HYPOP European Project Concludes, Strengthening Public Trust in Hydrogen

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The European project HYPOP (HYdrogen Public OPinion and acceptance), funded under Horizon Europe and supported by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, has come to an end after two years of work. Its purpose has been clear: to boost public trust and social acceptance of hydrogen by improving communication practices, safety approaches, and administrative procedures across Europe.

As a project partner, CNH2 contributed as one of the consortium’s research centres, bringing its expertise in hydrogen technologies and its engagement with key sector stakeholders. Coordinated by Environment Park (Envipark) and delivered by a consortium of eight partners from six European countries, HYPOP examined public perceptions of hydrogen, safety and certification frameworks, and bottlenecks in permitting and authorisation processes.

HYPOP: Present and Future

The project’s legacy is showcased on the official website (www.hypop-project.eu/) and across our social media channels. In essence, HYPOP has produced:

1. Four flagship guidance documents, tailored to:

  • Citizens and the general public, to foster informed participation and critical thinking about hydrogen, and to support the design and implementation of projects involving this energy vector;
  • First responders, including emergency services and law enforcement bodies involved both in permitting and in accident prevention/response;
  • Actors engaged in authorisation processes, ranging from public authorities (municipalities and licensing/authorising administrations) to manufacturers and engineering firms; and
  • Certification and standardisation bodies.

2. A communication and awareness-raising toolkit, including:

  • Short videos from the “HYPOP in Pills” series, which explain in accessible terms concepts such as hydrogen’s role, its applications, and examples of generators and fuel cells;
  • Explainer videos on safety, permitting, and certification in hydrogen projects; and
  • Supporting materials for workshops, webinars, and co-creation activities with citizens and institutional stakeholders.

These outputs draw on findings from surveys, citizen workshops, and stakeholder sessions held in several European countries, as well as on the establishment of a social life-cycle assessment (S-LCA) evaluation framework for mobility applications.

Closing Activities

To sustain momentum in hydrogen outreach and public engagement, the project marked its conclusion through two major closing events:

Final event at H2POLAND 2025, held in Poznań (Poland) in April last year, where HYPOP hosted a dedicated session on the adoption of hydrogen technologies, safety, and authorisation processes, in coordination with the Clean Hydrogen Partnership and other European actors.

The online workshop “Powering the Future: Building a Hydrogen Society in Europe”, held on 18 September 2025, which brought together public decision-makers, technical experts, and European organisations to share project lessons and present HYPOP’s toolkit.

HYPOP’s approach has also been highlighted in the feature “Building Trust in Hydrogen: How HYPOP is Shaping Europe’s Path to Safety and Public Acceptance”, published by The Hydrogen Standard, which underscores the project’s contribution to harmonising safety approaches, improving permitting processes, and communicating clearly with citizens.

With the project now completed, HYPOP’s guides and resources remain available to support public administrations, companies, sector stakeholders, and citizens in developing hydrogen projects that are more transparent, safer, and more people-centred.

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