Second Step: Two LEINN entrepreneurs launch an initiative to give sneakers a second life
Second Step: Two LEINN entrepreneurs launch an initiative to give sneakers a second life
Second Step: Two LEINN entrepreneurs launch an initiative to give sneakers a second life
The project, developed by Alema Sáenz and Jon Peral, students of the Degree in Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation (LEINN) at the Business Faculty of Mondragon Unibertsitatea, has launched a pilot experience in Garbera with the support of the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa
University entrepreneurship continues to demonstrate its ability to generate real impact in society. This is the case of Second Step, an initiative promoted by Alema Sáenz and Jon Peral, students of the Degree in Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation (LEINN) at the Faculty of Business Studies of Mondragon Unibertsitatea, which seeks to extend the lifespan of sneakers through their collection, repair and reuse.
The project proposes a circular economy model based on the installation of collection points for used sneakers. Once collected, the footwear is classified to identify those pairs that can still enjoy a second life. These are repaired by local cobblers before being returned to the market, while those that cannot be reused are sent for recycling.
The initiative is supported by the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa and has launched a pilot experience in Garbera, making the territory a pioneer in the collection of footwear intended for repair and reuse.
Second Step is also an example of LEINN's educational model, which is based on learning by doing and developing real projects from day one. The initiative shows how an idea born in the classroom can evolve into a project with social, environmental and economic impact.
In addition to contributing to waste reduction and promoting more responsible consumption, the project incorporates an important social dimension by collaborating with local cobblers and donating part of the collected footwear to social organisations.
Over the coming months, the team will evaluate the results of the pilot experience in Garbera in order to validate the model and explore its possible expansion to other municipalities and territories.
The initiative highlights the potential of young entrepreneurship to provide innovative responses to current challenges and reinforces the role of the Faculty of Business Studies of Mondragon Unibertsitatea as an entrepreneurial learning ecosystem capable of promoting projects with real impact.