H&M Foundation

A month after typhoon Yagi swept through Southeast Asia, heavy rains and landslides are still affecting more than 5.3 million people, including 1.5 million children. H&M Foundation is donating USD 250,000 to the Red Cross to support aid efforts in Vietnam, Myanmar and the Philippines. The support will provide people with shelter, food and clean water, access to healthcare and safe places for children who have lost both their homes and schools. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dydrbSty Swedish Red Cross #emergencyrelief #typhoon

Different organisations coming together to bring about change, how does that turn out? We had a conversation with Maria Bystedt, Programme director at H&M Foundation and the initiator of Saamuhika Shakti. ❓ Did anything in Saamuhika Shakti go differently than planned? ”It sure did! This was expected, as it's the first time both us and our partners are working with the Collective Impact model. The program is unique in the Indian context, so we learned as we went along. Our goal was to work holistically and address the root causes of poverty and marginalization among waste pickers. This means coordinating multiple interventions to reach the same households – to ensure children receive a quality education while parents gain access to social security, upskilling, sanitation, healthcare, better working conditions, improved income opportunities, etc.” ❓ What were the challenges of multiple organizations collaborating? ”A while after the program launched, we noticed that the organizations were working in different localities, rather than working in the same communities. They did this to avoid overlapping, overcrowding, or overwhelming the community. The intentions were good! But it risked not reaching the collective impact we aimed for. The challenges of close collaboration were bigger than anticipated, and we hadn’t managed to create conditions for the organizations to alter their usual way of working.” ❓ How did you address this? ”So, we had to go back to the drawing board to ensure increased collaboration with our partners so that multiple interventions reached the same households. One adjustment we made was that partners now have hard-coded collaboration in their planning. They co-create project plans, implement joint activities like community resource centers and outreach, share learnings and resources, training, and set KPIs for these efforts, etc. We really see the impact on the ground, with the waste picker community increasingly empowered and driving necessary change with more agency and confidence.” #collectiveaction #collectiveimpact #collaboration

Congratulations Amino Tech, GCA winner of 2022, what a milestone!

Open Lab is not a dining table, it’s a kitchen With the Open Lab, HKRITA - The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel Limited and H&M Foundation bring together researchers and industry professionals to develop smart and sustainable ideas faster and into market-ready solutions. As Edwin Keh, CEO of HKRITA said: “When designing the Open Lab, we envisioned it as a kitchen, not a dining room. Here, ongoing research and industry challenges come together, inviting partners to collaborate and create solutions. It’s not a place to be served finished ideas, but a space for co-creation and problem-solving.” Come join our kitchen! https://lnkd.in/gNV-FSyX #fashioninnovation #fashiontech

We are honoured to have been an official nominator for The Earthshot Prize this year! Now you can meet the extraordinary 2024 finalists. These inspiring, global innovators are changing the game in ways that will impact all of us! In November, five of these finalists will receive a £1 million prize to scale their groundbreaking climate and environmental solutions. All of this year’s finalists will receive technical support and access to The Earthshot Prize’s network of global partners to amplify their solutions and impact. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eBsM9KGV #EarthshotPrize

The theme of this year’s Climate Week in NYC was “It’s time”, underscoring the urgency for climate investment and action. Our colleagues Charlotte Brunnström, Maria Bystedt and Elin Hallerby have returned from an intense and inspiring week - here are their impressions and 5 key takeaways: 👉 Time to process the data:  With cutting-edge technology and AI, we now have unprecedented opportunities to gather the crucial information needed to drive impactful action. Now there is a critical need for better tools and frameworks to turn the data insights into actionable, transformative change. 👉 Systemic change through collaboration:  There’s an urgent need to adopt systemic solutions that bring in the blind spots around inequality and poverty to ensure that we meet our climate ambition. Too many organisations are still working in silos; it’s time to break down the barriers and embrace shared visions, common agendas, and transparency. Together, we can achieve so much more. 👉 Holistic approach: We need to balance planetary boundaries with social and economic needs. A just transition and thriving communities are crucial for companies survival, so they need to be a positive agent of change. 👉 Policies: When policies are updated to support new goals, they often have ripple effects and can drive significant changes across multiple sectors. 👉 Innovative funding: When traditional funding sources may not be sufficient or willing to take the risks associated with new technologies, innovative funding for decarbonisation is pivotal. By leveraging innovative funding strategies, we can accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy, with economic models that take into consideration social and economic needs, and mitigate the impacts of climate change. #nyclimateweek #ClimateAction

“There is a need for a paradigmatic shift in investment strategies, where community driven change is key. Systems change requires that the primary actors co-create the solutions together with proximate leaders who have lived experience of the challenges at hand.” H&M Foundation’s Program Director Maria Bystedt participated in a panel organised by our partner Catalyst 2030 during the United Nations General Assembly Week in New York. The panel explored the role of impact ecosystems for systemic change, and Maria shared her experience of working in cross sectoral partnerships through our Collective Impact strategy. She argued that donors need to be involved in the mindset shift, and apply patient long-term funding for systems collaborations that look at the big picture holistically rather than focusing on isolated aspects.

Nine Indian startups awarded to boost inclusive circularity. Meet the winners of "Techtonic - Innovations for Circular Economy". These innovative solutions drive inclusive circularity by turning waste into value while also creating social inclusion. Congratulations Microbeworks Scientific, NovoEarth, Go Do Good, CanvaLoop, Sunbird Coconut Leaf Straws, Bintix, Banofi Leather, KOSHA.ai and Angirus® IND! We look forward to following your journey ahead. The innovation challenge is run by Social Alpha and backed by H&M Foundation through our multipartner initiative Saamuhika Shakti. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/d3XYb2D4 #inclusivecircularity

"The fact that Open Lab is already receiving recognition in this category is a hugely promising sign of future success and a stronger, more interconnected industry that can tackle problems that unquestionably benefit a collaborative approach.”  /Christiane Dolva Törnberg, Strategy Lead H&M Foundation After being open for merely a week the Open Lab is earning recognition. Congratulations! HKRITA - The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel Limited ITMF - International Textile Manufacturers Federation #fashioninnovation #openlab

Research shows that children with disabilities are: - 49% more lilkely to never attend school - 41% more likely to feel disciminated - 51% more likely to feel unhappy Together with with over 300 individuals and 9 organizations our partner UNICEF has developed a first ever toolkit addressing stigma and discrimination toward children and youth with disabilities. The toolkit will serve as a vital resource for UNICEF's Social and Behaviour Change experts and programme specialists, government officials, organizations of persons with disabilities, civil society organizations, youth networks, and even families of children with disabilities. The aim is to ensure a stigma free society where every child is protected, valued and empowered. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dR7fNbPs UNICEF Sweden Photo credit: © UNICEF/UN0425712/Sokol