The European Railway Award
The European Railway Award was initiated in 2007 and is jointly organised by the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER), and the Union des Industries Ferroviaires Européennes, the Association of the European Rail Industry (UNIFE). Award ceremony and annual reception. The European Railway Award honours outstanding political and technical achievements in the development of economically and environmentally sustainable rail transport. The award is held annually in Brussels with over 500 participants. The award includes prize money, which is donated to the charitable organizations of the laureates’ choice. The jury consists of CEOs of rail  companies and other stakeholders from the transport sector. Siim Kallas, Vice-President of the European Commission, and Brian Simpson, Member of the European Parliament and Chairman of the Transport Committee, are regular guests of honour of the European Railway Award. The Award Ceremony is always followed by the joint CER-UNIFE Annual Reception. Prior to 2018, a political and technical award were given out to two recipients, but these awards were merged in 2018. In 2017, for the tenth anniversary of the award, no awards were given out. Political award recipients (2007-2016). The political award was given to personalities  who have contributed to the development of economically and environmentally sustainable rail transport in their countries and in Europe. Technical award recipients (2007-2016). The Technical Award was given to personalities who have contributed to the design of breakthrough solutions and technologies in the rail sector.