General overview
Organisé depuis 2014, le Prix national du Génie Écologique (PGE) permet de valoriser des projets de génie écologique de qualité, et de montrer que le génie écologique peut répondre à de nombreux enjeux opérationnels.
Ecological engineering notably enables the re-creation of natural habitats, the restoration of degraded environments, and the enhancement of ecosystem functions.
Through awarded projects, it helps share best practices that support biodiversity and promotes the development of this emerging sector.
The co-organizers
The National Ecological Engineering Award is co-organized by:
- A-IGÉco
- the Ecological Engineering Resource Center of the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB),
- and in partnership with the Ministry for Ecological Transition,
- The award also brings in a new partner for each edition in order to highlight a specific theme within ecological engineering.
History of the 5 editions
1. The first edition
This award, launched in 2014, coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Water Law. It was an opportunity to highlight the contribution of the ecological engineering sector to the preservation of aquatic environments. Launched during the ASTEE Congress in 2014, it was presented at a conference dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Water Law.
2. The second edition
Organized in 2018 by A-IGEco, together with the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the French Agency for Biodiversity (AFB), it broadened the award to a wider range of environments and contexts. It highlighted six exemplary projects, presented during a dedicated event in November 2018 and featured in a special issue of the TSM Journal (10, 2019). The winners were also showcased through feedback and experience reports published on the Ecological Engineering Resource Center website.
3. For the third edition
les co-organisateurs que sont l’A-IGÉco et l’OFB, en partenariat avec la Direction de l’Eau de la Biodiversité (DEB) du Ministère de la Transition Écologique et Solidaire (MTES) se sont associés avec le Forum des Marais Atlantiques (FMA) pour l’ajout d’un Prix spécial Milieux Humides. Cette édition, qui s’est déroulée lors des Assises Nationales de la Biodiversité en novembre 2020, a permis de récompenser 8 projets lauréats, dont un Grand Prix, un Prix spécial et un prix Coup de cœur du Jury.
4. The fourth edition was held in 2022
For which the co-organizers partnered with Plante & Cité to create a special award highlighting projects in urban environments. Five winning projects were thus recognized for the quality of their work, including a Special Award and a Jury’s Favorite Award.
5. In 2024, for this fifth edition
The co-organizers once again partnered with Plante & Cité for the Special Award for Ecological Engineering in Urban Environments. It was a highly successful edition, with numerous submissions and high-quality applications. In total, nine winning projects were recognized across the four main categories, as well as the Urban Environments Award, a Jury’s Special Award, an Experimentation and Applied Research Award, and a Grand Prize.
Awards that recognize all stakeholders involved in a project
The National Ecological Engineering Award aims to recognize the collective work of the stakeholders who have led and implemented exemplary ecological engineering projects: project owners, design offices, project managers, construction companies, suppliers, research organizations, associations, and others. One of these stakeholders applies on behalf of all partners involved in the project, who are then collectively recognized and awarded
The call for applications is open to any ecological engineering project or operation completed by the application deadline, and that fits into one of the categories defined each year
Categories reflecting the diversity of applications
For example, in its 2022 edition, the National Ecological Engineering Award included, in addition to the Special Urban Environments Award, the following five categories:
- Ecosystem and population restoration,
- Management of invasive species
- Enhancement of ecological networks
- Improvement and/or enhancement of ecosystem and soil-related services.
- Improvement and/or enhancement of ecosystem and soil-related services.
Biodiversity-friendly management practices. At each edition, a Grand Prize may be awarded to recognize a particularly outstanding project among those submitted across all categories.
A jury composed of scientific experts and technical specialists selects the winners.
For more information and to stay informed about the launch of the call for applications:
2026 edition
In a few words!
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The winning projects
Jury profiles
2014–2024: Overview of the National Ecological Engineering Award
Since 2014, five editions of the National Ecological Engineering Award have been organized. Over the past 10 years, more than 180 applications have been submitted, resulting in 35 winners across France (metropolitan and overseas territories).
Find in this report an overview of these 10 years filled with exemplary collective projects for biodiversity!
