The winners of the Prix de l’Innovation et de la Recherche
The Département rewarded innovation and research during the first edition of its prestigious awards.
Recently, the Atrium de l'Hôtel départemental hosted the first edition of the Prix de l'Innovation et de la Recherche du Var. Launched on October 28, 2024, this initiative by the Département aims to encourage and promote innovative projects led by students, researchers, academics, associations, local authorities, and social and solidarity economy actors in the territory. The winners illustrate the richness and diversity of the innovative initiatives driven by the Var territory, supported by the Département in its approach to promoting excellence and creativity.
42 APPLICATIONS AND 5 PRIZES With 42 applications received, this initiative demonstrates the desire to stimulate innovation in various fields (technology, social, or environment). Five prizes, each endowed with €10,000, were awarded: the Grand Prix de l'Innovation Technologique, the Grand Prix de l'Innovation Environnementale, the Grand Prix de l'Innovation Sociale, the Prix Thématique de l'Égalité Femmes/Hommes, and the Coup de Cœur du Jury.
Technological innovation Environmental innovation Social innovation Coup de Cœur du Jury The Super Serre project, led by Timothée Bailly in Camps-la-Source, is an autonomous agricultural greenhouse thanks to its rainwater storage and photovoltaic electricity production system. Designed to optimize plant growth while protecting them from extreme weather conditions, this greenhouse can be installed in various contexts, such as schoolyards, to serve as an educational tool for learning gardening and sustainable agriculture. Located in Aups, Thiercelieux is a social, cultural, and civic third-place that fosters the personal development of everyone by offering a space for meeting, sharing, and freedom.
Open free of charge from Monday to Saturday, this 80 m² space welcomes the general public and contributes to the development of social ties, access to culture, and original personal assistance. Developed by Eva Gauthier, Lucile Charpentier, and Cassandra Derollez, Master 2 students at ISEN Méditerranée, Blue Vital is a smart connected patch designed to fight dehydration in fragile people, especially the elderly, during heatwaves.
This device continuously analyzes sweat produced by the skin and sends alerts via Bluetooth in case of dehydration risk. Made from bio-based and biodegradable biomaterials, Blue Vital aims to reduce hospitalizations and maintain the autonomy of the elderly.
Prix égalité Femmes - Hommes Led by Jean-Luc Gaignepain in La Farlède, Open Lab is a collaborative space dedicated to democratizing access to digital technology. This project offers workshops on programming, robotics, cybersecurity, and virtual/augmented reality, while fighting the digital divide. A major focus is the feminization of digital careers, encouraging young girls to explore scientific and technological careers.
Based in Toulon, the association "L'économe" fights against food waste by offering a second life to surplus fruit and vegetables from local producers. Part of the unsold produce is redistributed to charities, while the other part is processed into canned goods. Since 2024, the association has also organized "Les cueillettes solidaires", an initiative aimed at harvesting unpicked produce directly from the fields, thereby increasing donations to partner associations partners.