Periodic Reporting for period 5 - EURAD (European Joint Programme on Radioactive Waste Management)
Berichtszeitraum: 2023-06-01 bis 2024-05-31
The aim is to implement a joint Strategic Programme of research and knowledge management activities at the European level, bringing together and complementing EU Member State programmes in order to ensure cutting-edge knowledge creation and preservation in view of delivering safe, sustainable and publicly acceptable solutions for the management of radioactive waste across Europe now and in the future. EURAD coordinates activities on agreed priorities of common interest between European Waste, Management Organisations, Technical Support Organisations and Research Entities.
EURAD will generate and manage knowledge to support EU Member States with their implementation of the Directive 2011/70/Euratom, taking into account the different magnitudes and stages of advancement of Member State National Programmes.
From this, these high-level objectives, EURAD has established the following specific objectives:
- Develop, maintain and consolidate the scientific and technical basis of safe radioactive waste management;
- Address important and complex issues and enable expert networking;
- Enhance knowledge management and transfer between organisations, Member-States and generations;
- Engage with Civil Society.
EURAD will generate and manage knowledge to support EU Member States with their implementation of the Directive 2011/70/Euratom, taking into account the different magnitudes and stages of advancement of Member State National Programmes.
From this, these high-level objectives, EURAD has established the following specific objectives:
- Develop, maintain and consolidate the scientific and technical basis of safe radioactive waste management;
- Address important and complex issues and enable expert networking;
- Enhance knowledge management and transfer between organisations, Member-States and generations;
- Engage with Civil Society.
In the final year of EURAD, efforts were intensively concentrated on producing all deliverables, culminating in a comprehensive showcase of the programme's impact. This focused approach ensured that every objective and milestone set forth at the beginning was meticulously addressed and achieved. The documents produced, encompassing detailed reports, State-of-the-Arts and impactful publications, collectively illustrated the programme's successes and contributions. This concerted effort not only highlighted the tangible outcomes and advancements made but also provided a compelling narrative of progress and accomplishment. All those served as a testament to EURAD’s effectiveness, providing clear evidence of its value and influence within the radioactive waste management field. This emphasis on finalizing and presenting deliverables reinforced the programme's legacy and paved the way for future initiatives and continued success.
By continuously advancing the State-of-the-Arts, the programme ensured that it remains at the cutting-edge of innovation and relevance, fostering an environment of excellence and progressive thought. This commitment to staying current drives the generation of new knowledge, as reflected in an increased number of publications, including a special edition for 8 State-of-the-Arts, 17 Domain Insights documents which in turn elevates EURAD academic and professional reputation.
During the last year, the training opportunities were also expanded, not only by providing more opportunities and financing via the mobility programme but also by producing more trainings directly linked to EURAD work packages. Those opportunities benefited not only the individuals involved but also contributed to the broader RWM field by disseminating advanced methodologies and best practices, thereby driving collective progress and setting new standards of achievement.
The active collaboration with other projects like PREDIS but also international organisations (mostly IAEA and NEA) remained a priority during the last year of the programme. It allowed to nurture a dynamic exchange of ideas, resources, and expertise, which fosters a sense of community. All work-packages organized a workshop during the last year to showcase their results. Such as the EURAD final event, those workshops contribute to showcase the latest research and facilitate critical discussions on current challenges and future directions. These events do not only amplify EURAD’s visibility and influence but also create invaluable networking opportunities for participants, fostering collaborations that can lead to new projects, and advancements in the field. By continuously promoting such collaborative efforts and high-profile events, EURAD demonstrated its commitment to leadership, scientific excellence, public confidence and awareness, knowledge dissemination, and the continuous growth of its academic and professional community.
After five years EURAD has successfully achieved a step-change towards a more effective and efficient use of public funding in Europe by bringing the European waste management community and its experts together, and a deepening of research and cooperation between Member States. It has delivered a joint strategic programme of research and knowledge management activities at the European level, bringing together and complementing EU Member State programmes in order to ensure cutting-edge knowledge creation and preservation in view of delivering safe, sustainable and publicly acceptable solutions for the management of radioactive waste across Europe now and in the future.
By continuously advancing the State-of-the-Arts, the programme ensured that it remains at the cutting-edge of innovation and relevance, fostering an environment of excellence and progressive thought. This commitment to staying current drives the generation of new knowledge, as reflected in an increased number of publications, including a special edition for 8 State-of-the-Arts, 17 Domain Insights documents which in turn elevates EURAD academic and professional reputation.
