Ecotrophelia Europe
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Ecotrophelia Europe is the European final of the world's largest student competition dedicated to sustainable food innovation. It is not a standalone competition where students apply directly; rather, it is the annual gathering of national winners from over 15 European countries. It usually take place one year at SIAL Paris (France) and the next at Anuga in Koln (Germany). Each year, the best student teams, who have won their respective national competitions (such as Ecotrophelia France, Belgium, Spain, etc.), come together to present their projects before an international jury of experts.
The goal is to compare concrete solutions developed locally to address common challenges facing the European food industry:
reducing food waste, valorizing by-products, sustainable packaging, nutrition, and health.
Winners 2025
Congratulations to the team Cornella from the Haute Ecole Charlemagne in Belgium who won the European competition in 2025 with their ice cream cone for lactose intolerants. Currently, the team is finishing their studies but their goal is to continue working on their project when finished. You might hear about Cornella soon!
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The Ecotrophelia Europe competition is organised by the Ecotrophelia Europe EEIG. The group is composed of 2 European institutions: EIT Food and Food Drink Europe, and 6 national food federations: ANIA in France, Fevia in Belgium, FIAB in Spain, SEVT in Greece, CCIS-CAFE in Slovenia and LVA in Austria.
The 2026 Ecotrophelia Europe Edition is underway!
The flagship competition for food innovators will take place at the heart of SIAL Paris on October 18th and 19th, 2026.This year, 18 elite teams should represent their respective countries. They will face an international jury of experts to prove the viability and impact of their innovations to try to get one of the 5 prizes:
• Gold - 4000€
• Silver - 3000€
• Bronze - 2000€
• Entrepreneurial Spirit - 500€
• Communication Strategy - 500€
Stay in touch!
If you are interested in getting involved in any way possible, we can't wait to hear from you at contact@ecotrophelia.org
Ecotrophelia Europe Initiatives
In 2025, 10 participants to Ecotrophelia who want to launch their start-up have been selected to be mentored by IPLC mentorship thanks to the collaboration with EIT Food! This mentorship program is the first initiative proposed by Ecotrophelia Europe to participants in each country (not only the national winners) with the aim of supporting teams after their participation to Ecotrophelia.
It was the opportunity for them to get some support in the development or their start-up and prototype!
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