The IKEA Foundation believes all children should have access to quality education. Thanks to this donation, UNICEF and Save the Children can extend current projects and start new ones in 22 countries, for example in Africa, Eastern Europe and in Asia. The projects contribute to better water and toilet facilities in schools, improve access to education for minority children, provide educational supplies and train teachers in child-friendly teaching techniques.

“We are very grateful for the support that IKEA customers continue to give to raise funds that will help children worldwide realize their fundamental right to an education” said Leila Pakkala, UNICEF Director of Private Fundraising and Partnerships.

“We would like to thank all the IKEA customers who joined the campaign. Thanks to them and the efforts of IKEA co-workers all over the world, many children will be able to go to school and get an education. We are deeply grateful to them for joining us and the IKEA Foundation in the fight for the actualisation of children’s rights to a healthy, secure childhood and a quality education,” says Elisabeth Dahlin, Chairman of the Save the Children – the IKEA Foundation Collaboration Steering Committee and Secretary General, Save the Children Sweden.

In addition to these UNICEF and Save the Children projects, several local charitable causes were supported. Over 10 IKEA retail countries organised local “give twice” activities, where customers gave away nearly 40,000 purchased soft toys to local children hospitals, children crisis centres and institutions.

Here in the UK over 6.5 thousand soft toys were donated to charities within the community including childrens' hospitals.