The IKEA Social Entrepreneurship Fellowship 2025 is more than just a scholarship—it is a powerful platform for young leaders who are driving positive change through innovation, impact, and purpose. Created in partnership with One Young World, this fellowship supports social entrepreneurs who are tackling the world’s most pressing issues by equipping them with global exposure, mentorship, and the opportunity to attend the world’s leading youth leadership summit.
If you're a social innovator working on meaningful solutions for your community or country, this fellowship can help take your mission to a global stage.
About the Fellowship
The IKEA Social Entrepreneurship Fellowship is a fully funded opportunity that allows selected candidates to attend the One Young World Summit 2025. This international event brings together over 2,000 young leaders from more than 190 countries, creating an environment where ideas are shared, partnerships are formed, and global challenges are addressed collectively.
This fellowship focuses on entrepreneurs who are using business as a tool to address social and environmental challenges, particularly those with scalable, impactful solutions.
What the Fellowship Covers
- Full delegate access to the One Young World Summit 2025
- Return travel costs to the Summit location
- Hotel accommodation during the Summit
- Meals and local transportation
- Access to a global network of changemakers
- Post-Summit support and visibility
Who Should Apply
This fellowship is aimed at founders and key decision-makers from social enterprises, campaigns, non-profits, or mission-driven for-profit businesses. You should apply if you:
- Are between 18 to 35 years old
- Lead an organization that addresses social, economic, or environmental issues
- Can demonstrate measurable impact through your work
- Have a strong vision and ambition to scale your solution
- Are able to attend the Summit and communicate in English
Applicants from all countries and backgrounds are welcome.
Application Requirements
The application process is detailed and requires thoughtful responses. As the form cannot be saved mid-way, it is recommended to prepare your answers offline in advance.
You will need to provide:
- Personal details (name, nationality, date of birth, contact information)
- A short biography (200 words) that highlights your role, achievements, and aspirations
- Your LinkedIn profile
- Organization details, including name, country of operation, and legal structure
- A description of the problem your organization is solving (200 words)
- An explanation of your solution and how it works (200 words)
- A description of your business model (200 words)
- Website and social media links of your organization
- Details on your team structure and size
- Revenue, funding raised, and bank balance (in USD)
- Commercial traction and user engagement in the past six months (200 words)
- Description of the impact made so far, ideally supported by data (200 words)
- Your long-term vision for scale and future impact (200 words)
- Primary groups that benefit from your solution (e.g. youth, women, refugees, etc.)
Why Apply
This is a unique chance to gain recognition, network with global leaders, and connect with mentors, potential investors, and collaborators. The fellowship is not only a financial opportunity—it’s a catalyst for growth, visibility, and global influence.
Previous fellows have reported increased reach, improved strategic partnerships, and even investment interest after attending the One Young World Summit.
How to Apply
To apply, visit the One Young World official website and navigate to the Scholarships section. Be sure to prepare your responses carefully and truthfully. Make sure your LinkedIn and online presence are aligned with your application.
Application Deadline
Applications are currently open for the 2025 cycle. Please check the official One Young World scholarship portal for the most up-to-date deadline and announcement details.
Final Thoughts
If you are building a business or initiative that puts people and the planet first, the IKEA Social Entrepreneurship Fellowship can be your launchpad to scale, impact, and global leadership. It is a chance to showcase your work, learn from peers, and grow as a leader dedicated to driving meaningful change.
Do not miss this opportunity. Take the time to craft a compelling application and share your story with the world.
Official Application Page: www.oneyoungworld.com/scholarships
For questions or help with your application, feel free to reach out or leave a comment on this post. We are here to support aspiring changemakers.