The winners of the 17th Student Solidarity Awards were announced on 14 May 2025 at a ceremony held at Veolia's head office in Aubervilliers. Run in conjunction with the Human Resources Department of Veolia Zone France, this event showcases the solidarity initiatives of student associations that are in line with the areas of intervention of the Veolia Foundation.
The 2025 edition of the competition was marked by the cross-disciplinary nature of the student associations and the broad geographical scope of the entries. Of the three prizes awarded, two are the result of deliberations by a professional jury and the third is the result of online voting among the 10 finalists. The three winners each receive financial support and the support of a Veolia sponsor.
The Veolia 2025 Student Solidarity Prize in figures
32 applications
10 finalists
3 winners
The Juste 2°C association received the Student Solidarity Prize from Jean-François Nogrette, Managing Director of Veolia Zone France and Special Waste Europe, for its Sail 2 Sandwich project.
Set up in 2020 by students from the Ecoles Normales Supérieures (Ulm and Lyon), the association has gradually been joined by students from other educational establishments, including INSA Lyon, the University of Paris Saclay and the University of Bordeaux Montaigne. Each year, it prepares an interdisciplinary scientific expedition, coupled with a campaign to raise young people's awareness of the scientific approach. The winning project involves sailing to the South Sandwich Islands from October 2026 to April 2027.
At the same time, a scientific outreach campaign focusing on the island environments of the Atlantic and Southern Oceans will be conducted. Bernard Cyna, former Regional Director of Veolia Ile-de-France, is the project's patron.
Jean-François Nogrette, the Juste 2°C team and Véronique Deborde (INSA Lyon).
SolSu was singled out by Romain Torres, Human Resources Director, Zone France, for its ‘Pérou en partage’ project.
These medical and odontology students from Sorbonne University and Université Paris Cité will be carrying out a medical campaign in Peru. Working with the Peruvian NGO Meraki, which brings together Peruvian medical students, they will be bringing medicines and medical supplies (oxygen, equipment, etc.) to disadvantaged communities in Lima and two isolated villages. Nuno Peirico, Veolia's Director of Health and Wellbeing, is the project's patron.
Romain Torres, the Sol'Su team and their sponsor, Nuno Peirico.
The Public Prize was awarded by David Poinard, Managing Director of the Veolia Foundation, to Mission Potosí.
Its ‘Higiene para crecer’ project won after more than 5,000 votes were cast online.
Set up in 2003 by students from the Essec business school, Mission Potosí sends students on a two-month humanitarian mission to Bolivia every summer. The aim is to support educational centres in the mining town of Potosí. This year, 200 children will benefit from six newly-built dry toilets in 3 educational centres. Christian Pitavy, VWT's Chief Digital Officer, is the project's patron.
The Mission Potosí team, Prisca Bouteillier (Essec) and David Poinard.