Main achievements and impact of EURAD, the European Joint Programme on Radioactive Waste Management (2019–2024)

Abstract

Co-funded by the European Commission, EURAD has operated for 5 years and 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 together. Its main achievements are rooted in its governance structure, fostering interaction and collaboration among Waste Management Organisations, Technical Safety Organisations and Research Entities. A key success factor was the development and update of the Strategic Research Agenda and Roadmap, which guided efforts, addressed emerging challenges and ensured alignment across Member States. EURAD’s impact is highlighted by its comprehensive R&D framework, which covers the entire lifecycle of radioactive waste management. EURAD successfully advanced knowledge in various areas, including advanced waste treatment, geological disposal, and safety assessments. The programme also emphasised the importance of knowledge management, ensuring the transfer and preservation of expertise between waste management programmes and across generations through training, mobility, guidance and the publication of scientific resources, and making information more easily available. EURAD not only strengthened collaboration among EU Member States but also fostered international partnerships, significantly contributing to the global advancement of radioactive waste management. As EURAD concludes, its legacy will continue with EURAD-2, set to begin in October 2024, further building on the foundations laid by its predecessor.