23 January 2025
The UNLOCK project, led by Hanze University will bring together partners and stakeholders in the beautiful city of Bari, Italy, on February 5th and 6th, 2025, for the 4th Interregional Event and Study Visit. This important event will focus on regional policy improvements aimed at developing the green hydrogen community in the Puglia Region, with particular emphasis on the vital role of SMEs in advancing the region’s green hydrogen economy.
During the study visit, participants will take part in a varied program that will provide opportunity to work together and share insights, but also to offer inspiration.
The two-day event will highlight the key topics: opportunities for sustainable economic growth, the integration of SMEs in green hydrogen production, transmission, and the potential for job creation within the sector.
During the first day a versatile and dynamic workshops topics will take place on the regional hydrogen strategy in Puglia – #H2Puglia2030; on how to overcome regulatory barriers and engage SMEs in sustainable development and also to focus on research and innovations in hydrogen production.
An important part of the day will be a roundtable discussion titled Hydrogen Valleys for the Green Hydrogen Supply Chain where regional directors, experts and partners of the UNLOCK project will discuss strategies to empower SMEs in fostering sustainable growth within hydrogen valleys and the importance of working together, learning from each other and sharing the experiences.
Participants will conclude a day with a site visit to the Isotta Fraschini Motori green hydrogen plant in Brindisi, a prime example of industrial symbiosis in action.
On the second day a Partner Progress Meeting and the Peer Review Session are planned. UNLOCK project partners and stakeholders will share updates on their policy instruments and stakeholder engagement activities. These sessions will provide an invaluable opportunity for partners to come together, exchange experiences and discuss good practices. By sharing insights participants will get the opportunity to reflect on their learning experiences, discuss achieved results, and provide constructive feedback on policy solutions.
The Steering Committee (SC) will also convene to review and monitor progress towards the project’s objectives.
A closing visit to the AS Labruna facility in Monopoli will showcase SME innovation in green hydrogen technologies, specifically within the recreational boating industry.
The UNLOCK project’s mission is to improve regional policy instruments to drive sustainable economic growth, enhance SME competitiveness, and create jobs within Europe’s emerging green hydrogen economies.
The event will emphasize the critical role of regional policies, the growth potential for SMEs, the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing among UNLOCK stakeholders and partners to drive the success of the project.
With all activities the UNLOCK project is closer to achieving its objectives: improving regional policy instruments to enhance sustainable growth, SMEs competitiveness, and job creation within SMEs in the rapidly developing regional green hydrogen economies.
For more information about UNLOCK project please contact Dr Beata Kviatek, UNLOCK project leader and Jean Monnet Chair in Sustainable EU Economy.
