"The goal of this programme is to create more job opportunities within the Ingka group [owner of Ikea], for those looking for a better life after going through extreme situations of war, loss and violence in their lives," the company said in a statement.

Portugal is one of the countries that be covered by the programme, a company official confirmed to Lusa.

"Ikea Portugal is one of 30 markets in the group with concrete plans to support the integration of the refugee community, specifically in supporting employability," he said. "We are in dialogue with the institutions that are on the ground, namely the Portuguese Council for Refugees, in order to develop relevant and tangible actions."

The official added that the first initiatives are to be launched in the spring and summer of next year.

The group also aims to "increase the sales volume of products made by artisans", so creating "job opportunities for about 500 refugees, as well as Jordanian women, thus generating value for local communities on a larger scale," the company said.

In addition, the foundation associated with the group is to allocate 100 million euros in subsidies over the next five years for programmes that support refugees and communities to improve their conditions and become more independent.

According to organisers of the Global Refugee Forum, which is sponsored by the UN High Commission for Refugees and notes, the end of this "tumultuous decade" will see a record number of refugees: more than 25 million people worldwide.