The IKEA Foundation is an independent philanthropy fighting global warming with and for the many people. Its goal is to accelerate long-term change in high-emitting systems with a direct impact on people’s lives, including: Energy; Land, Food and Forests; and Buildings and Transport. The Foundation works globally with a specific focus on emerging and developing economies.
The IKEA Foundation has a long-held commitment to championing green entrepreneurs who provide employment and livelihoods for people living in poverty. Global economic systems generate wealth and create employment but unsustainable consumption and production is causing huge environmental damage. At the same time, social and economic inequalities are increasing. Unemployment continues to trap families in poverty and makes them more vulnerable to exploitation.
People need opportunities to earn a decent income to lift themselves and their families out of poverty, in a way that protects our planet. Moving toward green, inclusive and localised economies is a way to balance economic growth with fighting global warming.
In its approach to supporting this shift, the IKEA Foundation seeks to act systemically and to partner with local leaders wherever it works. That means understanding all aspects of a challenge to design lasting solutions, while learning from and supporting local leadership. The Foundation provides funding for organisations that drive impact by:
Increasing capital flows: Ensuring that the transition to low emission economies gets the funding it needs by incentivising new grant-making flows, public financing and impact investment that enables positive social and environmental outcomes.
Building markets: Supporting the development of competitive low emission businesses and sectors by increasing access to markets, providing value-chain support, and delivering user-centric solutions.
Enabling policy and regulatory environment: Supporting partners to design and monitor policies and regulations that enable an equitable, low emission transition, building institutional capacity, and setting standards.
Building narratives: Strengthening truth, combatting disinformation and building trust.
Local coordination of actions: Supporting entities that bring together knowledge, narratives, action and resources, to create greater efficiency and lasting impact.
