Make the voice of the clean hydrogen community heard!
The consultation seeks evidence, experience and views on the role and functioning of Treaty-based European Partnerships, including their contribution to EU competitiveness, technological leadership and the clean transition, as well as how their design and implementation could be improved.
We strongly encourage all members of the clean hydrogen community - including beneficiaries, industry partners, research organisations, SMEs, Hydrogen Valleys, public authorities, investors and associations - to respond to the consultation through the European Commission’s Have Your Say portal - either in an individual capacity or on behalf of their organisation - by 16 October 2026 (midnight Brussels time).
Evidence-based information
The consultation is an important opportunity for stakeholders to help shape the next generation of European Partnerships under the future EU research and innovation framework programme for 2028–2034.
To support stakeholders preparing their contributions, the Clean Hydrogen JU has made available for the recent Call for Evidence a short guidance document containing evidence, data and key messages which are as well particularly relevant to Part 1 of the current public consultation.
In addition, and taking into consideration the latest sector developments, a new document was developed on the possible scope and the need for a Treaty-based clean hydrogen and derivatives JU under the next EU research and innovation framework, which is relevant to Part 2 of the consultation.
Find here the document with more information about the Clean Hydrogen JU
Key messages at a glance
| Strategic alignment | The Clean Hydrogen JU has evolved alongside—and contributed to—major EU priorities and policies, including the EU Hydrogen Strategy, REPowerEU, the Net-Zero Industry Act, the Clean Industrial Deal and the Competitiveness Compass. |
| Innovation to deployment | The JU supports the full innovation chain. More than 60% of its funding is dedicated to high-TRL demonstrations, including Hydrogen Valleys, electrolysers, mobility applications and other flagship projects bringing clean hydrogen solutions closer to the market. |
| Investment leverage | The JU model mobilises substantial private and additional investment. Hydrogen Valleys demonstrate particularly strong leverage, with beneficiaries investing approximately EUR 3.94 for every EUR 1 of JU funding. |
| Synergies and knowledge | The JU connects Horizon Europe with instruments such as the Connecting Europe Facility, Innovation Fund and European Innovation Council, as well as other Joint Undertakings, national and regional programmes and international initiatives. It also consolidates knowledge that can support evidence-based policymaking. |
| Openness | The JU operates through open and competitive calls and reaches well beyond its membership base. More than 55% of its Horizon Europe funding benefits organisations that are not members of its private partners. |
| Value of a Treaty-based JU | A dedicated JU provides stable multiannual governance, operational capacity, accountability for public and private commitments and sector-wide coordination. This allows clean hydrogen (and lately also its derivatives) research, demonstration and deployment needs to be addressed through a coherent long-term strategy rather than through disconnected programme activities. |
Why Joint Undertakings matter
Joint Undertakings bring together the European Union, industry, research organisations, Member States, regions and all other stakeholders along the value-chain around shared strategic priorities.
This model enables long-term collaboration and commitment and mobilises investment, expertise and capabilities on a scale that no single actor could achieve alone.
For clean hydrogen and derivatives, the Joint Undertaking model provides the continuity, coordination and sector-specific focus needed to advance technologies and markets across the entire value chain. By bringing the European Commission, industry and the research community together within a stable governance structure, the JU can:
- align continuously the research and innovation priorities with evolving EU policy and market needs;
- develop and manage a coherent portfolio of activities over time, beyond grants support and for the benefit of entire sector;
- connect individual projects and results in a sectoral approach;
- support progress from research and demonstration towards deployment and investment; and
- build a strong European clean hydrogen ecosystem.
Why a Treaty-based JU rather than a programme-based partnership?
A Treaty-based Joint Undertaking offers several advantages that would be difficult to reproduce through any other governance models and/or partnerships.
“Europe must now turn its clean hydrogen research and innovation strengths into industrial scale, investment and lasting competitiveness. As our papers make clear, this requires more than a funding programme: it requires a dedicated, evolving Treaty-based partnership capable of connecting research, demonstration, deployment and market uptake. I encourage the entire clean hydrogen and derivatives community to respond to the consultation and help shape a strong European framework for the sector’s future.”
— Valérie Bouillon-Delporte, Executive Director, Clean Hydrogen Partnership
- As an autonomous EU body with dedicated governance and operational capacity, a JU can provide long-term strategic direction, transparent decision-making and clear accountability for public and private commitments. Its stable governance structure which can build on the existing Clean Hydrogen JU structure gives the European Commission, industry and the research community a direct role in setting priorities and monitoring progress of research and innovation.
- Such a dedicated structure would also allow to integrate Member States and regions, hence allowing synergies by design with national and regional programmes, and facilitate the alignment of research agendas including the possible combination of funding.
- This also enables the future JU to respond to the specific needs of the clean hydrogen sector, coordinate a complex portfolio across the value chain and sustain cooperation beyond individual calls or projects.
- It can continue to provide a stronger framework for mobilising and monitoring private contributions, developing synergies with other funding instruments and preserving knowledge and expertise over successive programming periods.
- Any other possible governance models such as a work-programme-based partnership could support individual research priorities, but would not be bale to provide the same degree of dedicated governance, operational capacity, long-term commitment or sector-wide coordination. These characteristics are continously important and needed for clean hydrogen and lately also its derivatives, where technologies, infrastructure, regulation, supply chains, skills and investment must progress together.
Participate in the consultation through the European Commission’s Have Your Say portal. Contributions may be submitted in an individual capacity or on behalf of an organisation. Deadline: 16 October 2026 (midnight Brussels time).
- Publication date
- 16 September 2026
- Author
- Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking