This week, Euronext proudly participated along with other exchanges in the inaugural ‘Ring the Bell for LGBTIQ+ Equality’ ceremony organised by the Sustainable Stock Exchanges initiative, in collaboration with the UN Global Compact, UN Human Rights (OHCHR), Koppa, the LGBTI+ Economic Power Lab and the Partnership for Global LGBTIQ+ Equality. 

This global event marked the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), and our participation reinforces our commitment to building inclusive markets where all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression are valued and empowered. 

As the leading European capital market infrastructure, Euronext recognises the importance of diversity and inclusivity in driving innovation, resilience and progress.

Building inclusive markets together

Our offices throughout Europe joined other exchanges to take part in a range of meaningful activities to celebrate the first edition of the ‘Ring the Bell for LGBTIQ+ Equality’. Across our locations, we hosted events including opening bell ceremonies and discussed key topics such as fostering inclusive workplaces, advancing equity in capital markets and driving positive change.

This space provided a platform for impactful conversations, underlining the importance of inclusion, awareness of bias and non-tolerance for any form of discrimination. Through our participation to this event, Euronext is proud to reaffirm our commitment to inclusivity in the workplace. 

Read more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion on our ESG page.   

This year’s Blue Challenge once again highlighted the creativity, passion and entrepreneurial spirit of students in tackling the most urgent environmental challenges of today. 

The global final on 13 May brought together ten exceptional student teams from Belgium, Denmark, France, India, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Now in its fifth year, the Blue Challenge is a flagship initiative of Euronext’s ESG strategy and runs in partnership with JA Worldwide.

The programme empowers students aged 16 to 18 to explore sustainable finance and develop real business solutions addressing the Blue Economy, an increasingly vital space in the fight against climate change. The programme’s focus on the ocean’s health highlights the urgency of preserving marine ecosystems and supporting sustainable solutions for the future. 

With over 250 students participating throughout the academic year, mentored by more than 50 Euronext volunteers, the competition culminated in a virtual final where each country’s top team pitched their business idea to an expert jury. The judging panel included Simon Gallagher, CEO of Euronext London, Sheila Heymans, Executive Director of the European Marine Board, Kestutis Sadauskas, Deputy Director-General of DG MARE at the European Commission, Clio Cordaville, HR Director and Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Euronext, and Prof Dr Uwe Waller, Marine Biologist and Mentor at SEAWATER Cubes, who evaluated entries based on innovation, feasibility, sustainability, business acumen and climate impact.

Celebrating every team’s innovation

The event opened with remarks from JA Europe’s Sophie Norman and Salvatore Nigro, celebrating the five-year Euronext–JA Europe partnership. Sylvia Andriessen, General Counsel at Euronext, praised the students for their dedication and forward-thinking solutions.

Each finalist presented a practical and environmentally-grounded solution to pressing ecological problems. Their work reflects the real-world potential of youth-led impact and entrepreneurship.

• Flourish (UK) created Ecoscribe, a line of pencils made from recycled newspaper, aiming to reduce plastic and promote sustainability. The company encourages eco-literacy through stationery that supports everyday sustainable choices.
• REU (Ireland) proposed long-lasting, repairable clothing and education on clothing repair. Tackling the carbon footprint of fast fashion, REU restores and resells second-hand clothing with a circular model that promotes reuse over mass production.
• BioCatch (Portugal) designed biodegradable fishing nets with sonar sensors that repel unintended species like dolphins, helping reduce bycatch and protect marine biodiversity.
• FLOW (France) won second place by developing a natural depollutant made from the prickly pear cactus, a common plant in Corsica. Their low-cost, biodegradable solution purifies water without chemicals and supports local agriculture.
• EcoWaveTech (Italy) proposed marine monitoring buoys to gather data on ocean conditions for improved sustainability policies. Using floating buoy technology, EcoWaveTech’s system collects real-time marine data and uses AI for predictive analysis to inform environmental policy and support scientific research.
• SkiMurai (India) won first place with an innovative oil spill clean-up tool made from natural, low-cost materials like coconut husks. Their product provides a sustainable, reusable and efficient oil spill solution that minimises environmental impact and supports long-term sustainability without relying on harmful chemicals.
• Terra Lumière (Netherlands) developed sustainable candles with refillable elements to reduce single-use waste. Targeted at both businesses and conscious consumers, their smoke-free candles use non-toxic, locally sourced materials.
• ReBounce (Denmark) designed a scheme to repurpose used footballs by upcycling them into new ones. Their business model also includes a take-back and reward system to encourage consumer engagement and material reuse.
• Aquaguard (Norway) took third place for their biodegradable ice technology, revolutionising fish transport with a cleaner, safer method. Their biodegradable cooling system, made from algae, provides a safer and more sustainable alternative to conventional ice in seafood transport, reducing bacterial contamination and water waste.
• CoCoSchool (Belgium) created a GPS-enabled school carpooling app that promotes shared travel while reducing traffic and emissions. By targeting schools and parents directly, the app addresses both environmental and social sustainability.

