Acting local: our commitment to communities through volunteering

As a self-taught software engineer, Pooria Morovati learned the ins and outs of his profession through a series of trials and errors. With a deep appreciation for the lessons learned, Pooria promised himself to be the coach he never had to his nephew, Ilia. "When Ilia turned eight, I noticed his interest in technology and seized the chance to teach him the basics of programming and robotics through a simplified drag-and-drop method," Pooria shares.

Fast forward several years, now a Senior Software Engineer at Zalando, he learned about the opportunity to volunteer in his field of expertise through the company. "I thought to myself, 'There are many more Ilias out there who have untapped potential and just need someone to help guide them'".

Like Pooria, thousands of Zalando employees have committed their time, energy, and knowledge to support individuals and organisations through our corporate volunteering programme. Since 2015, the programme is a key tool to foster a culture of giving back, offering employees a variety of ways to contribute to meaningful causes. Whether it's teaching coding, supporting marginalised communities, protecting the environment, or advocating for animal welfare, there are numerous volunteering opportunities tailored to every employee’s location and skill set.

Good for the community, good for us

Volunteering at Zalando is simple, inclusive, and accessible to employees across all locations, from headquarters to warehouses in Germany, as well as our tech hubs in Dortmund, Dublin, Stockholm, Helsinki, and Zurich. Over the last nine years, Zalando has supported more than 450 projects through partnerships with around 150 organisations. “To ensure we make a real impact on our local communities, all volunteering activities are conducted within a 50-kilometre radius of our offices or warehouses,” explains Lara Gesche, Senior Corporate Citizenship Manager.

Employees are offered two paid volunteering days per year, allowing them to connect with the community, develop new skills, and experience the personal fulfilment that comes from making a difference. Volunteering also fosters teamwork, as employees collaborate outside their usual work environment, strengthening bonds and a shared commitment to social responsibility. "Volunteering is a powerful way to deepen our connections with the communities around us, while instilling pride in our employees for working at a company that values social impact," adds Lara.

Ultimately, volunteering is a win-win for both the community and Zalando employees. As Pooria reflects on his experience, he humbly acknowledges, "Did I help them with my skills? I believe so. But in the end, the greatest benefit was mine. I learned how to teach, how to collaborate, how to be present when someone needs support. I believe that I became a more empathetic person after this experience”.