2015 IKEA Soft Toys for Education campaign is back!

This holiday, the IKEA Foundation is once again partnering with UNICEF and Save the Children to ensure that every child receives the quality education that he or she deserves through the IKEA Soft Toys for Education campaign. The idea is simple: for every Soft Toy or children’s book sold from now until December 26, 2015, the IKEA Foundation will donate one euro ($1.12) to UNICEF and Save the Children education programs. 

Over the last 12 years, the IKEA Soft Toy for Education campaign has raised more than $102 million, impacting 11 million children in 46 countries. Funds raised through the campaign support UNICEF’s “Schools for Africa” initiative which focuses on providing a quality education to the most disadvantaged children by increasing enrollment and retention, improving education for children by training teachers, providing educational learning materials, and increasing school attendance.

Last year, IKEA, through its stores around the world, launched a children’s drawing competition asking children in Europe, Asia, Africa and India to submit their best drawings of their dream stuffed toy, complete with names and colors. Thousands of submissions poured in, and 10 designs were chosen, including drawings of one-eyed aliens by children like Olivia from the United Kingdom, Koen in the Netherlands, and John & Maja in Norway and Carlota in Spain.  These budding young designers and socially aware artists used their creativity to bring soft toys into the homes and hearts of children and families around the world. 

This holiday season, children around the world can visit IKEA stores in their neighborhoods to participate in the 2015 drawing competition, giving them the opportunity to create the soft toy of their dreams.  For more information visit: http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/good-cause-campaign/soft-toys-for-education/kids-design-for-good-cause/index.html