The public consultation process for the Future Circular Collider (FCC) project, which began in the spring, has just ended in France (on 1 October) and in Switzerland (on 2 October), following four months of interaction and dialogue with the local communities. The process consisted of two exercises tailored to each of CERN’s two Host States: a consultation exercise in Switzerland under the auspices of expert independent guarantors, and a public debate in France under the auspices of the Commission nationale du débat public (CNDP).

In total, more than 3500 registrations were received for the events organised and over 70 stakeholder submissions and 350 questions were submitted. The results of both exercises will be published in early December.

This public consultation, which is being carried out before the start of CERN’s decision-making process, was a voluntary move by the Organization and the first such initiative it has taken with its two Host States. The aim was twofold: to give the public a better understanding of the project, its timeline and its complexity, and to give CERN a better understanding of the views of the local communities. This approach was designed to give everyone the information they need to develop an informed opinion on the project, whether favourable, unfavourable or undecided.

For CERN, these interactions, which consisted of some sixty meetings and other public events, provided an important opportunity to listen to people and better grasp the questions, expectations and concerns of the local communities.

What now?

The results of the French and Swiss exercises will be published in early December. CERN will endeavour to issue a formal response by the beginning of March 2027, in particular on the follow-up actions that will form the basis of the future dialogue with local communities and authorities.

Following this step, CERN will enter into a phase of continuous consultation with the local communities in the lead-up to a decision by the CERN Council, made up of representatives of all its Member States, which is expected in 2028 at the earliest. If the project were to gain the Council’s approval, this decision would not constitute an actual authorisation to build, nor would it signal the end of the dialogue. The project would remain subject to French and Swiss procedures and authorisations, and another public consultation process might be organised for the next stages of the project.

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On 12 November, don’t miss the update session for members of the CERN community on the initial feedback from the public consultation process.
When: 12 November 2026, from 1.00 pm to 2.00 pm
Where: Georges Charpak Room (Room F) (60/6-015)
Link: https://indico.cern.ch/event/1739915/