IKEA Social Entrepreneurship – co-creating change
Since 2012, we have supported entrepreneurs across selected countries who create jobs and new income streams for people facing barriers to employment, working to address challenges such as poverty and exclusion. These entrepreneurs are often called social entrepreneurs.
Partnering in different ways
We boost their potential and impact through development programmes, investments and knowledge sharing where IKEA gains valuable insights. For the social businesses that offer unique products and services, we establish business partnerships and use all IKEA sales channels to make these available to customers.
Addressing poverty, exclusion and inequality through targeted partnerships
We support social businesses by funding accelerator programs and providing direct investment and loans, which allow them to scale. We also support these businesses by exchanging knowledge and learnings with them. We are working toward specific goals around job and income creation, as well as social inclusion, in the communities where our partners operate. We call this IKEA Social Entrepreneurship.
*Responsibility Of People and Environment (ROPE) is one of our social business partners, located in Tamil Nadu (southern India)
Handcrafted with head and heart
Each product in the MÄVINN collection is handmade and unique. They’re made together with selected social business partners from Bangladesh, India, Jordan, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia, who create jobs for people who need them most. Combining modern design with traditional craftsmanship passed down through generations, this collection gives a deeper appreciation for handcrafted items - and the effort and cultural heritage woven into every piece.
11,000 opportunities created
In FY 2025, we worked with 9 social business partners providing 11,000 job and income opportunities in Bangladesh, India, Jordan, Indonesia and Thailand. Further information on our progress is available on ikeasocialentrepreneurship.org.
A collaboration that benefits both sides
When we join forces, the social businesses become part of the IKEA supply chain with access to valuable tools. For example, IKEA designers, product developers and technicians share knowledge of global designs and requirements, while social businesses bring an understanding of raw materials and local crafts.
Through this work, our partners gain access to new marketplaces and can scale up their business. This means they can become more independent and provide more job opportunities. Meanwhile, this enables IKEA to offer uniquely crafted products and services to customers while also including a more diverse group in our supply chain.
A collaboration that benefits both sides
When we join forces, the social businesses become part of the IKEA supply chain with access to valuable tools. For example, IKEA designers, product developers and technicians share knowledge of global designs and requirements, while social businesses bring an understanding of raw materials and local crafts.
Through this work, our partners gain access to new marketplaces and can scale up their business. This means they can become more independent and provide more job opportunities. Meanwhile, this enables IKEA to offer uniquely crafted products and services to customers while also including a more diverse group in our supply chain.
More inclusive home delivery
Together with IKEA France, we piloted a local delivery and collection hub in a part of central Paris with the social enterprise Carton Plein, which hires, trains, and coaches people experiencing homelessness back into society.
In this part of Paris, Carton Plein delivers IKEA products to customers by bike and offers the possibility to customers to pick up their orders. The service is not available yet as a standard delivery option across IKEA markets.
Our other partners involved in this project are Yunus Social Business and MakeSense. With our partner Yunus Social Business (YSB) we began a social innovation process involving key business stakeholders across IKEA. Working with Ingka Group we identified Paris as the location to co-create and test a solution with local YSB partner MakeSense.
More inclusive home delivery
Together with IKEA France, we piloted a local delivery and collection hub in a part of central Paris with the social enterprise Carton Plein, which hires, trains, and coaches people experiencing homelessness back into society.
In this part of Paris, Carton Plein delivers IKEA products to customers by bike and offers the possibility to customers to pick up their orders. The service is not available yet as a standard delivery option across IKEA markets.
Our other partners involved in this project are Yunus Social Business and MakeSense. With our partner Yunus Social Business (YSB) we began a social innovation process involving key business stakeholders across IKEA. Working with Ingka Group we identified Paris as the location to co-create and test a solution with local YSB partner MakeSense.
We offer support
We also back social entrepreneurs who need more support to reach their full potential. Through co-created programmes - offering mentorship, coaching by IKEA co-workers, and providing investment - including direct grants, loans and non-financial tools - we help them expand their approach to addressing social challenges. We also collaborate with them to develop and pilot innovative concepts that explore more inclusive ways of doing business.
