This week, between 3 and 5 February 2026, experts from across Europe are gathering for the 33rd European Fusion Programme Workshop (EFPW) co-organized by the Ruđer Bošković Institute (RBI) and EUROfusion. The workshop is a high-level scientific meeting dedicated to one of fusion energy’s most demanding challenges: handling heat and particle exhaust in future power plants.
The workshop was opened by Dr Radovan Fuchs, Croatia’s Minister of Science, Education and Youth, who emphasised that, through the strong engagement of Croatian scientists, the country is firmly embedded in the European fusion research ecosystem and committed to its long-term goals. “Croatia’s participation in the European fusion programme is an important way to strengthen our research capacities and to contribute responsibly to Europe’s shared energy future.”
“We are proud that the Ruđer Bošković Institute coordinates Croatia’s participation in European fusion activities and that, together with Spain, we are committed to the IFMIF-DONES progress,” said Dr David Matthew Smith, Director General of the Ruđer Bošković Institute (RBI). “These are major opportunities for both science and industry in Croatia, from companies developing cranes and heavy equipment to those working on advanced materials and high technology. That is why RBI is making strategic investments in national infrastructure. Last month, as part of our infrastructure project, we installed a new accelerator and upgraded the system to provide our scientists with an even stronger platform for research and international collaboration.”
The open ceremony included further remarks from the host Tonči Tadić (RBI, Head of Research Unit), Elisabeth Wolfrum (Chair of the EUROfusion Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee) and Gianfranco Federici (EUROfusion Programme Manager).
“I look forward to participating to this important Workshop on Heat and Particle Exhaust that play a pivotal role in the design and operation of fusion power plants. I attended a workshop on the same topic organised in Ericeira (Portugal) in 2012, and I am eager to learn about the advancements in Europe in this area thanks to a well-focussed program involving several enthusiastic scientists and engineers” – Gianfranco Federici, Programme Manager of EUROfusion.
“Power and particle exhaust is one of the key challenges on the path to fusion energy. No single device or country can solve it alone. Europe’s strength lies in combining different machines, expertise, and perspectives, and in addressing this challenge through rigorous science rather than quick promises. This workshop is about building solutions based on facts, evidence, and collaboration.” – Prof.Dr. Elisabeth Wolfrum, Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics, Chair of the EUROfusion Scientific and Technology Advisory Committee.
Held every year, the EFPW brings together specialists from EUROfusion, ITER- and DEMO-related projects, and laboratories in EU Member States, Switzerland, Norway, and the UK. The workshop is a key moment in the calendar where the European fusion community aligns its research priorities and takes stock of recent scientific and technical progress.
The focus of this year’s edition is heat and particle exhaust – a topic that sits at the heart of fusion power plant design and operation. Managing extreme heat and particle loads in a reactor is essential to protect the walls of the device, extend component lifetimes, and ensure reliable power production. Over the course of the workshop, participants are discussing plasma-wall interactions, advanced divertor solutions, new materials, and integrated power plant concepts that can cope with these demanding conditions.
Throughout the week, scientists and engineers are comparing results from a wide range of devices and facilities, identifying common priorities, and defining next steps for the EUROfusion programme. By combining detailed experiments, advanced modelling, and innovative engineering, EFPW 2026 is helping to shape Europe’s path from experimental fusion devices to functional power plants.
As discussions continue, the workshop underlines a clear message: progress on power and particle exhaust will depend on sustained collaboration, shared infrastructure, and a long-term, evidence-based approach. EFPW provides the platform where that collaboration takes shape – and where the next steps on the road to fusion energy are mapped out together.
