09/05/2026
Nordic Tram Award: Winners of the first edition announced in Gothenburg
During Tram Forum / Spårvägsforum 2026 in Gothenburg, the first winners of the Nordic Tram Award were announced. The award recognises cities, projects, individuals and student work contributing to innovation, impact and sustainable tramway development across the Nordic region.
Women in Nordic Light Rail Award
The Women in Nordic Light Rail Award 2026 was awarded to one winner from each represented country.
Mimmi Mickelsen – Sweden
The jury highlighted Mimmi Mickelsen for her long-standing and influential contribution to the Nordic light rail sector, combining technical and strategic leadership with a strong commitment to safety, knowledge sharing and inclusion, and for actively shaping a more collaborative, sustainable and future-oriented industry.
Elisabeth Hofbeck – Denmark
The jury highlighted Elisabeth Hofbeck for her clear and committed leadership within the Danish light rail sector, strengthening customer focus, operational quality and organisational development, while contributing to a more inclusive and resilient service environment.
Heidi Heikkilä – Finland
The jury highlighted Heidi Heikkilä for her leadership in one of the largest tramway procurements in the Nordic region, combining strategic direction with ethical governance and inclusive competence development, and for contributing to a more transparent and forward-looking sector.
Nordic Tram City of the Year
The winner of Nordic Tram City of the Year 2026 is Tampere.
The jury recognised Tampere for rapidly developing a tramway system that combines strong operational performance with innovation, urban development and future expansion, while creating a platform for continuous learning and collaboration through the Lyyli Living Lab.
Tampere’s work demonstrates how a modern tramway system can support reliable mobility today while creating space for innovation, collaboration and future urban development.
Safe & Secure Tram Award
The winner of the Safe & Secure Tram Award 2026 is the modernisation of the M31 tram fleet in Gothenburg, commissioned by Västtrafik.
The jury highlighted the project for demonstrating how an existing tram fleet can be thoughtfully renewed to meet modern standards of safety, accessibility and energy efficiency, while extending its service life and preserving both technical value and an important cultural symbol.
The project shows how long-term, resource-efficient solutions can strengthen safety and reliability while making better use of existing tramway assets.
Best Student Work Award
The winner of the Best Student Work Award 2026 is Stefan Eurenius.
The jury highlighted Stefan Eurenius for a practice-oriented and reflective thesis that brings attention to a critical yet often overlooked part of tramway infrastructure, and for contributing valuable knowledge that supports future development and knowledge sharing across the Nordic light rail sector.
We warmly congratulate all winners and thank the jury, nominees and everyone who contributed to the first edition of the Nordic Tram Award.
