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

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 120 million people around the world are forcibly displaced (of which 43.7 million are refugees). 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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Shadia is seated on a bed, wearing a dark jacket and black boots, with curly hair and a relaxed posture, smiling gently.

From activist to asylum seeker - meet Shadia

Forced to flee Colombia, Shadia left behind her work as a social activist and analyst. Now in France, she is rebuilding her career.

Silva and Abdul in their blue IKEA work uniforms holding each other.

Finding love, losing everything, and starting over - meet Silva and Abdul

Silva and Abdul, a married couple from Syria, built a successful business together before war forced them to flee.

Yana at home wearing a green hoodie, she has some tiny braids in her hair.

Finding my place, my voice and my future - meet Yana

Forced to flee Ukraine, Yana Stepaniuk arrived in Hungary with nothing but hope.

Abdi wearing a high-visibility vest, stands with arms crossed in a corridor, smiling.

Power of determination - meet Abdi

Fleeing Somalia as a teenager, Abdi endured a perilous six-month journey to Austria.

Nataliia, smiling brightly, walks along a picturesque path surrounded by lush greenery.

Searching for stability in an uncertain world and reclaiming identity - meet Nataliia

Nataliia found herself rebuilding her life and career in the Czech Republic. From lawyer to refugee, she now fights to reclaim her professional identity and future.

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

A lesson in rebuilding lives - meet Edgar

Forced to flee Venezuela, Edgar left behind his home and daughter. Finding safety in Belgium, he reclaimed his career as an educator and started rebuilding his life.

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.

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.

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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, Skills for Employment programme has supported over 3,700 refugees since 2019 in 26 countries, with 887 completing it in FY24. More than 700 other businesses have been engaged to encourage them to integrate more refugees.  

380+ jobs

Inter IKEA Group has launched a new collection every year, creating 380 jobs for refugees and Jordanian women, positively impacting 1,500 family members.

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.