For the sixth consecutive year, the PATEA (Prize for Actors of Ecological and Food Transition) highlights concrete actions for food, ecological, and energy transition. Faced with the urgency of current challenges, numerous initiatives are emerging and developing. The objective of the Department of Agriculture, Rurality, and Laboratory of the Province of Liège is to support these dynamic actors in the region and increase the visibility of their projects.
Four laureates were distinguished on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at the Agronomic Campus of HEPL in La Reid. Each received a prize of €5,000 to support the development of their respective actions. A specialized jury evaluated the projects based on several criteria: the transition-related action, innovation, territorial anchoring, continuity prospects, and inspiring nature.
Among the laureates, Ferme Ancion by Nicolas ANCION from Saive was recognized for reviving a family farm with organic breeding of Coucou de Malines chickens. The project aims for a local agricultural model combining animal welfare, crop diversification, food autonomy, and short circuits, with support from local stakeholders.
In Baelen, the project Viens on sème by Nathalie PETERS was awarded for its integrated approach combining floriculture, direct sales, participatory picking, and knowledge transfer. This project offers an ecological alternative to imported flowers, using unheated greenhouses and rainwater harvesting.
Mickaël LESENFANTS from Ferrières is a laureate with Betula woodland elegance, a micro-exploitation project combining specialized crops, forest resources, and artisanal processing. It produces local, high-value beverages and preparations, utilizing local raw materials and incorporating mobile poultry farming.
Finally, Sylv'agro by Sébastien PIROTTE in Theux designs and supports agroforestry projects adapted to farms. The company plants approximately 18,000 trees and 15 to 20 kilometers of hedges annually, integrating trees as a productive farm infrastructure.
The Province of Liège congratulates the laureates and looks forward to next year's edition, reaffirming its commitment to sustainable development.
