Sustainability at Brainify
In Brainify we are commited to sustainable development.
Sustainable development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The UN has established 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), addressing issues such as poverty eradication, health promotion, and combating climate change. Below is an overview of how Brainify operates sustainably across Norway and Bangladesh, guided by the UN’s SDGs.
Goal 1: No poverty
All our employees in Norway and Bangladesh earn above the average salary in their respective countries—approximately 30% above the national average in Norway and 500% above in Bangladesh. These competitive wages contribute to higher tax revenues, increased local consumption, and reduced poverty in Bangladesh.
In addition to salaries, Brainify offers insurance schemes for employees and their families in both countries.
Instead of gifting wine or chocolates to Norwegian customers during the holidays, we allocate funds to local aid projects in Bangladesh. These initiatives include providing sewing machines to women in rural areas, enabling them to earn a living by repairing used clothing.
Goal 2: Zero hunger
In 2019, 9.7% of Bangladesh’s population was undernourished. By redirecting holiday gift budgets to aid projects, Brainify supports local efforts to combat hunger in Bangladesh.
Goal 3: Good health and well-being
Brainify ensures sick leave policies for employees in case of personal or family illness and encourages adherence to vaccination programs. Employees in both Norway and Bangladesh are given time off for vaccinations, including COVID-19 shots.
In Norway, we provide group life insurance and, in some cases, treatment insurance. In Bangladesh, all employees have health and life insurance coverage.
Goal 4: Quality education
In Norway, we’ve hosted students for work placements and hired through NAV’s rehabilitation programs.
In Bangladesh, where school attendance rates have significantly improved since 2010, Brainify has contributed to building schools in the past. Moving forward, Brainify Bangladesh aims to develop internship and work experience programs for university students.
Goal 5: Gender equality
Brainify hires based on competence and suitability, irrespective of gender.
All employees, regardless of gender, are encouraged to take full parental leave. Additionally, Brainify celebrates diversity by marking Pride annually, including social media campaigns and adjustments to our branding.
Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation
Our Office Manager in Dhaka is contractually responsible for ensuring that suppliers minimize environmental impact, particularly regarding groundwater pollution. This applies to office landlords, equipment suppliers, and other vendors.
Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy
While we do not own our office buildings, we encourage landlords to choose green energy solutions. We actively minimize electricity use during off-hours by turning off lights and ventilation systems on weekends.
Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth
Brainify ensures fair wages and transparent salary structures, significantly exceeding national averages in both Norway and Bangladesh. This contributes to economic growth and equitable value creation.Our leadership in Bangladesh ensures fair pricing for services from transport, cleaning, and security providers, and actively prevents child labor or human trafficking in the supply chain.
Goal 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
We participate in forums for Nordic companies in Bangladesh, hosted by the Norwegian Embassy in Dhaka. Through these collaborations, we aim to drive infrastructure improvements and foster sustainable industry practices.
Goal 10: Reduced inequalities
Brainify works to reduce inequalities across countries and cultures by ensuring fair distribution of value among leaders, employees, and between Norwegian and Bangladeshi entities.
Our commitment to inclusivity extends to celebrating diversity and advocating for equality in all forms. All employees share a single open office layout, emphasizing equality regardless of role or experience.
Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities
In Bangladesh, our offices are strategically located along Dhaka’s metro railway line, reducing travel emissions. In Norway, we have offices in the center of Oslo, to shorten commute times for employees. All our offices are accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Goal 12: Responsible consumtion and production
As part of our Eco-Lighthouse certification in Norway, Brainify is committed to waste sorting and tracking our carbon footprint.
We prioritize locally sourced, sustainable, and durable products for merchandise and promotional materials, such as using wooden chessboards instead of disposable items like balloons or pens.
Goal 13: Climate action
Brainify implements Eco-Lighthouse guidelines in Norway and extends these principles to Bangladesh. We favor digital meetings over travel, minimize flights, and select airlines with eco-friendly fleets.
Our IT solutions are designed to have minimal carbon footprints, relying on environmentally conscious cloud providers.
Goal 14: Life below water
Brainify avoids giveaways that contribute to plastic pollution. For example, we opt for glass bottles over plastic when providing water for employees.
Goal 15: Life on land
We ensure our suppliers use sustainable materials, avoiding rainforest timber and animal-tested products.
Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions
Brainify fosters a flat organizational structure where every employee has a voice. We maintain a strict anti-corruption policy, especially critical in Bangladesh, with regular audits to ensure compliance.
Goal 17: Partnershop for the goals
Collaboration is at the core of Brainify’s mission. By fostering partnerships across Norway and Bangladesh, we contribute to sustainable development. Our ownership model ensures that wealth created remains fairly distributed within each country, promoting local growth and reducing inequalities.
This model demonstrates that expertise and innovation transcend geographic boundaries, proving that valuable IT solutions can come from anywhere in the world.