It may not be obvious why a web design agency would want to have a social impact. Indeed, there are many design agencies out there that produce stunning websites that don’t have a social impact. But at Circular Design, we want everything we do to have a positive impact on the world around us. That means going above and beyond ‘net zero’ or the ‘do no harm’ principle and instead striving to be as generous as possible to the planet and people on it.
This mission is baked into the core of Circular Design. We’re a registered non-profit which means there are no shareholders – and any profit we make is governed by what’s called an ‘asset lock’. This means that throughout the lifespan of our organisation – including the moment when we might wind-up our operations – all profits must be spent according to our stated objectives. Here’s what they look like:
“To identify, develop and deliver innovative solutions to fundraising; raising awareness of the UN SDGs to businesses, charities, other bodies and the general public; providing financial and non-financial support to charities, nonprofits and social enterprises that support people, animals or the planet; to foster networking and cooperation with actors working for similar goals and purposes.”
As a web design agency, we’re also doing a lot more to further our social impact. To support charities and nonprofits to have the best digital presence possible, we offer discounts of up to 40% on web design services. This comes on top of our already incredibly reasonable prices. We’re convinced that every nonprofit deserves a website that will help supercharge its missions. That’s why we specialise in designing impact-oriented websites that are affordable and sustainable for nonprofits.
We’re also extremely conscious of the impacts the digital sector has on the planet and we want to be leading part of a positive, green transition where the internet and digital services can be a force for good. That’s why all the websites we host are powered by renewable energy, made possible by our hosting provider Prostack. Prostack is a climate-positive UK-based company that uses green energy and runs highly efficient data centres to minimise the impact on the environment.
But we don’t stop there. Websites still generate carbon emissions every time someone visits one. To combat this, in addition to our green hosting, we work with the highest-standard FairTrade and certified carbon offsetting projects to make sure our websites are carbon positive. When you visit a site by Circular Design, you can be sure that this website is helping to reduce, not squander, carbon emissions. To do this, we donate to our partner, the FairClimateFund, who work with community projects around the world that sequester carbon. From biogas cooking equipment in India to landscape regeneration projects in Burkina Faso, these projects are giving communities a helping hand when it comes to stewarding the local and global ecosystem.
Another key part of GSF Creation’s work is about employability. As we grow as an agency, we’re committed to creating job opportunities for people on the move, such as refugees and asylum-seekers. Thanks to our flexible model of work which can happen from anywhere on the planet, we’re building a team of expert web developers who can be a part of our mission. We’re already a team from over 7 countries: the United Kingdom, Germany, Afghanistan, Syria, Switzerland, Finland, and Ukraine. By working with Circular Design, you’re also helping support brilliant developers rebuilding their lives in new countries.
And we’re not stopping there! Over the coming years, we have big plans! From awarding grants to grassroots charities to expanding into support for wider digital communications, we are just bursting with ideas to help nonprofits and businesses go to the next level.
So, if you want to be part of our network, get in touch and let’s discuss how we can work together to build better websites and a better planet.
