PARTICIPATE AT SIAL FOR CHANGE
The first SIAL Paris CSR award
Launched in 2024, SIAL For Change is the first award dedicated to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiated by SIAL Paris, in partnership with the CSR consultancy Hyssop. This initiative marked a new step in SIAL Paris’ commitment to supporting companies that promote sustainability at the heart of their strategy and implement responsible practices throughout their operations, contributing to a fairer, more inclusive and environmentally responsible future.
Beyond its competitive dimension, SIAL For Change offers a unique opportunity to showcase outstanding initiatives and position committed companies as inspiring sustainability leaders within the food industry. The initiative also benefits from a strong European and international reach, thanks to new collaborations.
In 2026, SIAL For Change takes on a new dimension with a dedicated, vibrant and engaged space at the heart of the exhibition. Designed to enhance visibility, this space will offer participants increased opportunities to highlight their CSR initiatives to visitors, partners, and decision-makers, in France and internationally.
Who can enter?
The competition aims to reward and promote sustainable initiatives led by companies exhibiting at SIAL Paris, whether start-ups, SMEs, or large corporations.
What’s new in 2026?
SIAL For Change is joining forces with The Foodies, the first European award dedicated to recognising small and medium-sized food and beverage companies that demonstrate excellence in sustainability. This partnership expands the scope of the competition and opens it to European start-ups and SMEs that are not exhibiting at SIAL Paris, thereby creating the category “SIAL for Change by The Foodies”.
You are a registered exhibitor at SIAL Paris
(start-up, SME or large company)
You are a start-up or SME
(in the agri-food ecosystem)
For European start-ups and SMEs not exhibiting at SIAL Paris, the competition is jointly led by SIAL Paris and The Foodies, with the support of the European Commission, ensuring a credible and EU-recognised framework.
Apply now, showcase your CSR initiatives and join a collective movement shaping the future of food, more sustainable, fair and responsible.
Key dates for the 2026 SIAL For Change competition
- March 2026: opening of applications
- July 2026: application deadline
- September 2026: jury evaluation
- 18 October 2026: awards ceremony at 12:00 pm on the SIAL Talks stage
Selection criteria
Participants are invited to submit their entries regarding various pillars of CSR that they might address in their company. It should be noted that companies may address only one or several pillars and are not required to address all of them.
For mid-sized and large companies, the assessment framework is structured around six key CSR pillars:
- Internal engagement
- Responsible purchasing
- Actions implemented
- Future perspectives and objectives
- Fighting waste
- Local support and engagement
- Transport
- Working conditions and wellbeing of partners and employees
For the “SIAL for Change by The Foodies” category (Non-exhibiting European start-ups/SMEs), the evaluation is based on the following criteria: Originality, Impact, Scalability, Sustainability, Economics, EU contribution around seven European sustainability objectives:
- Healthy, balanced and sustainable diets
- Prevention and reduction of food loss and waste
- An optimised circular and resource-efficient food chain
- A climate neutral food chain
- Sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work
- Sustainable value creation in the food supply chain through partnership
- Sustainable sourcing in food supply chains
Why take part?
Winning a SIAL For Change Award can be a powerful accelerator for your company, offering maximum visibility before, during, and after the show, as well as valuable networking opportunities. It is a unique chance to tell your sustainability story to the key players shaping the future of food.
Your commitments highlighted by SIAL Paris through maximal visibility before, during and after the show:
Before SIAL Paris
- Shortlisted exhibitors will be able to use the logo "Selection – SIAL For Change 2026"
- Highlighted in the online catalogue under the filter criterion ‘CSR’
- The shortlisted companies will be cited at the SIAL Paris press conference in September 2026, offering you media coverage in France and worldwide.
- Omnichannel publicity of selected companies: social media, website, newsroom, visitor and exhibitor emails, etc.
During SIAL Paris
- The shortlisted and winning companies will be able to display the logo on their stand.
- Prize-giving ceremony on the SIAL Talks stage highlighted in the event programme.
- Speaking opportunity on the SIAL For Change stage and a networking session.
- Shortlisted companies will be highlighted in the SIAL Paris CSR visitor trail and in the online catalogue.
- Presence in visiting tools: the distributed visitor guide and press kit, the plans and programmes displayed around the show.
- Live communication on the shortlisted companies and winners.
- Video interview with the winners filmed at the show.
After SIAL Paris
- Communication towards SIAL’s food ecosystem on the practices developed by the winning companies, to reach the widest audience.
