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Co-creating change with social entrepreneurs.

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Swedish furniture giant IKEA plans to sell rugs and textiles made by Syrian refugees. The project which will be rolled out by August 2017 is an effort to tackle poverty and unemployment for refugees and locals in Jordan.

Those who were displaced by the civil war will have a chance to work giving them more opportunity for education and a healthy lifestyle through IKEA’s new social entrepreneurship programmes.

Courtesy of IKEA

The project is estimated to take 200,000 people out of poverty, giving Syrians and Jordanians the opportunity to produce woven products including rugs, cushions and bedspreads.

The Swedish company is joining forces with the Jordan River Foundation, a non-governmental organisation established by Jordan’s Queen Rania.

Courtesy of IKEA

The company will employ 100 people to start rising to 400 within four years. However, this isn’t the first time the retailer has made relief efforts for Syria.  A flat-pack refugee shelter designed by IKEA was awarded Design of the Year in last year’s coveted Beazley competition.

What do you think of the company’s efforts? Tweet us @DesignCurial