The HYPOP project, funded by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, has successfully advanced its mission to increase public awareness and trust in hydrogen technologies and their broader societal benefits.
Over the course of the project, partners focused on improving how citizens, consumers, and key stakeholders are engaged in the deployment of fuel cell and hydrogen (FCH) technologies. This included the development of practical guidelines and best practices, as well as the launch of a dedicated digital platform and social media presence featuring accessible communication materials, particularly video content, on emerging hydrogen solutions.
HYPOP’s activities spanned a wide range of European countries, including Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy, Poland, and Spain, alongside frontrunner nations such as France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, and several EU-13 countries. The project engaged two main target groups: the general public - including citizens, consumers, and communication experts - and key stakeholders such as first responders, permitting authorities, certification bodies, and policymakers.
Following a four-month extension, the project has successfully achieved all its objectives and delivered a range of impactful results.
Key achievements
Among its most significant outcomes, HYPOP has:
- Developed a comprehensive set of guidelines and good practices to support effective stakeholder and citizen engagement in hydrogen technologies. These include one guide focused on public engagement and three tailored to key stakeholder groups.
- Contributed to the development of social indicators for assessing hydrogen technologies through Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA), with applications in residential energy and mobility sectors.
- Launched a user-friendly web platform featuring two key sections: the H2 Projects Showcase, highlighting hydrogen initiatives across Europe, and the HYPOP Toolkit, providing access to guidelines, communication materials, and engagement resources for professionals, educators, policymakers, and civil society.
Communication and outreach
The project implemented an extensive communication strategy, including regular website updates, social media campaigns on platforms such as LinkedIn and YouTube, and the production of videos and infographics. HYPOP partners also participated in conferences, workshops, and industry events, while collaborating with other EU-funded initiatives. The project concluded with a final stakeholder workshop.
Ensuring long-term impact
To maximise the uptake of its results, HYPOP developed a strategic exploitation plan outlining clear pathways for future use. Nine Key Exploitable Results (KERs) were identified, ranging from digital tools and stakeholder databases to communication resources and methodological innovations such as S-LCA indicators.
Overall, HYPOP is expected to have a lasting impact on the European hydrogen sector by supporting more inclusive and effective public engagement, while equipping key actors with the tools and knowledge needed to promote hydrogen technologies across Europe.