IKEA Foundation

About the IKEA Foundation

The IKEA Foundation believes that all children and young people deserve to look forward to a bright future full of opportunities. But for many of them, there are two major threats to that future: poverty and climate change. That is why the IKEA Foundation is committed to helping people living in poverty afford a better everyday life while protecting the planet.

Our partnership with the IKEA Foundation

Our partnership with the IKEA Foundation ran from 2019 until 2022. Together we supported over 3,200 entrepreneurs in India and Bangladesh to start over 1,200 new businesses and strengthen over 1,400 existing businesses – making a lasting impact on the lives of the entrepreneurs, their businesses and communities. YBI members Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust (BYST) in India and Youth Enterprise Advice and Helpcentre (B’YEAH) in Bangladesh implemented the programme, which included training, mentoring, access to finance and support in adopting digital technologies as well as decent work. Watch the video below to learn more:

Initiatives

2019 – 2022: Accelerating Youth-led Businesses in the Digital Era Accelerating Youth-led Businesses in the Digital Era In 2019, Youth Business International (YBI) launched a regional programme funded by IKEA Foundation to equip young people in India and Bangladesh with the entrepreneurship skills they need to build and sustain thriving businesses, create jobs and boost local economies. Over three years, the programme has: Programme overview Millions of […]

Success Stories

Adaeze Akpagbula

Nigeria

34-year-old entrepreneur Adaeze Akpagbula is passionate about green technology and sustainability in agriculture. Having witnessed the struggles of farmers first-hand—especially her own parents—she was inspired to harness IoT (Internet of Things) and AI (Artificial Intelligence) climate-smart technologies to transform livestock farming. Through her business Farmspeak Technology Limited, Adaeze is making significant strides in enhancing productivity, increasing […]

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Dareem Jeffrey

Trinidad and Tobago

29-year old Dareem Jeffrey’s entrepreneurial journey began with a mission to combat water scarcity in his home country of Trinidad and Tobago. Growing up in a rural community, he witnessed first-hand the challenges posed by water shortages. This inspired him to create EcoWash, an innovative, ecological carwash system that uses only two litres of water […]

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Keerthana Vangapally

India

29-year-old Keerthana Vangapally’s journey as a social entrepreneur began with a deeply personal experience. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she fell seriously ill. Her family turned to traditional millet-based recipes to aid her recovery, and the impact was profound. This experience sparked an idea: what if more people had access to nutritious, preservative-free food options made […]

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Sandra Junele

United Kingdom

Sandra Junele, founder of Junele Ltd, is on a mission to combat climate change by turning textile waste into stunning wall art panels and inspiring her community to embrace sustainability. Her innovative business not only transforms discarded materials into beautiful, eco-friendly products but also creates opportunities for education and advocacy. Sandra’s entrepreneurial journey began with […]

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Ronald Mugaiga

Uganda

Ecomak Recyclers, founded by 29-year-old entrepreneur Ronald Mugaiga, is transforming Uganda’s housing landscape while tackling a global challenge: plastic pollution. This forward-thinking social enterprise recycles plastic waste into low-carbon construction materials, including bricks, blocks, and roofing tiles. These products are not only sustainable but also more affordable and efficient to build with compared to traditional […]

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