The Degroof Petercam Foundation Award
Through the DPF Award, the DPF selects and finances Europe’s most ambitious systemic social innovations that drive sustainable employment. Each year, the winning organization receives a donation of 1 million euros and tailored support over 5 years.
The winning organisation and the the finalist organisations will be supported by the DP Foundation:
Financial support
- For the winner: € 1 Million spread over 5 years
- For the finalists: A one time payment of € 150.000 to be distributed
Extra-financial support
- Customized to their needs
- Privileged access to the DPF community
Our 4 priorities
- Skills: Developping skills of tomorrow
- Work Accessibility: Facilitating universal access to employment
- Work Conditions: Promoting a fair job market
- Entrepreneurs & Employers: Supporting job creators
Selection process
- May: Peer nominators identify promising organizations
- June: DPF invites selected organizations to apply
- July: Organizations complete online questionnaires
- August: Initial screening by the DPF team
- September: Financial health assessment of shortlisted organizations
- November: On-site visits of shortlisted organizations
- February: Finalists present their organizations to an independent jury
- March: Public announcement of the winner and finalists
How to Be Nominated for the DPF Award
The DPF does not accept direct applications or launch open calls. Instead, we rely on a network of peers who nominate organizations each year.
Nomination eligibility criteria
You can be nominated if your organization:
- Aligns with at least one of our four priorities
- Is a non-profit (Foundation, NGO, or association)
- Does not provide grants or funding to others
- Has been operational for at least two years with a proven track record of impact
- Is based in the EU and creates impact within the EU
- Is at a critical growth stage and scaling up
- Can communicate in English
Our impact methodology
DPF is committed to helping impact-driven organizations scale and achieve systemic change. Over 5 years, we provide extra-financial support:
- €1 million in unrestricted funding
- Capacity-building support
- Access to our network
- Collaboration opportunities
- Increased visibility
Winner of DPF Award 2024
Le Réseau ETRE develops and expands a network of next-generation schools that provide free vocational training for youth (ages 16–25) in green and sustainable trades. Their mission is to highlight the importance of investing in practical skills training to support the ecological transition. The organization also advocates in Paris and Brussels for greater recognition of manual and green professions.
Winner of DPF Award 2023
Chemins d'avenirs enables equal career opportunities for young people in rural and sparsely populated areas.Founded in 2016, the French non-profit organization tackles territorial divides and their consequences, a growing concern in European countries. Their goal is to drive a system change on two levels. First, it accompanies young people from rural areas to reach their full potential through a mentoring program. Second, it combines scientific research with an advocacy strategy to influence public authorities, the education system and corporations on this issue.
Winner of DPF Award 2022
Activ’Action aims to transform the job search period into an opportunity to enlarge one's network, enhance one's employment skills, carry out projects and try out new abilities through its free and collaborative workshops. Its unique methodology focuses on a catalog of 15 soft skills (oral fluency, teamwork, active listening, etc.) that are essential for today's world and tomorrow's challenges. This project responds to a societal need, knowing that unemployment has a negative impact on soft skills and behavioral aptitudes (self-confidence, social cohesion, optimism, perseverance, ambition, etc.), which are paramount for the job market.
Winner of DPF Award 2021
Ticket for Change aims at empowering everyone to direct their talents toward a positive social and environmental change through their jobs. Concretely, via various tailored programs, they accompany entrepreneurs creating jobs with a social and environmental vocation, leaders and employees transforming their jobs towards a more impact, and unemployed people or people in transition to find meaningful jobs. This partnership aims at helping Ticket for Change finance its systemic development and grow internationally, focusing on Belgium and Luxembourg first.
Winner of DPF Award 2020
Bayes Impact is a French NGO that favors technology to tackle social issues. Among the various problems our society is struggling with, Bayes Impact focuses on facilitating access to employment. How? By means of its public service called "Bob", a free and open source tool relying on artificial intelligence and powerful algorithms to help people find a job in a personalized manner.
Winner of the DPF Award 2019
DUO for a JOB pairs young job-seekers having a migrant background with experienced workers (50 years and older) who can assist them in finding a job. The non-profit organization serves both young people and potential counselors. It was founded in Brussels in 2013, and is now active in Antwerp, Brussels, Ghent and Liège. The objective of this partnership is to help the organization to expand its activities throughout Europe, starting in France.
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