Creating long-term systemic change for children
Since 1994 The IKEA Foundation has partnered with Save the Children to empower communities to create a better everyday life for children. Strongly based on shared values, our global partnership has evolved over time.
More recently, the Ikea Foundation has supported Save the Children through the Start Network, a collaboration of more than 90 non-governmental organisations across 5 continents. This Network aims to tackle some of the biggest systemic problems in the humanitarian sector, creating a new era of action, to save even more lives. So that people on the frontline of crisis can themselves provide early, effective responses at the time of, and before crises strike.
Scenes from the primary school in Djelah*. Classes are taught by a teacher called Mary (Mariatu) and are held in the barray (communal area). The former school has fallen into disrepair and is located outside the village. Pupil ages range from 5 to 11 years old and include Fatie*, 11 (tree climber), Foday, 6 (Mommy Pujeh's son) and Hindolo*, 12 (climate reporter). Shona Hamilton / Save the Children
The Green Climate Fund
The IKEA Foundation has also been an instrumental partner in bringing the Green Climate Fund to life. Supporting Save the Children to unlock catalysing funds for the world’s most climate-vulnerable communities and increase climate financing towards programmes that help protect the environment, children and families.
The project will help to establish climate resilient livelihoods such as ensuring climate change is included in curriculums, delivering climate-smart agriculture and increasing women-led climate related skills.
Bendu, 8, cooking with her mother Isatu in their kitchen next to the river. Shona Hamilton / Save the Children
Addressing root causes of child labour
Over the years, The IKEA Foundation has supported Save the Children’s child rights programs in various countries, aiming to improve the lives of children in cotton-growing districts by protecting them from hazardous forms of child labor, abuse, violence, exploitation and neglect.
By fighting the root causes of child labour and strengthening children’s rights, we can keep children safe, out of factories and cotton fields, and in classrooms where they can learn, play and develop.
Junior, 16, inspecting taro plants he’s growing in a community garden in Malaita Province, the Solomon Islands. Conor Ashleigh / Save the Children
