Shelly Europe Ltd. is now an official member of the Bulgarian Network of the UN Global Compact, having joined the international initiative at the end of 2023. The company sent an official letter to the UN Secretary-General, committing to support the Ten Principles for responsible business practices in the areas of human rights, labor standards, the environment, and anti-corruption.
Shelly Europe is a subsidiary of the Bulgarian IoT technology company Shelly Group, which creates automated smart devices with real impact—on how users consume energy and how businesses manage their resources more responsibly. By joining the Bulgarian Network of the UN Global Compact (UNGC), Shelly Europe is placing even greater emphasis on sustainability as a strategic priority, not a supplementary policy.
Today, the Shelly brand doesn't just offer smart devices—it sets a model where innovation, energy efficiency, and responsible consumption go hand in hand. ESG principles are embedded in the development of smart devices, in relationships with employees and partners, and in the company’s vision for business growth.
On the occasion of Earth Day (April 22), we spoke with Svetozar Iliev, Managing Director of Shelly Europe EOOD and Chief Financial Officer of Shelly Group SE, about what sustainability looks like in practice for the company—beyond promises, in real actions, data, and technology.
You launched a new initiative for Earth Day. Tell us more about it.
Our campaign is called “Earth Day” and it is organized within the ecosystem of our Shelly Smart Control App. It's a joint initiative with our strategic partner Zendure, aimed at raising awareness about energy efficiency and encouraging responsible energy use.
In short, we invited all our customers to turn off their lights for one hour on April 22 using a specially configured scene in our mobile app. The initiative is fully integrated into the Shelly Smart Control App, enabling direct user participation and engagement.
Additionally, we offered exclusive discounts on Shelly energy monitoring devices that help users track and optimize their energy consumption long-term. Thanks to our partner, generous prizes will also be awarded to three participants.
The Earth Day campaign is a clear example of how technology, partnerships, and user engagement can come together to promote a more sustainable and responsible energy culture.
What does corporate sustainability mean for Shelly Europe? Why is it valuable for you to be part of the world’s largest sustainability initiative—the UN Global Compact?
The launch of our first Shelly device in 2018 marked the beginning of our journey toward more sustainable resource usage—through innovation in automation and smart homes/buildings. By integrating energy-efficient technologies and promoting sustainable consumption practices, our products help optimize energy usage and reduce environmental impact.
This benefits not only our customers—by lowering their energy bills—but also contributes to the global fight against climate change.
Sustainability is central to our long-term business strategy and daily operations. We enable our employees to grow, encourage diversity, and strive for continuous improvement to achieve our corporate goals.
What are your most significant sustainability initiatives?
We have set ambitious goals in three core areas:
1. Reducing our carbon footprint,
2. Increasing social responsibility, and
3. Establishing strong, transparent governance practices.
One of our key initiatives is our investment in renewable energy. Our new headquarters in Sofia holds a green energy certificate for 2024, as it is powered entirely by renewable sources. This contributes to lowering harmful emissions and ensures a healthy, safe working environment for our team.
We also emphasize international certification—we have already obtained three key ISO standards, guaranteeing quality, environmental responsibility, and information security. This is a strategic tool for Shelly’s sustainable development.
Social responsibility is another essential part of our approach. We promote diversity and inclusion, foster a culture of mutual respect, and actively support employee development through targeted training and leadership programs, including ongoing investments in managerial growth.
Beyond internal efforts, we work with external ESG consultants who help us implement best international practices in sustainability. We maintain high accountability and transparency, which builds trust with our partners and customers.
Which Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) do you prioritize?
We’ve identified four UN SDGs as top priorities:
· Goal 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy
· Goal 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
· Goal 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production
· Goal 13 – Climate Action
“Affordable and clean energy” directly reflects the core purpose of our products—intelligent device management and energy optimization. Shelly devices enable users to monitor, control, and automate their energy usage in real time, leading to significant savings and more responsible resource use. This makes energy efficiency both accessible and scalable.
“Industry, innovation, and infrastructure” is at the heart of our development vision. We create open-architecture, flexible products for both home and business use. In doing so, we contribute to sustainable technological infrastructure and support digital transformation across sectors.
“Responsible consumption and production” is embedded throughout our product lifecycle—from design and components to production and long-term software support. We aim to minimize waste, extend the lifespan of our devices, and reduce the need for frequent replacements—a cost-effective and environmentally responsible approach.
“Climate action” is supported through the end result of using our solutions. With better energy management, users can actively lower their carbon footprint. We believe that when millions of users adopt energy-efficient technologies, the cumulative impact on climate change is substantial.
For us, these goals are not just statements—they serve as real strategic guides in planning, product development, and our relationships with clients, partners, and employees. Sustainability is not an addition to business—it is its core.
How will Shelly Europe’s membership in the Bulgarian Network of the UN Global Compact impact the local business sector?
Our membership is a natural continuation of our commitment to sustainability, but it’s also a statement of intent to take an active role in transforming the Bulgarian business environment.
Through the Bulgarian network, we can contribute to building a more responsible, transparent, and innovative corporate culture on a national level.
Our presence allows us to share best practices in energy efficiency, automation, and resource management—areas in which Shelly has strong expertise. With real examples and sustainable tech solutions, we can inspire other companies to begin their ESG transformation and integrate sustainability into the core of their business models.
We believe that collaborative efforts among responsible companies are key to addressing the systemic challenges facing modern society—from climate change to social inequality.
