Monday brief · week of 26 October 2026
IKEA Foundation sharpens focus on food-system resilience through renewable infrastructure and early crisis response.
Written each Monday from this funder's own recent publications. Every point links to the sentence it rests on.
What they're leaning into
They are leaning into solar-powered cold storage and other renewable energy solutions that keep smallholder harvests fresh and cut food waste (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 14).
“In Kenya, one in three tomatoes goes to waste soon after harvest.”In Kenya, one in three tomatoes goes to waste soon after harvest. Access to the right infrastructure can help farmers ke · 2026-10-23 ↗“Access to the right infrastructure can help farmers keep their produce fresh.”In Kenya, one in three tomatoes goes to waste soon after harvest. Access to the right infrastructure can help farmers ke · 2026-10-23 ↗Early-action funding is emerging as a priority, giving communities time to prepare for climate-related crises before they unfold (6, 7, 8).
“Acting earlier gives communities time and resources to prepare.”We know more than ever about when and where climate-related crises are likely to hit. But too often, funding arrives aft · 2026-10-22 ↗“It can also help stretched humanitarian funds go further.”We know more than ever about when and where climate-related crises are likely to hit. But too often, funding arrives aft · 2026-10-22 ↗Climate adaptation is now framed as a fight ‘with and for the many people,’ linking livelihoods to global warming (9).
Framing to consider
Grantseekers might frame their work as ‘renewable energy solutions that reduce food loss, lower emissions, and raise incomes for smallholder farmers’ (4, 5, 15).
“who are helping bring renewable energy solutions to smallholder farmers in East Africa and India.”In Kenya, one in three tomatoes goes to waste soon after harvest. Access to the right infrastructure can help farmers ke · 2026-10-23 ↗“who are helping bring renewable energy solutions to smallholder farmers in East Africa and India.”In Kenya, one in three tomatoes goes to waste soon after harvest. Access to the right infrastructure can help farmers ke · 2026-10-23 ↗Projects could be positioned as ‘early-action mechanisms that stretch humanitarian funds by acting before crises hit’ (6, 7, 8).
“Acting earlier gives communities time and resources to prepare.”We know more than ever about when and where climate-related crises are likely to hit. But too often, funding arrives aft · 2026-10-22 ↗“It can also help stretched humanitarian funds go further.”We know more than ever about when and where climate-related crises are likely to hit. But too often, funding arrives aft · 2026-10-22 ↗