Álvaro Poch Riera
Universidad de Navarra
Isabel Rodriguez Tejedo
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With Jorigu acting in Barcelona (Spain) since 1924, some people with disabilities have an opportunity to design their very own socks. In collaboration with the Catalan Down Syndrome Association, Jorigu holds some campaigns to increase awareness of people with DS and give them a feel of what it is like working as a designer. In this sense, Jorigu is helping to achieve the following UN goals: Number 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and Number 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
Jorigu allows different Catalan Down Syndrome Association people to design some socks. If they want, Jorigu will try to make them as similar as possible to the drawings they made. After that, Jorigu would give a pair to the designer so that he could have an excellent memory and then sell to their regular customers those unique socks and explain the story behind them.
Jorigu would only keep a small portion of the money to cover expenses, and the benefit is later gifted to the Catalan Down Syndrome Association. Jorigu workers state that people who design socks are very grateful for a couple of days doing an activity they would otherwise never do.
These campaigns are usually held around the 21st of March (international Down Syndrome Day) and for a limited period. Jorigu does not try to sustain only the sales from those socks, nor tries to sell them all year round, but instead tries to agree every year with the association, contributing to a more inclusive society free from discrimination.
Jorigu is a company that was born in 1924 as a textile company, and a bit after, specialized in socks. Their philosophy has been the same for many years, but since the owner knew that one of her best friends would have a baby with Down Syndrome, she immediately knew she had to do something. She started conversations with the Catalan Down Syndrome Association with the help of her friend, and both parties were happy that such collaboration would occur. On 21st March, the International Day of People with DS, we are encouraged to put a different colored and patterned sock on each foot; therefore, a sock-oriented initiative would make sense.
Regarding her business strategy, although she knew she could not change entirely how the company developed its activities and the ideas of the employees working on it, Sophie said: “I decided to give it (Jorigu) a solidarity and inclusion touch.” Furthermore, “I only want to do something that most companies can do, help others and raise awareness on people with Down Syndrome’s capabilities.”
In summary, Jorigu's innovation has positively impacted multiple fronts. It benefits people with Down Syndrome by allowing them to express their creativity and feel a sense of accomplishment, something that may not have been possible for them before. It also supports the community and raises awareness about Down Syndrome, breaking stereotypes and promoting inclusivity. But focusing on the Sustainable Development Goals helps achieve Goals 8 and 10.
With Goal 8, Decent Growth and Economic Development, Jorigu improves targets 8.5 By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value as well as target 8.6 By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education, or training. Target 8.5 is measured by 8.5.1 Average hourly earnings of employees, by sex, age, occupation and persons with disabilities and 8.5.2 Unemployment rate by sex, age and persons with disabilities and target 8.6 by indicators 8.6.1 Proportion of youth (aged 15–24 years) not in education, employment or training. With the program that Jorigu has implemented and has been mentioned before, all these indicators from the SDGs improve.
On the other hand, with Goal 10, Reduce inequalities within and between countries, Jorigu improves target 10.2 By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or financial or another status. Target 10.2 is measured by 10.2.1 Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities.
On the one hand, it helps to establish Jorigu as a socially responsible and community-minded business. This can help to increase customer loyalty and attract new customers who are looking to support companies that make a positive impact on society. Additionally, it helps to create a positive image of Jorigu and can be used in marketing and branding efforts.
Secondly, it creates a unique selling point for Jorigu's products, as the special socks designed by people with Down Syndrome are only available in some places. This can help to increase demand for Jorigu's products and differentiate them from competitors.
Additionally, this campaign can also be a way of creating a little new revenue stream for the company as they are not trying to sustain their business solely on the sales of the unique socks, but instead making an agreement with the association every year, which allows them to maintain a sustainable business model while still making a positive impact on the community.
Lastly, collaborating with the Catalan Down Syndrome Association allows Jorigu to build relationships with the local community and opens up new opportunities for collaboration and partnership in the future.
Firstly, SDG 10 helps to promote inclusivity and break stereotypes about people with Down Syndrome. By providing an opportunity for individuals with Down Syndrome to showcase their creativity and abilities, Jorigu is helping to change societal perceptions about what people with Down Syndrome are capable of. This can help to create a more inclusive and equitable society for people with Down Syndrome and other marginalized groups.
Moreover, it helps to raise awareness about Down Syndrome and support the local community. By partnering with the Catalan Down Syndrome Association and giving a portion of the proceeds from the unique socks to support the association's work, Jorigu is helping to raise awareness about Down Syndrome and support the local community. This can help to create a more supportive and inclusive society for people with Down Syndrome.
Furthermore, in SDG 8, the fact that a company gets to partner and work together on a project with a social association creates deeper links between Jorigu and the community of people who share some interest in the Catalan Down Syndrome Association.
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Sophie Riera Delarra, CEO
