23 september 2025
The Interreg Europe project UNLOCK – Unlocking Green Hydrogen Economy for SMEs in European Regions (UNLOCK), led by Entrance – Centre of Expertise Energy of Hanze, will take the spotlight at the upcoming Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform workshops, titled “Policies for People and Places”, held in Amsterdam on 12 and 13 November 2025. The event will bring together policymakers, experts, and project leaders from across Europe to explore how regional policies can better serve people and places through innovation and collaboration.
The workshops will be officially opened by Femke Halsema, Mayor of Amsterdam, alongside a representative from the Interreg Europe programme. A keynote address will be delivered by Gert-Jan Nieuwenhuizen, Managing Director of the Port of Amsterdam, focusing on “Hydrogen Powering the Future”—a theme that resonates strongly with the UNLOCK project’s mission.
Representing UNLOCK, Dr. Katia Chiriatti from DITNE (Italian National Energy Technological Cluster) will present a good practice during Thematic Session 1: EU Value Chains as Drivers of Economic Development. Her presentation will highlight the establishment of a regional hub for a cohesive, scalable green hydrogen ecosystem in Puglia, Italy.
This initiative, supported by the Region of Puglia, aims to decarbonise heavy industries such as steel and chemicals through the production and distribution of green hydrogen. The hub integrates renewable energy sources, industrial symbiosis, and digital monitoring systems, while fostering collaboration among public authorities, industry, and research institutions. It exemplifies how regional leadership can drive economic resilience, job creation, and climate goals by strengthening local value chains and reducing external dependencies. More about this UNLOCK project good practice—on Interreg Europe Web Platform: A regional hub for a cohesive, scalable green hydrogen ecosystem
Participants of the workshop will also take part in a study visit to H2A – Hydrogen to Amsterdam, a consortium of local and international partners working to import and distribute green hydrogen via the Port of Amsterdam. The port’s strategic location and infrastructure make it a key gateway for hydrogen distribution across Northwest Europe.
On the second day, the workshop will continue with the theme “EU Value Chains as Pivot for Sustainable and Inclusive Public Policies”. Two additional good practices will be introduced by Marc Pattinson and Laura Varisco, Thematic Experts for a Smarter Europe: CEI BOOST project will showcase digital solutions for a more sustainable and inclusive agri-food value chain and Green Hydra project, which is inspired by UNLOCK and is supported by Entrance as an advisory partner, will highlight Croatia’s pilot of a hydrogen-powered bus in public city transport.
The event promises to be a vibrant platform for sharing innovative practices and fostering interregional cooperation, with the UNLOCK project continuing to play a pivotal role in shaping Europe’s smart green transitions.
