Via BetterShelter.org
When people think of Ikea they usually picture ready-to-assemble furniture and appliances that give your living space that modern, almost sterile look.
What they usually don’t picture is a global charitable foundation that has worked on huge projects with numerous nonprofits. The Ikea Foundation is actually a very well-established charitable organization whose main focus is giving children living in poverty and poor conditions the opportunity to create a better future for themselves.
Via BetterShelter.org
The latest project that the Ikea Foundation is working on has sprouted out of their self-created social enterprise Better Shelter, which is on a mission to deliver 10,000 shelters (designed by Ikea, of course) to refugees in Iraq in partnership with the United Nations. We learned about this project when we came upon this Take Part article last week; which explains that each of these shelters comes equipped with solar panels, mosquito nets, lights, and ventilation. They also come with lockable doors and are said to last up to three years, which is a huge improvement from the current handful of months that the traditional shelters last.
Via BetterShelter.org
With these shelters, Ikea will be improving the quality of life for a good chunk of the more than two million refugees who are currently living in Iraq. Big ideas like this one show how Ikea is truly a leader in the movement where corporations are using their resources and power for social good. Once other corporations start to recognize how projects like this one are benefitting both Ikea, itself, and the world around it they too will hopefully begin to take on similar social good projects. When you think about it, why wouldn’t a ready-to-assemble furniture company help create ready-to-assemble shelters for people in need? Why can’t a major beverage company help provide water to those who have little to no access to clean water?
Here at Idealist we’re on a mission to build a world where everyone is able to live free and dignified lives. We believe this is accomplished through connecting people with other people and resources so that individuals are able to turn their good intentions into successful actions. Organizations and corporations, which already have huge networks of people and a myriad of resources, are a vital part in this plan. If every organization that has extra resources or people with appropriate skills for a task already rounded up gave just a little by donating those resources or utilizing those people’s combined skills we would be that much closer to living in this free and dignified world.
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What’s a corporation that gives back or engages in projects of social good that you absolutely love? Let us know!
