Supporting social entrepreneurs to…

We asked four organizations why they support social entrepreneurs. Here is what they have to say:

IKEA:…create jobs
Engaging with social entrepreneurs can create an exciting ripple effect that may exceed your expectations. At IKEA, we have formed long-term partnerships with social enterprises and social businesses for the past six years. The results of these collaborations range from co-developing unique products to creating new jobs. For example, in 2017 IKEA teamed up with the non-profit organization Jordan River Foundation in response to the Syrian refugee crisis. Now, more than 100 artisans in Jordan contribute to a limited-edition collection: TILLTALANDE, sold in selected IKEA stores. By 2020, the initiative is anticipated to provide jobs for another 300 women.

Besides creating more jobs, another benefit is that women get more respect in their communities, as they inspire others and gain confidence by learning skills, plus earn an income to support their families. This is why IKEA wants to support more social entrepreneurs. Currently, we have 26 global partnerships—in India, Thailand, Jordan, Romania and Uganda—offering more than 11,000 jobs, especially for refugees and immigrants in partnerships which are close to retail, services and collections. We also conduct 23 local partnerships, providing decent work for vulnerable groups that struggle to access the local labor market in addition to offering IKEA customers access to new services and products.

—Vaishali Misra, Business Leader for Social Entrepreneurs at IKEA Sweden

NORRSKEN FOUNDATION: …build sustainable societies

At Norrsken, we believe companies should be celebrated for more than just growth, valuation and profit. There should be more emphasis on creating a better world for both the people and the earth.
Unlike problems of the past, many of the challenges we face today steer from local to global. This is why, at Norrsken, we set out to support social entrepreneurs driven to solve some of the world’s biggest problems, such as reducing food waste, revolutionizing healthcare, modernizing agriculture, improving education, and supporting integration. We believe that entrepreneurs building rapidly scalable businesses are the best bet to dealing with global issues. Now, we are only getting started. Supporting social entrepreneurs with our shared vision gives meaning to our company. It makes us very optimistic about the future. Ultimately, this is less about Norrsken and more about the entrepreneurs with the big ideas—they are the heroes; the ones who really deserve the spotlight. We want these entrepreneurs with such important missions to have the best opportunities to succeed. By enabling fantastic role models—entrepreneurs that demonstrate how the impossible could become possible—more talent and capital will be directed towards doing good.

—Judit Wefer, Programme Director, Social Innovation at Vinnova

NORRSKEN
Foundation...improve the world
At Norrsken, we believe companies should be celebrated for more than just growth, valuation and profit. There should be more emphasis on creating a better world for both the people and the earth.

Unlike problems of the past, many of the challenges we face today steer from local to global. This is why, at Norrsken, we set out to support social entrepreneurs driven to solve some of the world’s biggest problems, such as reducing food waste, revolutionizing healthcare, modernizing agriculture, improving education, and supporting integration. We believe that entrepreneurs building rapidly scalable businesses are the best bet to dealing with global issues. Now, we are only getting started. Supporting social entrepreneurs with our shared vision gives meaning to our company. It makes us very optimistic about the future.

Ultimately, this is less about Norrsken and more about the entrepreneurs with the big ideas—they are the heroes; the ones who really deserve the spotlight. We want these entrepreneurs with such important missions to have the best opportunities to succeed. By enabling fantastic role models—entrepreneurs that demonstrate how the impossible could become possible—more talent and capital will be directed towards doing good.

—Daniel Glasman, Creative Director at Norrsken Foundation

SQUARE ROOTS:…revolutionize the industry
For many years, potential farmers have faced major obstacles—whether it is entering the business or making a livable income. Seeing that the average age of American farmers is 58 years old, we recognize a serious need to introduce younger people to the farming business now more than ever. Hence, Square Roots decided to start the “Next-Gen Farmer Training Program.”

As an urban farming company that grows and sells nutritious food from our indoor, modular, hydroponic farms in Brooklyn, our mission is to deliver local, real food to people in cities and empower next-gen leaders in urban farming. Undoubtedly, this program will become the perfect starting point.Beyond inviting young farmers to join urban farming, our program focuses on supplying them with tools, intuitive technology, and know-how to grow great food. Additionally, they can learn more about food entrepreneurship and ways to engage local communities.The result speaks for itself. Since the program started in 2016, our alumni have started their own urban farming businesses, joined our team, or worked at other forward-thinking organizations around the world. Therefore, we at Square Roots believe supporting social entrepreneurs is one of the keys to revolutionizing the food industry!

—Tobias Peggs, CEO of Square Roots