SZUNO

SZUNO was established in 2012 within the Igazgyöngy Foundation’s initiative in Told, a village in one of Hungary’s most impoverished regions. The enterprise focuses on crafting unique gym bags, employing local residents struggling with generational poverty, thus providing them with stable income and valuable job skills.

SZUNO’s mission emphasizes community empowerment through sustainable employment, particularly targeting those with minimal formal education. By integrating these individuals into their business model, SZUNO not only contributes to economic development but also enhances the social structure of the area, turning local cultural elements into unique product features that resonate in the marketplace.

Decathlon

Decathlon Group in 2022: 1751 stores around the world, and a presence in 72 territories globally (59 retail, 3 production only, 10 franchise). Decathlon Group in 2022: 1751 stores around the world, and a presence in 72 territories globally (59 retail, 3 production only, 10 franchise).The company is renowned for its commitment to sustainability and promoting sports by providing affordable sporting goods. Decathlon has a long-standing tradition of innovation and efficiency in product development and retail management.

The Partnership between SZUNO and Decathlon

Initiated in 2021, the partnership between SZUNO and Decathlon stemmed from a sports event hosted by the Igazgyöngy Foundation. It led to the creation of a unique gym bag adorned with children’s drawings, manufactured by SZUNO and retailed th

rough Decathlon’s network. These gym bags are distinguished in Decathlon's product line as the sole items produced by a social enterprise.

SZUNO, operating out of Told, Hungary, takes on the manufacturing, creating local jobs and fostering regional development. Decathlon handles sales, offering these products in 10 Hungarian stores and online. This collaboration effectively mergessocial enterprise values with corporate distribution and marketing strategies.

The ongoing relationship underscores a commitment to long-term impact, marrying SZUNO’s mission with Decathlon’s global reach to set a standard for partnerships between social enterprises and multinational corporations. The collaboration has brought a level of stability to both the manufacturing processes and sales that was previously unimaginable, and has also increased the visibility of the social enterprise. 

The Impact

• $32.500 net revenue generated for SZUNO in 2023 from the sale of 2776 gym bags, underpinning the financial viability of the social enterprise model.
• Since the beginning of the project, 8 seamstresses have worked on cutting, sewing, and stringing the gym bags, while a total of 9 employees participated in tagging and labeling.
• The partnership increased the visibility of the social enterprise.

“Even within a large multinational corporation, fantastic things can emerge from individual initiatives. This project originated from an idea of a Decathlon employee, and the excellent quality of the product and the positive social message quickly convinced the company's leadership that it was worth collaborating with SZUNO. We believe that if there is openness and humility on both sides, two organizations can work as equal partners in collaboration, even if one is a small social enterprise and the other is a multinational corporation.”               

Dorottya Marosváry, Head of Communications, Igazgyöngy Foundation

“It’s great that we could play a role in job creation with this business partnership. Our collaboration with SZUNO is an excellent example that there is a way out of deep poverty, even in one of the poorest regions of Hungary."                            

Marianna Gulyás, Customer Journey Leader, Decathlon Hungary