Practical recommendations for enhanced mechanisms of interaction between citizens, civil society, decision-makers, and researchers

The European project ECOSENS (“Economic and Social Considerations for the Future of Nuclear Energy in Society”) is a Coordination Support Action that aimed at providing a societal perspective on the development and use of existing and new nuclear technologies, in the context of major societal challenges: climate crisis, sustainable development and energy security.
The project carried out actions towards creating an inclusive space for dialogue and collaboration where researchers in social and natural sciences fields meet, exchange views and collaborate with civil society and other relevant stakeholders, in order to open up techno-scientific issues to the social, political, cultural and ethical context, and to guide policies in the nuclear field. ECOSENS explored in particular the societal dimensions of nuclear energy within broader energy transitions, with stakeholder engagement in nuclear energy governance as one focus point.
A key outcome was to formulate recommendations for enhanced interaction between citizens, civil society, decision-makers, and researchers in nuclear decision making and energy policy. Based on findings from desk research, public opinion research (quantitative and qualitative), case studies on stakeholder engagement, interdisciplinary dialogues, international workshops and panels, ECOSENS has drafted a set of recommendations for improved stakeholder engagement in nuclear decision making and energy policy.