has gone towards air pollution in the last six years. CleanAirFund’s mission is to tackle global air pollution and deliver clean air for all 🌍 However, the fight against air pollution is still underfunded. Radical collaboration is necessary to create a future where everyone can breathe clean air 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 We call upon other funders to join us now. Read the full report at the link in bio 🔗
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📣 CleanAirFund’s latest report shows that only 1% of international development funding and 2% of international climate funding has gone towards air pollution in the last six years. CleanAirFund’s mission is to tackle global air pollution and deliver clean air for all 🌍 However, the fight against air pollution is still underfunded. Radical collaboration is necessary to create a future where everyone can breathe clean air 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 We call upon other funders to join us now. Read the full report at the link in bio 🔗
3 days ago
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New York Climate Week brought together climate leaders from around the world to drive climate action 🌍 The task at hand may, at times, seem unsurmountable. And we’re falling behind in our targets to achieve the Paris agreement. Yet, at IKEA Foundation, we’re optimistic as we see many of the solutions to the climate crisis around us 🙌 During New York Climate Week, we collaborated with our partners to announce new initiatives for #PeopleAndPlanet 💚 We believe we can and we will achieve the climate action that is desperately needed. Do you? 📣 We call on other funders to join us now. #NewYorkClimateWeek #WeCanWeWill
New York Climate Week brought together climate leaders from around the world to drive climate action 🌍 The task at hand may, at times, seem unsurmountable. And we’re falling behind in our targets to achieve the Paris agreement. Yet, at IKEA Foundation, we’re optimistic as we see many of the solutions to the climate crisis around us 🙌 During New York Climate Week, we collaborated with our partners to announce new initiatives for #PeopleAndPlanet 💚 We believe we can and we will achieve the climate action that is desperately needed. Do you? 📣 We call on other funders to join us now. #NewYorkClimateWeek #WeCanWeWill
New York Climate Week brought together climate leaders from around the world to drive climate action 🌍 The task at hand may, at times, seem unsurmountable. And we’re falling behind in our targets to achieve the Paris agreement. Yet, at IKEA Foundation, we’re optimistic as we see many of the solutions to the climate crisis around us 🙌 During New York Climate Week, we collaborated with our partners to announce new initiatives for #PeopleAndPlanet 💚 We believe we can and we will achieve the climate action that is desperately needed. Do you? 📣 We call on other funders to join us now. #NewYorkClimateWeek #WeCanWeWill
New York Climate Week brought together climate leaders from around the world to drive climate action 🌍 The task at hand may, at times, seem unsurmountable. And we’re falling behind in our targets to achieve the Paris agreement. Yet, at IKEA Foundation, we’re optimistic as we see many of the solutions to the climate crisis around us 🙌 During New York Climate Week, we collaborated with our partners to announce new initiatives for #PeopleAndPlanet 💚 We believe we can and we will achieve the climate action that is desperately needed. Do you? 📣 We call on other funders to join us now. #NewYorkClimateWeek #WeCanWeWill
New York Climate Week brought together climate leaders from around the world to drive climate action 🌍 The task at hand may, at times, seem unsurmountable. And we’re falling behind in our targets to achieve the Paris agreement. Yet, at IKEA Foundation, we’re optimistic as we see many of the solutions to the climate crisis around us 🙌 During New York Climate Week, we collaborated with our partners to announce new initiatives for #PeopleAndPlanet 💚 We believe we can and we will achieve the climate action that is desperately needed. Do you? 📣 We call on other funders to join us now. #NewYorkClimateWeek #WeCanWeWill
New York Climate Week brought together climate leaders from around the world to drive climate action 🌍 The task at hand may, at times, seem unsurmountable. And we’re falling behind in our targets to achieve the Paris agreement. Yet, at IKEA Foundation, we’re optimistic as we see many of the solutions to the climate crisis around us 🙌 During New York Climate Week, we collaborated with our partners to announce new initiatives for #PeopleAndPlanet 💚 We believe we can and we will achieve the climate action that is desperately needed. Do you? 📣 We call on other funders to join us now. #NewYorkClimateWeek #WeCanWeWill
@ikea_foundation
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New York Climate Week brought together climate leaders from around the world to drive climate action 🌍 The task at hand may, at times, seem unsurmountable. And we’re falling behind in our targets to achieve the Paris agreement. Yet, at IKEA Foundation, we’re optimistic as we see many of the solutions to the climate crisis around us 🙌 During New York Climate Week, we collaborated with our partners to announce new initiatives for #PeopleAndPlanet 💚 We believe we can and we will achieve the climate action that is desperately needed. Do you? 📣 We call on other funders to join us now. #NewYorkClimateWeek #WeCanWeWill
6 days ago
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It was great to see leaders gather at We Mean Business Coalition at #ClimateWeekNYC 🌍 Our CEO Per Heggenes joined the We Mean Business Coalition CEO María Mendiluce and other leaders from business and philanthropy.
@ikea_foundation
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It was great to see leaders gather at We Mean Business Coalition at #ClimateWeekNYC 🌍 Our CEO Per Heggenes joined the We Mean Business Coalition CEO María Mendiluce and other leaders from business and philanthropy.
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
3/4
At a crucial time for the global economy and the planet, IKEA Foundation is proud to support the @worldeconomicforum’s Humanitarian and Resilience Investing (HRI) Initiative in its Call to Action. This is focused on establishing New Partnerships to Mobilize $10 Billion to Support Most Vulnerable Communities 🙌 Follow the link in our bio to learn more 🔗 #SDIM23 #HRI
@ikea_foundation
@ikea_foundation
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Follow
At a crucial time for the global economy and the planet, IKEA Foundation is proud to support the @worldeconomicforum’s Humanitarian and Resilience Investing (HRI) Initiative in its Call to Action. This is focused on establishing New Partnerships to Mobilize $10 Billion to Support Most Vulnerable Communities 🙌 Follow the link in our bio to learn more 🔗 #SDIM23 #HRI
1 week ago
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4/4