Staying committed to change is the IKEA way

At IKEA, we believe everyone has a valuable role to play. Together, we are committed to building a better society where everyone thrives and feels welcome—no matter who they are or where they come from. By enhancing our commitments, we join hands to change the narrative for the better, continuing our support for refugees, driving social integration and the rebuilding of livelihoods. It's a journey of change that we embark on as a community, committed to making a positive impact together.

Changing the narrative | 3 ways to take action | Our milestones | Our commitment

What we’ve learned through integration

Welcoming refugees into our teams has taught us a lot about sustainable integration, leadership, and what business can achieve when it leads with values.

Here are some of the key learnings for companies who want to turn commitment into action:

Take responsibility

More important than having the perfect plan is having the courage to take the first step. Companies that take responsibility help move society forward.

Discover talent

Refugees bring a diverse array of perspectives into your team. Employing people with a refugee background has enhanced our capacity for innovation.

Consider needs

Introductory programmes require a certain amount of flexibility. It’s worth tailoring them specifically to the refugees themselves.

Accept help

You don’t have to go it alone. Charities and the government can help you pinpoint the right concept.

Be grateful

At our company, employing refugees has had a thoroughly positive impact – and that’s something we’re grateful for.

Ready to sign off on a more inclusive future?

Join us on 13 November at our Plan and Order Point in Zurich for a dialogue platform on the topic of Labour Market Integration of Refugees.

Programme:

5:00 PM – Arrival
5:30 PM – Talks
6:30 PM – Hot dogs and networking

Seats are limited.

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“Skills for Employment Toolkit”

A how-to guide for opening pathways to decent work for refugees.

Open “Skills for Employment Toolkit”

Together, we can change the way we think

A negative filter exists in many minds when it comes to refugees. It exists because of the way refugees are spoken about online and in the media. So, let’s learn the truth together, let’s support refugees in our communities and help change the narrative for the better, together.

Over 110 million people around the world have been forced to flee their homes. This number continues to grow, as does the discrimination they face in the search for homes, jobs, and stability. We believe that refugees have more to offer to society and economies than the perceived misconceptions of them being a burden. For us, all people deserve respect, dignity, and opportunities. By partnering with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, we hope to change the narrative around refugees together.

For years, we've worked with refugees across many aspects of our business, through initiatives like Skills for Employment and IKEA Social Entrepreneurship. Our goal is to continue elevating these voices globally, providing a platform where refugees can openly share their stories. By listening to refugees—who seek nothing more than the peace and safety we all value—we learn, grow, and transform together, for the better.

Everyone deserves to tell their own story

At IKEA, we're convinced that all people have the right to tell their own stories. The stories we share help in bringing the truth forward, changing minds, and capturing hearts. We know changing the narrative won't happen overnight, but together, we can all take steps to do our part and to create a better future.

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Yevheniia leans against the doorframe in her living room wearing jeans and a white shirt.

Fleeing Ukraine at 19 - meet Yevheniia

Watch the inspiring story of Yevheniia as she reflects on life, feelings and learnings as a young refugee and hear her message to the world.

Nataliia stands indoors and looks into the camera in a white shirt and brown loose hair.

Rebuilding life after Ukraine - meet Nataliia

“There is nothing eternal, that life is fleeting”. Forced to flee Ukraine, Nataliia and her daughter rebuild life, dreams and hopes again in their new home.

Edgar sits outdoors in his red shirt and smiles at the camera.

A refugee in Brussels - meet Edgar

Edgar, a Venezuelan Refugee who has overcome the odds to build a life again in Brussels as he plans to reunite with his daughter.

Zahra and Tarek in their living room, holding each other while smiling at the camera before having a coffe break.

Leaving Syria behind - meet Zahra and Tarek

When all is lost, life remains. Meet Zahra and Tarek as they tell their story of leaving the destruction of Syria behind to find a future for their sons.

Hassan smiles at the camera on his balcony in a red sweater.

A new beginning in Oslo - meet Hassan

Watch as Hassan opens up about his dreams and learnings as refugee navigating life in Oslo.

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Portrait of Iraqi refugee Aya Abdullah smiling, wearing a black and yellow graduate cap against a gray background.

From Iraq to Switzerland – meet Aya

Becoming a voice for the voiceless, take part in Aya’s journey from Syria to Turkey and finally Switzerland.

Portrait of Barthelemy, a Congolese reufgee, smiling at the camera wearing a dark blazer and white shirt.

From the DRC to Zimbabwe – meet Barthelemy

From seeking refuge to helping refugees, discover Barthelemy Mwanza's journey from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to Zimbabwe.

Portrait of Clementine, a Congolese refugee, smiling at the camera wearing a colourful pattern.

From the DRC to Rwanda – meet Clementine

Planting the seeds of hope in Rwanda, meet Clementine and learn her story.

A portrait of Esperance, a Congolese refugee and IKEA Switzerland co-worker, smiling.

From the Republic of the Congo to Switzerland – meet Esperance

Discover how Esperance set out to realise her dreams after finding refuge in Switzerland.

A portrait of Odai, an Iraqi refugee and IKEA Switzerland co-worker, smiling.

From Iraq to Switzerland – meet Odai

Finding peace and security in Switzerland, meet Odai Al Fallooji from Baghdad and hear his story.

Portrait of Precious, a Nigerian refugee and IKEA Canada co-worker, wearing a white blouse.

From Nigeria to Canada – meet Precious

A leap of faith from Nigeria to Canada, come discover what it took for Precious to feel at home in a new country.

Portrait of Clementine, a Congolese refugee, standing on a field wearing a colorful pattern.

Three ways to take action

Stay in the know

We can help take back the narrative together, when we stop talking about refugees and start talking with refugees. Take a simple quiz created by the IKEA foundation in collaboration with Gapminder and get your facts right to help dispel the misinformation around refugees.
Stay Tuned
You can take meaningful action on a local scale by engaging with organisations and NGOs around you that focus on assisting refugees and helping them integrate into society.
Spread Awareness
Always share verified facts from trusted sources to help counter the spread of negativity and misinformation by calling it out.

Our milestones

3’700+ refugees supported

Ingka Group’s Skills for Employment initiative has supported more than 3’700 refugees in 26 countries.  

300+ refugees supported in Switzerland

Since 20216, IKEA Switzerland has supported the sustainable professional integration of refugees with three different integration programs.

300 million EUR invested

IKEA Foundation surpassed its 100 million EUR commitment. They have now invested over 300 million EUR towards enhancing the livelihoods of refugees and their host communities.

Zahra and Tarek in their kitchen, smiling to the camera while holding coffee cups.

A bright children's room with IKEA TROFAST storage filled with toys and books in the window.

Hassan stands on his balcony in a red sweater, looking out the window.

Yevheniia wearing a white blouse, sitting in her kitchen smiling.

Seed plantings on a table, a small Swedish flag in paper lays next to a pot.

Our commitments continue

Ingka Group will continue to support an additional 3,000 refugees. We will help ease integration by providing upskilling through language and technical training, building inclusive talent pools and advocating for positive change with UNHCR.
IKEA Foundation will continue to fund work related to those forcibly displaced beyond the 300 million EUR already provided. The focus remains on working to maximise the impact on displaced communities.  
Inter IKEA Group are working with Jordan River Foundation to create 400 long term jobs and social integration.  
IKEA Social Entrepreneurship, alongside the Cisco Foundation and NESsT, has launched an initiative to assist refugees and migrants in Poland and Romania, targeting to create 3,000 long-term jobs that will positively impact over 5,000 displaced people.