During the last year, the training opportunities were also expanded, not only by providing more opportunities and financing via the mobility programme but also by producing more trainings directly linked to EURAD work packages. Those opportunities benefited not only the individuals involved but also contributed to the broader RWM field by disseminating advanced methodologies and best practices, thereby driving collective progress and setting new standards of achievement.
The active collaboration with other projects like PREDIS but also international organisations (mostly IAEA and NEA) remained a priority during the last year of the programme. It allowed to nurture a dynamic exchange of ideas, resources, and expertise, which fosters a sense of community. All work-packages organized a workshop during the last year to showcase their results. Such as the EURAD final event, those workshops contribute to showcase the latest research and facilitate critical discussions on current challenges and future directions. These events do not only amplify EURAD’s visibility and influence but also create invaluable networking opportunities for participants, fostering collaborations that can lead to new projects, and advancements in the field. By continuously promoting such collaborative efforts and high-profile events, EURAD demonstrated its commitment to leadership, scientific excellence, public confidence and awareness, knowledge dissemination, and the continuous growth of its academic and professional community.
After five years EURAD has successfully achieved a step-change towards a more effective and efficient use of public funding in Europe by bringing the European waste management community and its experts together, and a deepening of research and cooperation between Member States. It has delivered a joint strategic programme of research and knowledge management activities at the European level, bringing together and complementing EU Member State programmes in order to ensure cutting-edge knowledge creation and preservation in view of delivering safe, sustainable and publicly acceptable solutions for the management of radioactive waste across Europe now and in the future.
EURAD will generate and manage knowledge to support EU Member-States with the Directive 2011/70/Euratom, and more specifically with the development and implementation of their national RD&D programmes for the safe long-term management of their full range of different types of radioactive waste.
More specifically, EURAD will:
- Support compliance with European regulations – by supporting Member-States in implementing RD&D, developing skills and providing for transparency in order to develop solutions for their radioactive waste
- Support passive safety of radioactive waste – by contributing to the responsible and safe management of radioactive waste in Europe,
- Help to gain or maintain public confidence and awareness in radioactive waste management - by fostering transparency, credibility and scientific excellence;
- Support radioactive waste management innovation and optimisation – by supporting the development of solutions for different waste streams and types and continuously improving and optimising waste management routes and disposal solutions,
- Contribute to addressing scientific/technical challenges and evolving regulatory concerns – by prioritising activities of high common interest, and creating conditions for cross fertilization, interaction and mutual understanding between different Joint Programme contributors and participants;
- Enhance knowledge transfer to early stage programmes – by providing an opportunity for less advanced programmes, to benefit from the cross-European integration in radioactive waste management;
- Foster efficient use of the RD&D resources at the EU level - by sharing and advancing existing knowledge, facilities and infrastructure rather than repeating and duplicating efforts; and
- Foster a better transfer of knowledge across generations of experts – by helping to bridge the risk of shortage of the skilled, multidisciplinary human resources and critical infrastructure needed to develop, assess, license and operate RWM facilities, in view of the long lead-times and the intergenerational operational time-spans.
More specifically, EURAD will:
- Support compliance with European regulations – by supporting Member-States in implementing RD&D, developing skills and providing for transparency in order to develop solutions for their radioactive waste
- Support passive safety of radioactive waste – by contributing to the responsible and safe management of radioactive waste in Europe,
- Help to gain or maintain public confidence and awareness in radioactive waste management - by fostering transparency, credibility and scientific excellence;
- Support radioactive waste management innovation and optimisation – by supporting the development of solutions for different waste streams and types and continuously improving and optimising waste management routes and disposal solutions,
- Contribute to addressing scientific/technical challenges and evolving regulatory concerns – by prioritising activities of high common interest, and creating conditions for cross fertilization, interaction and mutual understanding between different Joint Programme contributors and participants;
- Enhance knowledge transfer to early stage programmes – by providing an opportunity for less advanced programmes, to benefit from the cross-European integration in radioactive waste management;
- Foster efficient use of the RD&D resources at the EU level - by sharing and advancing existing knowledge, facilities and infrastructure rather than repeating and duplicating efforts; and
- Foster a better transfer of knowledge across generations of experts – by helping to bridge the risk of shortage of the skilled, multidisciplinary human resources and critical infrastructure needed to develop, assess, license and operate RWM facilities, in view of the long lead-times and the intergenerational operational time-spans.