Innovating through a crisis. Inclusivity with IKEA Social Entrepreneurship
Innovating through a crisis. Inclusivity with IKEA Social Entrepreneurship
Collaboration is key
The Micro Hub: a services ‘micro-hub’ was tested in central Paris with the social enterprise Carton Plein who hire, train and coach people experiencing homelessness back into society. Carton Plein refurbish and resell waste cardboard collected using electrical bike collection rounds. They train up and provide a space for the employees who receive support in finding their way back into the job market, who also get to earn an income from collecting the waste cardboard.
The journey
The day we planned the Micro Hub project opening ended up being the first day of the French lockdown… Which of course delayed the launch since most commercial activities were put to a halt nationwide. But our pilot was somehow even more relevant because of the health crisis: it was a safer, more local option for IKEA customers to receive their products, and the feedback we got confirmed that customers were highly appreciative of the innovative and inclusive service point.
Commissioned by IKEA Social Entrepreneurship to run the complete lean design innovation process, from ideation to pilot support: beneficiary discovery; identifying and shaping impactful concept, social business sourcing with local partner, facilitating contracting and pilot set-up, social impact measurement.
