Commission and EU rail sector launch Women in Rail Award 2025

Despite women comprising over 50% of rail passengers, they represent only about 20% of the rail workforce in the EU. 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), Federation of European Train Drivers´ Unions (ALE) and European Rail Infrastructure Managers (EIM) have united to launch the Women in Rail Award 2025, to promote fairness, diversity, and equality, and celebrate outstanding and inspiring women and their achievements in the rail sector. 

The award, divided into four categories, recognises the work of a woman or a group of people led by a woman having demonstrated achievements bringing the EU railway sector forward and/or overcoming obstacles for other women to thrive in the railway sector, or a company/organisation’s outstanding efforts in this regard. 

The award ceremony is planned to take place in October 2025, at the European Rail Safety Days 2025 in Warsaw. 

Candidates can apply for one of the following three award categories before 6 June 2025 (midnight CEST): 

• The Women Empowerment Award recognises a European company in the railway sector that has gone the extra-mile in making gender-balance a top priority and has fully integrated it in its day-to-day decisions and DNA.
• The Leadership and Mentoring Award recognises a woman who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and mentoring through concrete actions, helping women to make a positive impact in the European railway sector.
• The Research and Innovation Award recognises a woman that has demonstrated outstanding work through research and innovation contributing to enhance the attractiveness and/or competitiveness of rail.
• the Next Generation in Rail Award  recognises outstanding educational initiatives, projects and activities that empower girls and young women (from Primary to Higher Education, from 6 to 25 years old audience) to explore careers in the rail sector.

More information