UNLOCK

Many regions across Europe are developing or preparing to establish local green hydrogen economies, the so-called hydrogen valleys, which include initiatives for smart and green mobility, circular economy, and climate adaptation. Most of these hydrogen valleys are led by industry, whereas participation of SMEs is rather limited. Moreover, it seems that local SMEs are not aware of opportunities or possible challenges that open up with development of local hydrogen economies.

Policy authorities can play an important role in both making SMEs aware of new opportunities and facilitating the participation of SMEs in local green hydrogen economies, that is, by unlocking the potential of regional hydrogen economies for SMEs. By adjusting and improving existing regional policy instruments with regard to developing new economic realities – the local green hydrogen economy – the regional public authorities will enhance sustainable growth, competitiveness of SMEs and job creation in SMEs.

The established consortium represents European regions that share the common regional development issue of sustainable growth, SMEs competitiveness and job creation within SMEs in the fast-developing regional green H2 economies. The consortium, consisting of responsible policy authorities, universities and relevant stakeholders from different European regions developing local green H2 economies, aims at improving regional policy instruments aiming at enhancement of sustainable growth, SMEs competitiveness and job creation within SMEs.

By sharing experiences and engaging in common learning activities, the regions, together with relevant stakeholders and supported by expertise of involved universities, will identify good policy practices and draw policy lessons for enhancement of sustainable growth, SMEs competitiveness and job creation within SMEs in the rapidly developing green H2 economies.