The Award was created in 2005 by French SIF on a European scope. Its aim was to encourage academic research and foster relations and debates between academics and practitioners. After being a stakeholder for 3 years, PRI became partner for its 7th edition in 2011.

The French Sustainable Investment Forum (FIR) is a non-profit and multi-stakeholder organisation, which brings together organisations and individuals interested in promoting SRI in France.
Its main aims are to contribute to SRI public policy making, to support research initiatives in the field of SRI, to promote socially responsible and sustainable investment practices. The FIR’s 110+ members represent most of the actors of the SRI « industry » in France and include Asset Owners, Asset Managers, ESG Rating Agencies, Unions, Associations, Academics and individuals interested in promoting the SRI business case.
The FIR also runs the French Responsible Finance Week each fall and CorDial, a dialogue platform with large caps companies. The FIR is supporting with the AFG (French Asset Manager Association) and Eurosif the Transparency Code. This Code is now mandatory for all SRI funds on the French market. French SIF is also a founding Member of Eurosif.
The United Nations-backed Principles for Responsible Investment Initiative (PRI) is a network of international investors working together to put the six Principles for Responsible Investment into practice.
The Principles were devised by the investment community. They reflect the view that environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) issues can affect the performance of investment portfolios and therefore must be given appropriate consideration by investors if they are to fulfil their fiduciary (or equivalent) duty. The Principles provide a voluntary framework by which all investors can incorporate ESG issues into their decision-making and ownership practices and so better align their objectives with those of society at large.
The PRI Initiative was created after the launch of the Principles to help investors to implement the Principles. The Initiative is managed by the PRI Secretariat and supports investors by sharing best practice, facilitating collaboration and managing a variety of work streams. The Initiative is incorporated as a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. The Initiative is funded by an annual subscription fee introduced for all signatories.