Transdisciplinary workshop on regional development in the context of the site selection process for a final repository for high-level radioactive waste

How can regional development strategies support communities involved in the search for a nuclear waste repository site? What governance and participation formats foster trust, transparency, and long-term cooperation between regions, institutions, and society?

We cordially invite you to discuss these questions in a transdisciplinary workshop on regional development in the context of the site selection process for a final repository for high-level radioactive waste.

The objectives of the workshop are to discuss current practices and findings in participatory regional development and to reflect on the interim results of the research project ‘Concepts of regional development in large-scale projects in national and international comparison – lessons for the site selection process (KoRegio)’, which is being carried out by the Independent Institute for Environmental Issues (UfU) and the Öko-Institut on behalf of the Federal Office for the Safety of Nuclear Waste Management (BASE).

The workshop will take place on 22 and 23 January 2026 in Berlin. Please find the Agenda here.

The workshop will focus on international exchange on lessons learned, challenges and success factors in socio-economic regional development processes – particularly in the context of large infrastructure projects such as industrial plants, energy infrastructure or a final repository for high-level radioactive waste. Please find the workshop agenda attached! 

Together with experts from the administration, practitioners in regional development and scientists from various European countries, we would like to discuss how sustainable, participatory and resilient regional development can be achieved, based on practical examples and your experiences.