R4.05/03 Centre for Governmental and Public Awareness and Acceptance of Radwaste Management Issues in the Murmansk Region (ref AP 7.1.4.2.3)

The largest concentration of “unacceptable” stored operating and dismantled nuclear reactors, operating and to be dismantled nuclear submarines, 7 nuclear ice-breakers and 1 nuclear transport vessel, other nuclear facilities, spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste in the Russian Federation exists in the Murmansk Region. Subsequent to the signing of the Multilateral Nuclear Environmental Programme (MNEPR) Agreement extensive international efforts to support the Russian Federation to manage this situation will be initiated and a number of investment projects will be implemented.
The successful implementation of these projects will require approval and acceptance from the local Authorities, the public and other groups. The Russian organisations involved need to improve the communication with the public and there are at present no focal point for getting relevant and reliable information about the situation and current and planned projects. In connection with the initiation of the bilateral Russian – Swedish (SIP) projects at Andreeva Bay, the Swedish International Project Nuclear Safety initiated a pilot project with the objective to transfer knowledge on modern western information/communication techniques. This pilot project has met acceptance from the local Authorities, which accept the need for a centre for this kind of information. The TACIS financed Lepse defuelling project would also benefit from this Information Centre.

The overall objective is building trust for the whole nuclear waste program so that all necessary measures can be carried out with general public acceptance and support. For this purpose, a Public Information Centre, of which this project is an integrated part, is the urgently needed focal point for the information about the radwaste management issues going on in the Murmansk region (in particular the remediation activities) and nuclear and radiation safety improvement issues of all the nuclear facilities in the Region.
The establishment of the Information Centre will contribute to:
- The understanding and the acceptance of the population of the Radwaste Management activities for the improvement of the radiation and nuclear safety in the Murmansk Region.
- The building up of the awareness of the public and the authorities about the related projects
- The support from the Regional Authorities for other TACIS, G8, Bilateral and EBRD NDEP Nuclear window projects in the Region.

Establishment of the Centre at suitable premises centrally located in Murmansk, to be used as office and for meetings, exhibitions and seminars.
Provision of a Russian speaking Western expert to give general support to set up the Centre and give basic local training in “building trust”, information technology and information practice.
Training of local staff both abroad and in Murmansk
The conduct of seminars and exhibitions, at appropriate level with the help of experts, for the government, local authorities, the press and the public
Production of information material such as press releases posters, printed material and hands-on material. Production of films with the help of local companies/TV stations
Study of public perception, interviews with stakeholders and the implementation of public polls with the help of local institutes
Development of a strategy and an action plan (the more limited information strategy for Andreeva Bay under development within the Swedish bilateral project is used as input).