The transition to a greener economy is under immense pressure: government budgets are strained, citizens and politicians are weary of change, and the competitiveness of companies is being threatened. However, the climate crisis is far from over, on the contrary.
“At De Tijd and L’Echo, we firmly believe that the key to solutions lies in the innovative power of entrepreneurs.”
Peter De Groote Editor-in-chief De Tijd
Paul Gérard Editor-in-chief L’Echo
That’s why we are launching a new edition of Changemakers, in search of the 30 Belgian companies with the strongest solutions to combat the climate crisis. Sustainability champions who also excel in social responsibility. This year, we will place even more emphasis on the social aspect, as we believe that truly sustainable business means not only caring for the planet but also for employees and the local environment.
Jury
Piet Colruyt
Founder of Impact House
Impact Financier
In all stages: from seed capital, via social impact funds to listed equity
In different areas: from sustainable real estate, via planting trees, promoting plant-based food, renewable energy production, SaaS companies using AI to reduce carbon emission
Philanthropic support for system-changing initiatives
Lecturer in KUL’s Sustainable Leadership Programme & author of Allemaal Sociaal 3.0
Stéphanie Fellen
Founder & CEO of Smart2Circle
Entrepreneur, economist, TEDx speaker
Climate, Circular Economy, and CSR Expert
Creator of the Business Impact Podcast, which showcases inspiring personalities who are changing the world through their business
Known for concrete actions to make businesses more sustainable
Steven Van Passel
Vice-rector Valorisation & Sustainability, University of Antwerp
Professor of Environmental and Energy Economics
Expert in climate change (adaptation) economics
Member of the Flemish Panel on Climate and Energy
Member of the European Scientific Advisory Board of FACCE (Joint Programming Initiative on Agriculture, Food Security, and Climate Change)
Two-time recipient of the OECD fellowship (sustainable agriculture and food systems)
Karine Vandenberghe
Sustainability-strategy advisor
Author of the bestseller “ESG-gids”
Entrepreneur and co-founder of Elpix, a company that guides businesses in formulating and implementing effective sustainability strategies to gain competitive advantages
Human rights activist and former chair of Amnesty International
Influential speaker, renowned for guiding businesses to strategically embrace sustainability beyond mere cost considerations
Wim Audenaert
Co-founder and CEO of AM-Team
Impact entrepreneur, international keynote speaker
CEO & Co-founder of AM-Team, a Ghent-based tech business digitally revolutionizing water and wastewater treatment at the global scale
PhD in environmental technology with academic track record
Founder of sciencepreneurship: a movement around converting science into impactful business
Passioned about business development around disruptive ideas – AM-Team won the Changemakers Award 2024 for emerging companies
Amélie Matton
Board member Ecosteryl medical waste treatment and recycling
Business engineer with a specialization in environmental solutions
Expert in impactful solutions related to health and the environment
Recipient of the Bold Woman Award 2022
Passionate about entrepreneurship and the positive impact of IT
Julien Pestiaux
Partner at Climact, Board Member of Ackermans & van Haaren and Union Wallonne des Entreprises
Entrepreneur facilitating sustainable business transformations at both the company and societal level
Supports the development of clear, actionable pathways towards a sustainable, low-carbon society
Leads a growing team driving the energy and climate transition at Climact, with a focus on the European deployment of open-source models
Driven by a sense of urgency to enhance the sustainability ambitions of companies
Isabel Albers
General editor-in-Chief at De Tijd & L’Echo
Jean-Marc Vandoorne
CEO of BioFirst Group (formerly known as Biobest Group)
CEO of BioFirst Group, pioneering sustainable biological alternatives to chemical crop protection
Led BioFirst Group’s expansion, addressing issues like pesticide residues, resistance, and regulatory challenges
Under his leadership, BioFirst Group won two 2024 Changemakers Awards for its environmental impact and innovation
Committed to reducing the environmental footprint of agriculture through innovative crop protection and pollination solutions
Extensive experience driving sustainable growth in diverse industries
Timeline
October 28, 2024
Start of award submissions
January 10, 2025
End of award submissions
February 28, 2025
Announcement of 30 nominees (start voting Audience Award)
March 13, 2025
Jury decision day (end voting)
March 25, 2025
Announcement of winners at the Award Show
Memorable moments from Changemakers 2024
Meet the Changemakers: award winners from the previous edition
Discover the inspiring companies that won the 2024 Changemakers Awards.
These trailblazers have set new standards in sustainability, innovation, and impact.
