Reaching an estimated 80 million children by 2015 with our currently funded programmes

69 million school-age children are not in school (UNICEF estimate). School offers children a safe environment with support, supervision and socialisation. Beyond regular school subjects, children also learn life skills that can help them prevent diseases and improve their health, as well as that of their family and community.

Access to quality education also reduces a child’s vulnerability to abuse, exploitation and disease. Girls, more than boys, are at greater risk of such abuse when they aren’t in school. Getting girls into schools and ensuring that they stay and learn has proven to be of particular importance. UNICEF calls it the “multiplier effect”. Educated girls are likely to marry later and have fewer children, who in turn will be more likely to survive and be better nourished and educated. Educated girls are also better able to participate in social, economic and political decision-making in their communities.

The Current focus is on South Asia, and particularly India, where IKEA has been doing business for many years, and where the needs of children are great, e.g:
• 8 million 6-14 year olds are out of school in India.
• Children who remain in school are not learning the basics of reading and calculating due to poor quality of education.

Click on the programme title or partner logo below to learn more

Programmes Partners Addressing the root causes of child labour in cotton and cottonseed farming areas of India and Pakistan.   Addressing the right to be a child in Utar Pradesh, India. Improve access to basic rights and services for children and women in Moradabad, India. Donating 1 euro for every soft toy sold in IKEA stores during the holiday season (November to December).   For every lamp sold in IKEA stores, another is donated to a child in need in developing country.