Social Impact at Zalando

Our Social Impact work is about supporting communities and addressing challenges that go beyond our daily business. We do this through volunteering, financial and in-kind support, and by driving long-term projects that tackle important issues in our industry and society.

We focus on three areas:

Innovation in fashion

We aim to raise awareness for new ideas and solutions such as innovative materials, circular design, and technology that can help make fashion more sustainable and inclusive.

Community empowerment

We address relevant societal themes such as democracy or inequality within the communities in our 25 markets. We aim to create positive change through direct collaboration and by sharing our knowledge and resources.

Humanitarian support

We provide targeted help in times of crisis, such as floods, earthquakes, or conflicts. We use our networks and resources to offer support quickly and effectively.

Over time, we have learned that long-term partnerships are essential for lasting change. That’s why we prioritise strategic collaboration with NGOs and community partners over one-time donations, focusing on areas where we can make a meaningful contribution.

To achieve our objectives, we focus on three key pillars: Strategic Projects, Donations and Volunteering. Find out more about them below!

Donations

Alongside our broader social impact activities, we contribute every year through targeted financial and in-kind donations. We focus on initiatives where our contributions create tangible value and build on long-term, trusted partnerships — for example, with the German Red Cross, humedica, and the Institut Français de la Mode.

Volunteering

Since the official launch of Zalando’s corporate volunteering programme in 2015 with our partner vostel.de, thousands of employees have contributed their time, skills, and passion to projects ranging from mentoring youth and teaching digital skills to supporting environmental initiatives and animal welfare. To date, Zalando has partnered with over 150 non-profit organisations, supported 460+ projects, and logged more than 30,000 volunteering hours.

Employees receive two paid volunteering days per year, empowering them to engage in causes they care about, while also strengthening teamwork and personal development. Activities are always organised within a 50-kilometre radius of Zalando’s offices or warehouses, ensuring direct and relevant local impact.