The following impacts were identified before JOPRAD starts, and are still relevant:
• Further integrate the interested research community ;
• Hence help to maintain and develop the EU leadership in knowledge and expertise for innovative radioactive waste management solutions that effectively matches public expectations;
• Further reinforce and make the interaction at EU level between WMOs, TSOs, industry, policy makers and the research community more effective, which is of particular importance for implementing solutions for radioactive waste management, including geological disposal;
• Build/increase competence and disseminate knowledge efficiently and provide guidance to planning and optimising less advanced disposal programmes;
• Increase competence of all actors and the increase of knowledge and overall level of competence is expected to lead to technological improvements;
• Involve stakeholders in the definition of research key objectives and in the decision-making processes.
By identifying the RD&D actors in the field of RWM – WMOs, TSOs, REs - and engaging them in the process of developing a shared Vision and Strategic Research Agenda, and by actively engaging Civil Society Stakeholders, JOPRAD has demonstrated the feasibility of creating such a Joint Programme in the field of RWM.
Based on this positive achievement, EC confirmed its willingness to co-fund such a Joint Programme and a dedicated topic is included in the EURATOM WP2018 call that has been published one month before the end of JOPRAD, in October 2017 (indicative EC available budget for 5 years: 28-32,5M€).
The outputs of the work carried out within WP5 constitute the necessary founding basis, developed up to an advanced status of readiness for use for the Mandated Actors, for the implementation and functioning of a European Joint research Programme in radioactive waste management including disposal.
More specifically JOPRAD paved the way for the main Joint Programme founding documents that are JP, Vision, SRA, Roadmap and Governance and implementation mechanisms