UNLOCK shares insights on H2 economy with Green Hydra
Sofia, Bulgaria – The 2nd Interregional Event of the Interreg Europe project Green Hydra convened key stakeholders in Sofia to explore investment opportunities and challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the hydrogen sector. A central contribution to the event came from Dr. Beata Kviatek, Jean Monnet Chair in Sustainable EU Economy at the Centre of Expertise Energy ENTRANCE, Hanze University, and project leader of the "UNLOCK – Unlocking Green Hydrogen Economy for SMEs in European Regions" project, also funded within the Interreg Europe Program 2021-2027.
Dr. Kviatek, who joined the event remotely due to a simultaneous engagement at the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA) workshop at the University of Turin, delivered a comprehensive presentation on investment avenues for SMEs in the hydrogen sector. She highlighted the advantages of SME integration into the green hydrogen (H₂) supply chain while also addressing existing barriers and proposing solutions to overcome them. Dr. Kviatek emphasized the critical role of various stakeholders—including policymakers, industry leaders, funding bodies, research institutions, universities, and the broader community—in facilitating SME participation and ensuring a more inclusive and dynamic green hydrogen ecosystem.
A key feature of the event was the knowledge-sharing component between the Green Hydra and UNLOCK projects. Dr. Kviatek played a pivotal role in transferring insights from the UNLOCK project, focusing on strategic policies and best practices to enhance SME engagement in the green hydrogen transition. This cross-project collaboration was instrumental in fostering dialogue on practical interventions to support SME growth in the sector.
Special recognition was given to the Green Hydra team for organizing the event and enabling this valuable exchange of expertise. The commitment of all participants to advancing the green hydrogen transition was evident, reinforcing the importance of continued cooperation between regional authorities, industry representatives, and academic institutions.
Both the Green Hydra and UNLOCK projects continue to be at the forefront of shaping Europe’s sustainable energy landscape, addressing investment and policy challenges, and accelerating the continent’s transition to a green hydrogen economy.
Read also the news story at the Green Hydra project page: Green Hydra | "Upheaving the use of hydrogen involving SMEs" Sofia event | Interreg Europe