Commission and EU rail sector open nominations for Women in Rail Award 2026

Commission and EU rail sector open nominations for Women in Rail Award 2026

Women continue to be significantly underrepresented in the railway workforce. In support of ongoing efforts to address this imbalance and promote greater diversity and inclusion across the sector, the European Commission and the EU rail sector are organising the 2026 Women in Rail Award.

Organised in the context of InnoTrans 2026, where the award ceremony will take place, this year's Award will highlight individuals, teams and organisations that are driving change and creating concrete opportunities for women in the railway sector. The initiative builds upon the 2021 European Social Partner Agreement on Women in Rail, furthering its mission to promote fairness, gender diversity, and equality within the rail sector.

The 2026 edition features four award categories:

• Women Empowerment and Leadership Award - Recognises a railway company, or organisation that has successfully embedded gender equality into its strategy and daily operations, achieving measurable progress, or a woman who has shown outstanding leadership and actively promoted inclusion and equal opportunities in the railway sector.
• R&I in Railway Award - Recognises a female researcher or engineer whose work has significantly contributed to innovation and progress in the European rail sector.
• Next Generation in Rail Award - Highlights educational initiatives that encourage girls and young women to pursue studies and careers in the railway sector.
• Women in Rail Operations Award - Honours the work of women in operational roles, such as train drivers and, in particular, staff involved in critical operations, who demonstrate operational excellence, and contribute to railway safety and efficiency.

Applications and nominations are open here until 23 April 2026 at 12:00 CET (noon).

CER Executive Director Alberto Mazzola said: "CER is excited to launch the 2026 edition of the Women in Rail Award with EU institution and rail partners today. Railway employers are actively implementing and innovating measures to ensure that rail offers attractive, supportive and inclusive workplaces for women at every stage of their career. It is important to encourage and accelerate these collective efforts, which have nudged women representation in railways up to an unprecedented 25% among new hires. This award shines a light on that progress and on the impressive women already making a difference in our field. We look forward to discovering the inspiring candidates that will be nominated this year."

Background

In Europe, women only account for around 23% of the railway sector workforce.

Against this background, the European Commission's Women in Transport platform, Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking (EU-Rail), the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA), the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER), the European Rail Supply Industry Association (UNIFE), the European Rail Infrastructure Managers (EIM) and the Federation of European Train Drivers´ Unions (ALE) united to launch the Women in Rail Award. First held in 2021, the Award promotes fairness, diversity, and equality, and celebrates outstanding and inspiring women and their achievements in the rail sector.