The European Museum Forum (EMF) is an independent not-for-profit organisation which is a registered charitable company in the UK. It is dedicated to promoting innovation in museum practice in Europe and encouraging the exchange of best practice and ideas. It organises workshops and networks to foster exchange of information and good relations between museum professionals and museum volunteers and supporters. The EMF works through dialogue and consultation with a system of regular renewal and succession-planning to ensure that the organization always reflects the needs and aspirations of the contemporary museum community throughout Europe with internationally experienced and respected members. It cherishes the public engagement of museums and it recognises excellence through a scheme of awards of which the principal is the European Museum of the Year Award (EMYA). Museums considered for awards are judged in accordance with clear criteria in a process of independent peer review. In 2011 the EMF has launched two new awards - the Silletto Prize which recognises community involvement and the role of volunteers in museums, and the Kenneth Hudson Award to celebrate conspicuous originality and ingenuity in public engagement. The Kenneth Hudson award is named in honour of the founder of EMF whose guiding principles still form part of the EMF mission.