On May 19, 2026, the Veolia Foundation celebrated youth engagement and innovation by presenting the 2026 Student Solidarity Awards (Prix de la Solidarité Étudiante). This 18th edition, marked by an exceptional surge in applications, honored three student projects delivering high-impact solutions.
More candidates, an expanded jury
In close partnership with the Human Resources Department of Veolia's France Zone, the 2026 edition achieved great success, seeing a 70% increase in applications compared to the previous year. This is a clear demonstration of the dynamism of student association life and the strength of their mobilization against the urgent challenges of our time.
In addition to the diversity of academic profiles (mostly represented by business at 33.3% and engineering at 31.5%), the core themes of the initiatives reflect today's major humanitarian and environmental priorities: 53.7% of the projects operate in the field of development aid, 25.9% target environmental and biodiversity protection, and 20.4% focus on social cohesion and employment.
As a new feature this year, the final jury—which met on April 14 for a pitch session with the 10 finalists—included two members from Veoliaforce. This network of volunteer Veolia employees contributes time, energy, and expertise to support projects backed by the Foundation.
Three High-Impact Winners
Jury Prize
Semeurs Association (École 3A Rennes)
The ReAccion project aims to preserve the biodiversity of the Chèze-Canut peatland in Saint-Thurial by building a raised wooden boardwalk to limit erosion and raise public awareness. This local initiative brings together an intercultural solidarity collective of 19 people for three weeks, consisting of 5 French students, 5 young people from Paraguay, and 9 employees in social reintegration programs. The award was presented by Jean-François Nogrette, CEO of the France Zone & Special Waste Europe, alongside the project's Veolia mentor, Tiphaine Deas.
Jury Prize
PEPPS Association (Chimie ParisTech - PSL)
With Eau'bjectif MADA 2026, the association is deploying a gravity-fed water supply system (including a 17 m³ reservoir and public standpipes) as well as school latrines to secure access to drinking water in the village of Anosivolo, Madagascar. The initiative directly benefits 110 households (680 residents) and relies on local training and a 3-year follow-up period to guarantee its long-term sustainability. The award was presented by Romain Torres, Human Resources Director of the France Zone, in the presence of Marianne Ighilahriz (Corporate Relations Manager at Chimie ParisTech) and the Veolia mentor, Antoine Bonnet.
Public Choice Award
Association Avenir Vert Solidaire (AVS)
This food autonomy project through aquaponics, led by students from several universities (Aix-Marseille, Paris-Saclay, Institut Agro Montpellier, UPJV), sets up aquaponic farms within orphanages in Benin to combat childhood nutritional deficiencies. By relying on a circular fish/plant ecosystem and training young people in agroecology, the project heavily captured public interest, securing nearly a third of the 3,800 votes cast. The trophy was presented by Dinah Louda, President of the Selection Committee and Board Member of the Foundation, accompanied by Francesca Petrella (Professor at Aix-Marseille University) and the mentor, Thierry Vandevelde.
By combining financial grants with mentorship from Veolia employees, the Foundation does not just reward ideas: hand in hand with universities and the driving forces of tomorrow, it builds concrete solutions for a more sustainable and unified world.
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Photos © Christophe Daguet