Mango Partners with UNHCR to Empower Refugee Women Through Education

Spanish fashion giant Mango continues to solidify its commitment to social responsibility, integrating it as a core strategic pillar within its operations. In a significant move, the company has forged a new partnership with UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency, an international body dedicated to supporting individuals displaced by conflict, persecution, or human rights violations. This collaboration aims to bolster the university education of refugee women through the renowned DAFI scholarship programme, a critical initiative set to provide support to approximately one hundred young women between 2025 and 2027.

The landmark agreement was formally signed by Mango CEO Toni Ruiz, Francesco Sciacca, Director General of UNHCR's Spanish Committee, and Jorge Olague, UNHCR's Director of Private Sector Partnerships. This marks the first time the Catalan-based company has collaborated with UNHCR on an educational project, with the overarching goal of significantly expanding access to tertiary education—a level currently attained by only 7% of young refugees globally. Under the terms of the agreement, Mango will fund a total of 96 scholarships: 69 full awards designed to cover the entirety of recipients' university studies, and an additional 27 scholarships specifically for the final year, intended to facilitate their transition into the professional labour market. The primary beneficiaries of this programme are concentrated in Asia, particularly Afghan and Rohingya women in India, as well as Afghan refugee women residing in Pakistan.

Toni Ruiz, Mango's CEO, underscored the company's aspirations, stating, "Mango aims to generate a positive impact in all the countries in which we operate. Through initiatives such as this, we want to recognise and support all women who do not have access to higher education and thus enable them to achieve greater autonomy and personal development, bringing about transformative change in their futures." Ruiz further highlighted Mango's internal commitment to female empowerment, noting, "Eight out of every ten people who work at Mango are women, and they represent 40% of our executive committee, thus reinforcing our commitment to female leadership."

This new collaboration is an integral component of Mango's broader social action strategy. Through this strategy, the company is committed to driving projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), fostering equality, and contributing to sustained social development. By acting as a transformative force within its sector, Mango seeks to amplify its positive impact beyond fashion manufacturing and retail, making tangible contributions to global social challenges.

Founded in 1984 by Isak Andic, Mango has grown into a global fashion powerhouse, operating in over 120 markets with an extensive retail network comprising more than 2,900 points of sale. According to its most recent financial disclosures, Mango reported a turnover of €1.728 billion in the first half of the current financial year, marking a robust 12% increase compared to the previous year. Looking ahead, the company has ambitious growth targets, expecting to achieve €4 billion in sales and expand its retail footprint by an additional 500 stores by the end of 2026.