Laetitia Quilici: 'Var is a department that innovates'

With its 'Var, terre d'innovation' programme, the Département has confirmed its ambition to promote initiatives shaping the future of the territory. The second edition of the Prix de l'Innovation et de la Recherche, whose award ceremony took place in spring, is part of this vision. The goal is to reveal and support local talents whose projects provide concrete solutions to economic, social, and environmental challenges. 'Var is a department that innovates: we want to highlight our talents and all the actors shaping this dynamic in our territory,' emphasized Laetitia Quilici, Vice-President of the Département in charge of Digital, Higher Education, Research, and Innovation.

CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT

Building on the success of the first edition launched on 28 October 2024, the Département renewed the initiative with an overall budget of €50,000. The call for applications, from 15 October 2025 to 15 January 2026, was open to a wide range of actors: students, associations, researchers, laboratories, actors of the social and solidarity economy, and local authorities. Six awards were presented: three grand prizes (technological, environmental, and social innovation), a thematic prize dedicated to promoting local heritage, a prize for local authorities in Var, and a 'jury's favourite'. Five of these distinctions came with a grant of €10,000 each, while the winner of the local authorities prize will benefit from privileged visibility in the Département's communication materials. Beyond simple technological prowess, the jury paid particular attention to projects that put people at the heart of their approach. Citizen involvement, social cohesion, and the initiatives' capacity to respond pragmatically to the needs of the residents of Var were key criteria. Projects were evaluated on their originality, local relevance, feasibility, rigour, and potential for replication on a larger scale. The stated ambition is to make innovation a lever for sustainable and inclusive development, building public action as close as possible to users.