Involving interested parties in every stage of the life cycle of nuclear facilities is essential to enhance mutual trust on issues related to nuclear energy production. Beyond the groups traditionally involved in the decision making process, such as the nuclear industry, scientific bodies and relevant national and local governmental institutions, the concept of stakeholders also includes the media, the public, local communities and non-governmental organizations. Often questioning former communication practices, the information and participation of stakeholders now relies on a number of relatively new principles. While acknowledging the existence of different national approaches, this publication proposes a route to effective stakeholder involvement throughout the main phases of the life cycle of nuclear facilities (i.e. construction, operation, radioactive waste management, decommissioning) and the use of up-to-date methods to implement stakeholder involvement programmes.