A shared vision for a sustainable future

Judges were deeply impressed by the quality and relevance of the ideas presented. Aquaguard from Norway earned third place for their biodegradable ice technology that revolutionises fish transport and has the high potential to expand into other industries. FLOW from France earned second place for their innovative use of natural resources in a local circular economy model. India’s SkiMurai took home the Blue Innovation Award, not only for their technical solution but also for the emotive storytelling and prototype development that set their pitch apart.

The Blue Challenge 2025 was a true celebration of youth innovation, global collaboration and the promise of a sustainable future. Euronext is proud to support this next generation of entrepreneurs as they take bold steps toward meaningful environmental change.

Behind the scenes

Euronext’s commitment to advancing the Blue Economy is a core element of its broader ESG strategy. On 2 June 2020, Euronext became the first exchange to endorse the Nine Principles for Sustainable Ocean Practices, a framework developed by the United Nations Global Compact to guide responsible business conduct in relation to the ocean. This milestone underscored Euronext’s ambition to lead by example in protecting ocean health and promoting sustainable marine practices.

In 2021, building on this commitment, Euronext launched the Blue Challenge in partnership with JA Europe. Now in its fifth edition, the programme aims to inspire and empower secondary school students to develop innovative, sustainable business solutions that address critical challenges within the Blue Economy. By bridging sustainability, entrepreneurship and education, the initiative gives young people a platform to shape real-world impact.

The Blue Challenge is proudly supported by the Euronext Foundation, which drives Euronext’s engagement with local communities across Europe. The Foundation focuses on three key pillars: financial literacy, diversity and inclusion in finance, and the preservation of marine resources. It acts as a unifying platform for philanthropic and educational initiatives, providing both funding and volunteering opportunities to help employees contribute meaningfully to positive change.

This programme forms part of Euronext’s wider sustainability journey, as outlined in its Empowering Sustainable Growth strategy and SBTi-validated climate commitments. As an Official Supporter of the United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges initiative since 2015, Euronext has aligned its ESG roadmap with the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with a clear focus on SDG 14: Life Below Water.

Through strategic partnerships and long-term investment in youth and education, Euronext continues to play an active role in shaping a more sustainable and inclusive future.

Learn more about the Blue Challenge and Euronext’s ESG commitment here.

The Blue Innovation Award 2025 winner

Discover the winning solution from SkiMurai, India's innovative oil spill clean-up tool, and the incredible student teams tackling marine sustainability in the video below.

This analysis focuses on the market quality of the French stock options market, highlighting Euronext’s superior market quality with tighter spreads and larger Best Bid and Offer sizes.

Market quality analysis on the French stock options market

Executive summary

• Euronext demonstrates superior market quality with tighter spreads and larger average Best Bid and Offer (BBO) sizes compared to its competitors. This consistency is observed on first maturities and across different option types - in the money, at the money, and out of the money - with Euronext maintaining better spreads and higher BBO quantities.
• For the top 10 traded underlyings, the observation remains the same: Euronext offers the best market quality for the most liquid French equity options underlying.
• Overall, Euronext's outstanding market quality on French equity options provides enhanced liquidity, demonstrating stability and resilience during market volatility.

To find out more about the performance, download the market quality analysis on the French stock options market.

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May 2025