28 Jan 2025
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4 min read
For the second consecutive year, we're proud to be a certified 1% for the Planet member and part of a global movement of businesses committing to donate 1% of revenue to environmental and social causes. This straightforward idea has the potential for immense impact, and that simplicity resonates with us at Significa.
Whether designing an interface or building a product, we strive to approach everything with empathy, compassion, and purpose. Like most people, we want to do impactful work. This same ethos guided us to become a 1% for the Planet member in 2023. It's a natural extension of how we view our work, values, and world.
Rediscover why we joined 1% For the Planet in the first place and how Smart Shelter Foundation is helping communities build safer.
Throughout 2024, we continued to support Smart Shelter Foundation, whose work empowers vulnerable communities in earthquake-prone areas to build safe, sustainable housing solutions. We contributed through financial donations and in-kind support, including a rebrand and a new website to better engage donors and tell their stories.
Our collaboration has been about more than just financial contributions; it's been an opportunity to connect with a cause that reflects our values. Our team members who worked on the Smart Shelter Foundation project were greatly satisfied to know that their efforts made a tangible, life-saving difference.
“We are very grateful for Significa's unwavering support and dedication to our mission. Their deep understanding of our vision has brought our story to life through a beautiful new branding and website. The team's remarkable skill, creativity, and commitment have been invaluable, and we are truly thankful for their partnership. Together, we are making a real impact in creating a greener and safer world for all.”
Martijn Schildkamp and Tessa van Weelie
Smart Shelter Foundation
Part of the magic of 1% for the Planet is its flexibility in how businesses meet — and even surpass — their 1% commitment. In-kind donations allow teams to engage more deeply with their chosen causes, fostering meaningful connections and reinforcing the sense of purpose within the company.
“Working on the Smart Shelter Foundation's new website has been a fulfilling journey from day one. Tessa and Martijn are super nice and have been a joy to work with, and the collaboration within the team has been amazing. There's something truly motivating about designing to help others — it gives every decision a deeper sense of purpose. I’m really proud of what we’ve created together, and I hope it reflects the passion and care that went into it.”
Teresa Araújo
Designer at Significa
Last year, we also expanded our impact by supporting two new partner organisations our team chose to reflect local and international priorities.
Rewilding Portugal focuses on restoring biodiversity and reviving ecosystems in northern Portugal in ways that benefit both nature and local communities. Their efforts align with our belief in creating solutions that balance ecological and human needs. For example, recently, they have provided strong foundations in the south of the Douro River for the return of Iberian wolves, an iconic predator in this landscape whose numbers had been decreasing for years.
“Enhancing connectivity with other populations in Portugal and Spain is vital to its long-term survival. It is essential that wolves arriving in and living in the area find conditions that encourage them to settle, form packs, and breed.”
Sara Aliácar
Head of Conservation at Rewilding Portugal
Light Humanity brings renewable energy to underserved communities across Africa, Latin America, and Europe. Their projects have provided solar energy solutions to thousands, replacing harmful kerosene lamps and improving quality of life. For instance, in the Brazilian Amazon, they have distributed solar lamps to over 1,000 families, impacting more than 5,000 individuals — Graziette is one of them — and preventing approximately 3,870 tons of CO₂ emissions.
Being a 1% for the Planet member is more than financial contributions; it's about embedding environmental and social responsibility into our work culture. It reminds us that businesses have the power to make meaningful change, not just through donations but through intentional action and engagement.
As we've grown as a company, so has our sense of responsibility. Joining 1% for the Planet was one way to put that belief into action, helping us align our values with our work and amplifying our impact far beyond the walls of our office.
As 2025 unfolds, our commitment to 1% for the Planet remains a core part of our approach to social and environmental responsibility. We're excited to continue supporting causes like Smart Shelter Foundation, Rewilding Portugal, and Light Humanity while exploring new contributing opportunities.
This journey is about more than fulfilling a pledge; it’s about acting with integrity and purpose, finding ways to grow as a company while making a meaningful impact on people and the planet.
We're looking forward to what lies ahead and invite you to explore how businesses can lead with purpose. Every effort counts; together, we can create a more sustainable future.
Alec Norton
Operations Manager
At first sight, Alec is as English as you can get, but no one has ever seen him drink tea, so lately, we have been wondering. He always has this cool and chill vibe around him unless Arsenal is playing. He's an Englishman in Porto and the Operations Manager at Significa.
Alec Norton
Operations Manager
27 February 2024
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2 min read
Alec Norton
Operations Manager
13 February 2024
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5 min read
Teresa Araújo
Designer