At Yonder, we place a lot of emphasis on environment, social, and governance (ESG). The S in ESG lies close to the heart of our company and employees. Each quarter, new initiatives are brought forward, and the leadership team votes on which to support as a company. Plus, there are quite a number of projects that the employees run to improve the situation of those less fortunate. This is why our Managing Director, Daniel Lar, and Andreea Comsa are also part of the ESG team of Total Specific Solutions, the operating group to which Yonder belongs.
Romania has quickly developed a generation of well-educated professionals in the IT world, as well as many other professions (finance, medicine, education, etc.), and it is one of the fastest-growing economies in the EU. Yet, some parts of the country are not that well-developed, especially the rural areas. And Yonder colleagues are aware that these regions can benefit from social support. We believe these efforts contribute not only to the projects we support but also to the spirit of Yonder as a collective. Focusing on social initiatives unites us as employees and helps us develop empathy.
Social is also about activities specifically for our employees—activities for well-being, growth, or certain groups within the company. Just as we as a collective like to help others, Yonder wants to create a safe, inviting, and inspirational work environment where employees can grow professionally and personally.
Our community and employee commitments in the three quarters of 2024
Education – Nurturing Creative Minds
Yonder has sponsored the “Grow, Read, Live” literary contest for middle school students from rural areas, allowing them to explore their imagination through storytelling. The contest will also be expanded to other schools, and we are looking for more ways to help the children attending them. We chose this engagement as children’s education is one of our primary pillars.
Community – Families in need
In January, we continued to support families in disadvantaged areas through our long-standing partner, Homes of Hope. We provided firewood for 25 families, ensuring warmth during the cold season, and supplied basic groceries. This initiative reflects our dedication to making a positive difference in people’s lives and contributing to the well-being of our community.
Community – Yonder runners
Colleagues from our Cluj and Iasi locations embraced challenges such as long-distance running. Here, a run was organized for the benefit of vulnerable children. Plus, these activities foster teamwork among company employees.
Employees – Technical Education
For two days, people from different countries and continents gathered in the Yonder offices in Cluj and Iași to push the boundaries of technology, collaboration, and creativity. This hackathon was not a competition but a journey of growth, resilience, and breakthroughs. The teams investigate new technologies to see if they can solve the challenges of clients and users.
More than 220 people tested the boundaries and technologies to create prototypes of new solutions. On Saturday afternoon, the participants presented 50 projects at Final Demos.
Employees – International Women’s Day
Each year, on March 8th, Yonder celebrates International Women’s Day. We express our appreciation and gratitude for the women who help shape our community through a special event created just for them. This year, we met for “Breakfast and something sweet.” Yonder is ahead of the international curve of women in technical and (top) leadership roles, and we work hard so women within the company can achieve successful careers next to family obligations.
Employees – Diversity across Generations
We value the well-being and emotional health of our team members, and for many years, we have YonderWell, a program that focuses on unique well-being experiences for colleagues. These YonderWell events address various areas such as sports, nutrition, parenting, finances, and emotional wellness.
Our first session of 2024 featured insightful discussions led by Raluca Anton, a highly respected Romanian relational therapist, psychologist, and esteemed author with international training. We explored diverse perspectives and experiences across generations, building on our similarities and accepting differences.
Employees – Yonder Continuous Learning and Development
We offer a wide range of development opportunities for colleagues to explore. We prioritize each colleague’s development. Thus, we are continuously evolving our learning and development curriculum so it remains relevant and up-to-date.
In Q1, we successfully completed a unique program for Yonder leaders, ‘Leading Hybrid.’ In the post-COVID era, this program addressed the need to sustain managers in acquiring and implementing a new way of leading hybrid teams.
Education – Empowering the Next Generation
Every year, Yonder engages in initiatives and collaboration programs with universities to empower the next generation of professionals. We not only participate in various university-organized activities but also open our doors to student visits. The primary goal is to familiarize them with an actual work environment and allow them to interact with professionals. These initiatives strengthen the ties between Yonder and the academic community while contributing to shaping future professionals.
Community – Building hope, one home at a time
Together with Homes Of Hope, we provided a new home for a family that lost theirs in a fire. Although the house lacks utilities, it symbolizes a fresh start and a beacon of hope for the family of nine.
Education – Books and Supplies for Children
This summer, we collected books, games, and school supplies for kindergartens and schools in rural areas within our Yonder community. With our donations, the educational facilities could enrich their libraries and provide essential resources, giving the children a better chance to succeed.
Community – Cooking for Charity
This is a Yonder tradition and one of our regular events. During this edition of Cooking for Charity, we raised €3,500, which Yonder tripled. The funds will support building a house for a child with epidermolysis bullosa, helping brothers battling leukemia and adjusting to autism, and constructing a campus for children with oncological diseases.
Community – Chess for Change
Empowering rural youth by supporting the Rotary Club Copou’s chess tournament. We provided free participation for 100 underprivileged children. The event, held in Iași, combined competition with charity, offering prizes and scholarships to encourage young talents.
Education – Phoenix Robotics Team
We sponsored the Phoenix Robotics Team with a donation of €1,000, and the team’s effort paid off. They have qualified to enter the international competition in Chicago.
Education – Creativity
There was this wonderful Boovie® International Book Trailer Festival in Iasi this summer, which we co-sponsored. It is an educational exercise intended to inspire students to read for the pleasure of reading. Students have to be creative and make a trailer! What is a trailer? It is a short video that captures the essence of a book they’ve read in cinematic language.
Community – Sharing knowledge
Yonder’s Security Team hosted an interactive cybersecurity, data protection, and fraud prevention session at Casa Filip. This is a boarding house for patients with cancer while they follow their treatment. These people are vulnerable and often the target of hackers and dubious schemes. So, our security team offered to volunteer and create awareness so the patients could focus on getting better instead of being victimized by cybercriminals.
If you want to learn more, please fill out the contact form, and we will connect you with the appropriate colleagues.
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