Skip to main content
IKEA logotype
A person holds an illuminated, flower-shaped portable lamp in front of their one eye.

Published 07 June 2018 • Inter IKEA newsroom

IKEA to explore sustainable off-the-grid living with social business Little Sun

More than one billion people around the world live without access to electricity today. Many of them also lack easy access to clean water and reliable communications services. Teaming up with social business Little Sun, IKEA hopes to raise awareness about these issues and explore the potential of off-the-grid solutions and renewable energy, to make everyday life more sustainable.

Without access to vital resources such as energy, the structure of entire communities can be adversely affected. Education levels drop, as children cannot study after sunset. Working hours are limited to the daytime, while there’s still daylight, and income is subsequently reduced. Medical care, such as delivering babies after dark, becomes more dangerous to provide. IKEA wants to discuss the importance of energy access as well as clean water and communication tools – learning from the challenges faced by people living off the grid and from the experts committed to creating off-grid solutions with the best technology available. The collaboration aims at bringing this shared knowledge to IKEA customers, introducing them to portable solar lighting and other off-grid solutions whilst raising awareness for the global need for energy access for all.

“By democratising great things, we can give many people access to products that make everyday life better, supporting and encouraging independent living. If we can create good, democratic design solutions, then living off the grid can become sustainable, low-cost, and will provide independence,” says Marcus Engman, Head of Design at IKEA Range and Supply.

Little Sun is a global project and social business founded by artist Olafur Eliasson and engineer Frederik Ottesen to bring sustainable, reliable, and affordable energy to people living without electricity in off-the-grid areas all around the world. By collaborating with IKEA, Little Sun wants to inspire and explore new ways to harness the power of the sun through intelligent and creative design.

Together, IKEA and Little Sun want to create a series of sustainable off-the-grid tools for everyday life. Both beautiful and functional, they will be the perfect introduction to renewable energy and strengthen an independent, conscientious lifestyle.

“Little Sun makes solar energy tangible and your world a little bit more sustainable. We are excited to collaborate with IKEA, raising awareness for energy access and the need for global togetherness. Together, we want to connect the world by sharing the power of the sun with everyone," says Olafur Eliasson, Founder of Little Sun.

About IKEA Range & Supply

IKEA is one brand and many companies. Around the globe, a large number of companies operate under the IKEA trademarks. IKEA Range & Supply, consisting of IKEA of Sweden in Älmhult and IKEA Supply, have the responsibility to develop, design, produce, and supply IKEA stores around the world with home furnishing solutions. Each year, IKEA Range & Supply introduces 2,000 new products to IKEA stores. The total range comprises almost 10,000 products.

About Little Sun

Little Sun is a global project and social business that connects the world by sharing the sustainable energy of the sun. Launched by artist Olafur Eliasson and engineer Frederik Ottesen, Little Sun puts the power of the sun in the palm of your hand – creating safe, convenient, sustainable light and energy solutions you can take with you wherever you go. Every Little Sun sold brings clean, reliable, affordable light to people living in areas without electricity, where Little Sun works with sales agents on the ground to strengthen local communities from the inside.

About IKEA

IKEA offers well-designed, functional and affordable, high-quality home furnishing, produced with care for people and the environment. There are several companies with different owners, working under the IKEA Brand, all sharing the same vision: to create a better everyday life for the many people. IKEA was founded in Sweden in 1943.

About the IKEA franchise system

The IKEA retail business is operated through a franchise system with franchisees that are authorised to market and sell the IKEA product range within specified geographical territories. Inter IKEA Systems B.V. is the owner of the IKEA Concept and worldwide IKEA franchisor, who also assigns different IKEA companies to develop the product range, supply products and deliver communication solutions. Today, 13 different groups of companies have the right to own and operate IKEA sales channels under franchise agreements with Inter IKEA Systems B.V.

About Inter IKEA Group

Inter IKEA Group includes Inter IKEA Systems B.V., IKEA of Sweden AB, IKEA Supply AG and IKEA Industry AB related businesses. Inter IKEA Holding B.V. is the holding company for the Inter IKEA Group.

Contacts

If you want to know more about the IKEA Brand: our people and sustainability agenda, our culture and values, the IKEA expansion and franchise system, and/or the IKEA range: how we design and develop our products, including the IKEA food offer, and questions regarding how we source and distribute them, please contact us here: