IKEA Foundation renews grant commitment to Efficiency for Access

Energy Saving Trust is pleased to announce that the IKEA Foundation will extend its support to Efficiency for Access’ Low Energy Inclusive Appliances (LEIA) programme by three years.  

The IKEA Foundation first joined Efficiency for Access in 2020, with the aim of reaching 225,000 people with access to energy efficient solar-powered equipment. With this renewed funding commitment, the IKEA Foundation seeks to achieve even greater impact and scale.  

Energy Saving Trust and CLASP co-deliver the LEIA programme, which aims to improve the efficiency, performance, availability and affordability of solar-powered appliances and technologies in developing countries. LEIA’s work results in improved livelihoods and access to electricity by enabling household savings, boosting incomes and creating jobs. In its next phase, with the IKEA Foundation’s support, LEIA will scale its proven interventions and cover a broader range of appliances, business models and markets. 

Jeffrey Prins, head of portfolio renewable energy, the IKEA Foundation, said: “We’re proud to renew our collaboration with the Efficiency for Access Coalition because it’s an effective way to work with like-minded partners and investors to make renewable energy more accessible to many families more quickly. 

“Highly efficient solar-powered appliances can help families improve their income in a sustainable way, so they can afford a better life while also reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions.”  

Support from the IKEA Foundation to date has enabled achievements such as the distribution of $1.2 million in research and development grant funding grant funding to organisations working across Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia who are creating technologies from solar-powered egg incubators to solar-powered truck-mounted refrigerators. The IKEA Foundation and UK aid have also funded three years of the Efficiency for Access Design Challenge, a global, multidisciplinary competition that empowers university students to accelerate clean energy access.  

“Since its launch in 2018, LEIA has established itself as the world’s leading research and innovation programme for affordable, energy efficient and inclusive appliances that enable clean energy access for the world’s poorest people,” added Emilie Carmichael, head of international at Energy Saving Trust. “With the IKEA Foundation’s renewed commitment, we look forward to building on that momentum and helping even more people gain access to technologies that can help enhance their quality of life and livelihoods.”  

For more information, visit the Efficiency for Access website.