DiVERGE

Promotion of social and economic inclusion: DiVERGE, a B-Corp certified company, believes that creating personalized goods deeply reaffirms an individual’s identity. Through its co-creation platform, the company empowers people to design customized sneakers that reflect their unique stories. This core mindset inspired the iMAGINE program which intends to act as a springboard for young people, aged 15 to 24, in accessing higher education pathways or qualified employment by improving their technical and soft skills.

The programs are supported by Portugal 2030 (started in 2024) and intend to reach 650 participants by 2027 (170 young people in the North, 220 in the Center, and 260 in Lisbon) of which approximately 106 will be covered by this financing (aprox. 16,3%). 

Promotion of access to quality education: offered entirely free of charge, the program provides 30 hours of specialised training in soft and entrepreneurial skills across 10 distinct modules, complemented by ongoing mentorship from a team of specialists. Throughout the initiative, participants develop their own sneakers, acquire practical, transferable skills that enhance their future prospects, and directly receive the proceeds from their sales. To sustain and scale this educational impact, DiVERGE directs 10% of its profits to the iMAGINE program and is formally committed to donating at least 5% of its team's time through annual pro-bono services.

Promotion of sustainable and efficient use of raw materials: DiVERGE counters the environmental waste generated by low-quality, mass-produced footwear by championing a circular and highly targeted manufacturing model. On the consumption side, the company uses only premium, long-lasting materials sourced from certified suppliers, such as Leather Working Group (LWG) gold-rated and OEKO-TEX® certified leathers. On the production side, the company operates an exclusively made-to-order system to eliminate unsold inventory and excess waste. Handcrafted locally in Portuguese family-owned workshops, its operations prioritize both an ethical working culture and a significantly reduced ecological footprint.

Promotion of social and economic inclusion: DiVERGE, a B-Corp certified company, believes that creating personalized goods deeply reaffirms an individual’s identity. Through its co-creation platform, the company empowers people to design customized sneakers that reflect their unique stories. This core mindset inspired the iMAGINE program which intends to act as a springboard for young people, aged 15 to 24, in accessing higher education pathways or qualified employment by improving their technical and soft skills.

The programs are supported by Portugal 2030 (started in 2024) and intend to reach 650 participants by 2027 (170 young people in the North, 220 in the Center, and 260 in Lisbon) of which approximately 106 will be covered by this financing (aprox. 16,3%). 

Promotion of access to quality education: offered entirely free of charge, the program provides 30 hours of specialised training in soft and entrepreneurial skills across 10 distinct modules, complemented by ongoing mentorship from a team of specialists. Throughout the initiative, participants develop their own sneakers, acquire practical, transferable skills that enhance their future prospects, and directly receive the proceeds from their sales. To sustain and scale this educational impact, DiVERGE directs 10% of its profits to the iMAGINE program and is formally committed to donating at least 5% of its team's time through annual pro-bono services.

Promotion of sustainable and efficient use of raw materials: DiVERGE counters the environmental waste generated by low-quality, mass-produced footwear by championing a circular and highly targeted manufacturing model. On the consumption side, the company uses only premium, long-lasting materials sourced from certified suppliers, such as Leather Working Group (LWG) gold-rated and OEKO-TEX® certified leathers. On the production side, the company operates an exclusively made-to-order system to eliminate unsold inventory and excess waste. Handcrafted locally in Portuguese family-owned workshops, its operations prioritize both an ethical working culture and a significantly reduced ecological footprint.