The NEA Stakeholder Involvement Workshops (SIWS) are known for fostering active dialogue and collaboration amongst diverse stakeholders. The first of the series was held in 2017, with a focus on stakeholder involvement in nuclear decision making. The second edition in 2019 focused on risk communication.

The theme of the third workshop edition, held from 5-7 September 2023, was optimisation in decision making. The workshop was preceded by a series of preparatory webinars. Some 120 participants from 23 countries, including representatives from regulatory bodies, industry, academia, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), civil society organisations and indigenous communities, were in attendance. Participants considered the concepts, principles and values that can help to form a practical optimisation framework. An optimised decision was identified as a decision that is reached in an inclusive and holistic manner with a sustainable outcome. Significant progress was made over the three-day workshop through discussion on how to create a generic framework for optimising decisions in the nuclear sector, highlighting a number of areas for further consideration. 

The NEA recognises the importance of continuing its work on stakeholder involvement, which is a key topic, as outlined in its Strategic Plan 2023-2028, in this regard, setting the stage for the fourth edition of the NEA SIWS.

With the establishment of the NEA High-Level Group on Stakeholder Engagement, Trust, Transparency and Social Sciences (HLG-SET), which was launched to engage the senior policy level and cultivate a deeper understanding of the relations between the nuclear sector and civil society, there is an opportunity to maintain momentum and foster collaboration across diverse stakeholders. Synergies between the expertise and knowledge of these two groups will be essential in organising the fourth edition of the workshop.

In preparation for the Fourth Stakeholder Involvement Workshop, the NEA organised two preparatory webinars that explored key factors that contribute to power imbalances and their mitigation when engaging diverse stakeholders in nuclear decision making. Each webinar attracted approximately 50 participants, providing a forum for focused discussion to enhance understanding of the topic. A third webinar was held on 7 May 2025 to further equip participants with tools to support meaningful stakeholder engagement.

Please note that the agenda is provisional and subject to change.

The Fourth Stakeholder Involvement Workshop, held in Paris over a three-day period, focused on the practical application of approaches and tools in optimising decision making. Participants included representatives from government bodies, industry, academic and research institutions, NGOs, international organisations and civil society to foster a broad and inclusive dialogue.

The workshop was highly interactive, offering plenary sessions, opportunities for dialogue, breakout sessions and moderated panel discussions. Participants were invited to suggest practical case studies with approaches and tools for stakeholder engagement, building on trust and ensuring transparency. The outcomes were compiled into a report that will be publicly available.

Logistical information about the workshop venue and nearby hotels is available for download. 

An abstract booklet containing accepted case studies for the workshop is also available for download. 

If you have any queries, the NEA can be contacted at stakeholder2025@oecd-nea.org.