- Follow-up of winning companies’ commitments between SIAL Paris shows with interviews and articles.
- The winning companies will be cited during the promotion of the 2028 competition on our social media feeds.
How to enter
Join us in this exciting initiative and show the world your company’s commitment to social and environmental responsibility!
"It's an opportunity to promote the company, it's free visibility."
The jury
FAQ
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Can I apply to the SIAL For Change competition?Yes, if you are an exhibitor at SIAL Paris, or if you are a European start-up or SME not exhibiting at SIAL Paris, and your initiatives align with sustainable / CSR practices. No, if you are a mid-sized (ETI) or large company not exhibiting at the show.
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How will I know if I have been selected?You will receive an email confirming the status of your application. If you are selected, congratulations! You may use the “Selected – SIAL For Change 2026” logo, and your file will be reviewed by the jury.
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Will I be informed before the show if I have won?No. Winners will be announced during the Awards Ceremony on 18 October at 12:00 pm on the SIAL Talks stage. Winners will be invited on stage to receive their prize.
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What does being a finalist or winner involve?You will not know in advance if you have won a prize. However, if you are a finalist, you will be informed and receive all necessary instructions by email to prepare your participation.
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How do I know if I qualify as a start-up / SME?
SME: a micro, small, or medium-sized enterprise (SME) which employs no more than 250 peoplepeople, and which has an annual turnover not exceeding €50 million or an annual balance sheet total not exceeding €43 million.
Start-up: an innovative new business, in the early stages of growth. You fall into this category if you are a small nimble team that kickstarts change through innovative approaches and by disrupting the status quo. A start-up usually starts with an idea – big or small – and with the help of self or external funding you turn this idea into a small business ready to tackle big problems.
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How do I know if I qualify as a mid-sized/large company?If you are an exhibitor at the show, two separate questionnaires are available: one for start-ups and SMEs, and one for mid-sized or large companies. You fall into the second category if your company employs more than 250 people and has an annual turnover exceeding €50 million or a balance sheet total exceeding €43 million. Please note: if you meet these criteria but are not an exhibiting company, you are not eligible to participate in the SIAL For Change Award.
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How do I register for the competition?
- If you are a SIAL Paris exhibitor:
Applications are submitted via the SIAL For Change online registration platform, using the login and password provided when you registered as an exhibitor. Log in to your exhibitor space, go to Communication > SIAL For Change Awards, complete the registration form and submit it. (The questionnaire differs depending on your company type: start-up / SME or large company.)
- If you are a European start-up or SME not exhibiting:
Access the competition platform, create your login and password, and complete the questionnaire.
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Can I attach documents?Yes. Some questions allow you to attach PDF, or JPG documents and links directly to the registration form.
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How do I get my login details?
For exhibitors, login details are automatically sent when you register for SIAL Paris.
For non-exhibiting start-ups or SMEs, you can create your login directly on the competition platform.
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In which language should I complete my questionnaire?The form must be completed in the language offered by the show: French or English for SIAL Paris.
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What if I make a mistake while submitting my application?You can edit your application at any time until the final submission step. If you need to make changes after submission, please contact the person listed under the “Contact” tab on the registration platform.
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What does “selected” mean?Being “selected” means your application has successfully passed the first evaluation stage and will be presented to the jury, who will choose the winners. It also means your company will be featured on the SIAL Paris CSR visitor trail and you will have the right to use the “SIAL For Change 2026” logo.
Our partners
The Foodies
FoodDrinkEurope
European Commission
Hyssop
To combine its knowledge of the food industry with the CSR expertise of an acknowledged name, SIAL is joining forces with the CSR consultancy Hyssop, tasked both with compiling the award’s specifications and assessing the entries as an independent third party.
Hyssop is not one for idle talk, and prefers pumped-up action to pompous rhetoric. In practice, Hyssop is a tight-knit team of technical experts dealing in CSR, brand strategy and responsible communication. A collective that can support companies in their sustainable transformation, globally and in alignment with their business. Hyssop currently advises companies of all sizes, from L’Oreal to Jeff de Bruges, Protifly or Guerlain. For the French Biodiversity Agency, Hyssop has evaluated 74 biodiversity roadmap, a large proportion of which were in the food sector.
Harnessing its 20 years of experience in support of initiatives that include CSR audits and action plans, responsible purchasing policies, biodiversity roadmaps, stakeholder dialogue, content platforms and internal engagement programmes, Hyssop accompanies responsible organisations in search of the best way forward.