Since 1998, Veolia's Ecological Transformation Awards have recognized the most innovative final year research projects by students from around the world. Celebrated on December 4th, this 27th edition confirms the international reach of the competition and the Group's commitment to young talent.
A Record-Breaking 2025 Edition
With more than fifty applications received compared to 40 in 2024, 60% of which came from international sources, the 2025 Awards demonstrate growing interest in ecological transformation issues. Among the 52 applications, 20 finalists were selected to present their projects before a jury of professionals during the presentations in November. The Awards are now structured around four strategic pillars: Decarbonize, Regenerate, Depollute, and Improve Quality of Life.
The awards were presented by Isabelle Quainon, Veolia's Senior Vice-President Human Resources, Sébastien Daziano, Veolia's Senior Vice-President, Strategy, lnnovation & Development, Barbara Thierart-Perrin, Veolia's Senior Vice-President Innovation & Development, Didier Bove, Executive Vice President Transformation for Veolia's Water Technologies zone, and Caroline Geoffrois, Talent Acquisition Director, who praised this excellent, highly international edition as a strong reflection of the Veolia Group's expertise.
Multiple Objectives Serving Ecological Transformation
Beyond recognizing academic excellence, the Awards pursue three major objectives. They strengthen relationships between Veolia and higher education institutions worldwide, providing Group entities with a tool to develop partnerships with schools and universities. They also help increase the Group's visibility among recent graduates and introduce them to the diversity of careers it offers. . Finally, by fostering meetings between students and Veolia managers, they help identify and recruit talent to support ecological transformation.
The 2025 Winners
Each category recognized a winner during the December 4th ceremony at Veolia headquarters:
In the DEPOLLUTE category, Gabriela Rocha, a young Brazilian engineer who graduated from Universidade Federal Fluminense and École Polytechnique Universitaire de Savoie, proposed an innovative method based on Life Cycle Analysis to optimize urban solid waste management in Rio de Janeiro. Her approach would reduce CO₂ emissions by 60% and generate 471 GWh/year of electricity, covering the needs of nearly 594,000 people.
The DECARBONIZE award went to Matthieu Bougeard, a graduate of Arts et Métiers - ECOBS, who developed a method for evaluating the "environmental cost" of a power transformer. His study demonstrates that recovering latent heat results in a 67% reduction in this cost – value in euros - providing decision-makers with a simple and effective indicator for responsible choices.
In this same category, the jury also awarded a special recognition to Antonio Cubillo Martin, a young Spanish engineer studying at ICAI-Universidad Pontificia Comillas, who designed a green hydrogen production plan using excess photovoltaic energy from a farm in Toledo. His modular and replicable project generates 140 tons of green hydrogen per year with a 7-year return on investment.
The REGENERATE Award was presented to Gloria Tshitoko, from the Democratic Republic of Congo and a graduate of Université Lumière Lyon 2. He developed tools for detecting and monitoring fish habitats in intermittent rivers. His methodology combining drones, LiDAR, and hydraulic modeling contributes to preserving aquatic biodiversity in the face of climate change. The jury was particularly impressed by the high quality and scientific rigor he brought to his work.
Finally, in the IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE category, Cédric Peten, a Belgian bioengineer now working with Veolia's WaterTech zone, created a forest mapping tool using satellite hyperspectral imaging and artificial intelligence. This non-intrusive solution enables precise monitoring of biodiversity, ecosystem health, and carbon storage. The entire jury was impressed by his ability to make a complex subject more easily accessible.
A steadily growing international momentum
Launched in 1998, the competition's format has evolved to become the Ecological Transformation Awards, with new categories aligned with current environmental challenges and Veolia's strategy.
The Ecological Transformation Awards have thus established themselves as an essential event for young talent committed to ecological transition and a strategic lever for Veolia in its sourcing policy and attraction of innovative and committed profiles.
Valuable Rewards
Each winner receives a prize of 2,200 euros and benefits from a visit to a Veolia operational site. Their educational institution also receives a 3,000 euro grant from the apprenticeship tax, thereby strengthening ties between the Group and academic institutions.
Isabelle Quainon, Veolia's Senior Vice-President Human Resources :
This excellent 2025 edition, very international, increasingly resembles Veolia. It embodies our conviction that young people will invent and implement tomorrow's solutions: it's up to us to support them because they are the ones who will be game-changers.
Some key figures
20 finalists selected (vs. 16 in 2024)
52 applications received (+30% vs. 2024)
60% international applications
27 years of existence (since 1998)
Discover how Veolia depollutes, decarbonizes, and regenerates resources through its GreenUp 24-27 strategic program.
