- 229 EU citizens participated in the HYPOP project public engagement events, voicing hopes, raising concerns, and co-developing ideas for a hydrogen-powered future.
- Six co-creation workshops (Ireland, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Bulgaria and Poland) and two international webinar events were hosted.
- After the workshops, agreement that “hydrogen is a safe energy source” jumped 17 points (from 51% to 68%); belief that it is “sustainable” rose to 82%.
- Hands-on demos and community workshops were ranked as the most effective ways to learn about hydrogen (64% and 45% of respondents, respectively).
- The new HYPOP report distils practical lessons that will feed directly into EU guidelines for inclusive hydrogen roll‑outs later this year.
- Recordings of the co-creation workshops are available on request.
- A video playlist of both the international webinar events is available on YouTube here.
Europe needs the public on board if hydrogen is to live up to its promise of cleaner air, energy security and industrial growth. That is why the HYPOP (HYdrogen Public Opinion and accePtance) project consortium spent the past winter engaging with EU citizens, co‑creating the future of hydrogen from Ireland to Bulgaria.
Between November 2024 and April 2025, the EU-funded HYPOP project (www.hypop-project.eu) hosted six national co-creation workshops and two international webinars. Participants ranged from secondary school pupils and firefighters to engineers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers. Together they questioned costs and safety, imagined hydrogen bus networks, and even drafted fictional front‑page stories set in a 2050 hydrogen city. The whole story of these engagements is captured in the Public Engagement Activities report, published today.
On 23 March 2025, the RIGP team convened 35 participants (25 women and 10 men, ages 16–37) at WSB Merito University in Gdynia, Poland, for a hands-on session exploring hydrogen’s role in the energy transition. Photo: RIGP
Key public insights from HYPOP
Having discussed hydrogen energy with Europeans from various walks of life, it is clear that scepticism and misconceptions about hydrogen energy are waning. However, citizens still expect transparent actions and clear communication from politicians and policymakers regarding the planned hydrogen infrastructure.
In short:
- Seeing is believing – Once people see how hydrogen is produced and handled, confidence rises sharply: post‑event surveys show a 17‑point increase in the share of participants calling hydrogen “safe”.
- Show, don’t tell – Nearly two‑thirds of respondents chose hands‑on demonstrations and exhibitions as the best way to understand hydrogen, well ahead of webinars or newsletters.
- Local benefits matter – Citizens support hydrogen for improved air quality, job creation and energy independence, but demand transparency on costs and emissions.
- Youth are engaged – 33% of participants were students; high schools in Bulgaria have already requested follow-up sessions from HYPOP to design their own “hydrogen valleys”.
Why it matters
The EU aims to produce 10 Mt of renewable hydrogen by 2030. HYPOP shows how public engagement can make or break support:
- Prioritise experiential outreach – Mobile demo labs, bus pilots and open days at electrolyser sites are more persuasive than slide decks.
- Be transparent on infrastructure and water use – Citizens need clear data on sourcing, safety and emissions.
- Keep co‑creating – Participants who helped shape scenarios were twice as likely to say their views were “heard and valued”, laying the groundwork for smoother permitting later.
The Spanish workshop was held in-person on 5 February 2025 at Espacio Serendipia in Ciudad Real. The session was facilitated by CNH2 and gathered 21 citizens from diverse backgrounds. Photo: CNH2
The recently published report now feeds into HYPOP’s forthcoming Guidelines for Public Engagement on Hydrogen Technologies, due this autumn, ensuring that Europe’s hydrogen roll‑out is people‑centred from day one.
“Citizens are ready to support hydrogen, once their concerns on cost, safety and sustainability are addressed,” said Daniela Martin, Director of Communications for the Institute for Methods Innovation (IMI), one of the HYPOP partner organisations leading the project’s public engagement efforts. “Our workshops show that public trust grows with openness, and people want to be part of the transition.”
Media interviews
Ilaria Schiavi
HYPOP Coordinator | ENVI Park
ilaria.schiavi[at]envipark.com
T +39 0112257534
Marianna Franchino
HYPOP Project Manager | ENVI Park
marianna.franchino[at]envipark.com
T +39 0112257534
Media release issued by:
Dr Fanie van Rooyen
Research and Communications Consultant
IMI (HYPOP partner)
fanie[at]methodsinnovation.org
On behalf of:
The HYPOP project
About HYPOP
HYPOP (HYdrogen Public Opinion and accePtance) is a Horizon Europe project (Grant 101111933) that combines social science, life‑cycle assessment and creative public engagement to help Europe introduce renewable hydrogen in a way that is socially acceptable, environmentally sound and economically just. Learn more at www.hypop-project.eu.
About the Institute for Methods Innovation (IMI)
Founded in 2017, the Institute for Methods Innovation (methodsinnovation.org) is a scientific, charitable, and non-profit institute working internationally to advance the use of evidence in real-world decision-making. We specialise in practical research and evaluation methods that support learning, strategy, and impact across various fields, including policy, education, science communication, and public engagement. Through expert-led training, collaborative research, and tailored support, we help our partners apply evidence to design more effective programs, engage communities, and assess what works. Our team brings deep expertise in social science, participatory methods, and evaluation, helping others build their capacity to use evidence with confidence. For more information, visit www.methodsinnovation.org.
