Between November 3 and December 24 2007, Ikea donated EUR1 for every soft toy sold in all its stores globally under the slogan "One Euro is a Fortune" to benefit UNICEF and Save the Children education projects in China and around the world.

"There was a great excitement about the Soft Toys Campaign this year," says Marianne Barner, head of Ikea Social Initiative and Children's Ombudsman. "All of the hard work of our co-workers, the great range of Soft Toys, and the fact that Euro 1 was being given to a good cause helped make this year a great success! Nearly Euro 4.2 million will go to children's education. That is an achievement."

Funds raised during the 2007 campaign totaled nearly EUR4.2 million; since 2003, the Soft Toy Campaign has raised EUR11 million. The 2007 Ikea Soft Toy Campaign will fund twelve education projects in Albania, Bangladesh, China, Cote d'Ivoire, India, Pakistan, Russia, Sierra Leone and Vietnam. Funds will support efforts including improving school facilities and access to water and toilets, and providing school benches, desks and educational supplies like books, pencils and writing pads for children and teachers.

Ikea's strategic partnerships with UNICEF and Save the Children's Fund contribute to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Equal access to education for all girls and boys and quality education in a child-friendly environment is the foundation. By ensuring access to education for children, it becomes possible to build the knowledge necessary to combat disease and eradicate poverty and hunger.

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