16 juni 2025
From 28 to 30 May 2025, Hanze University-led UNLOCK project partners and key stakeholders met in Tomar, Abrantes, and Portalegre to discuss strategies for enhancing regional policies on green hydrogen economy development and its impact on SMEs.
The event brought together around 40 participants, including project partners and experts in green hydrogen and energy transition, to discuss opportunities for SMEs in Médio Tejo, explore the latest technological advances, and share knowledge on sustainable solutions for the energy and infrastructure sectors. During their stay in Portugal, the participants followed a diverse program that included collaborative work sessions, experience sharing, and moments of joint reflection.
The visit began with a Steering Committee meeting chaired by Dr. Beata Kviatek, UNLOCK project leader, followed by a session where partners shared their progress and discussed policy improvements under the project.
The second day featured the UNLOCK Seminar, part of the International Conference “Médio Tejo: The Vision of an Emerging European Region,” held at the Charters de Almeida Museum of Contemporary Art in Abrantes on May 29. This event was jointly organized by the Municipality of Abrantes, CIM Médio Tejo, the Regional Agency for Energy and Environment of Médio Tejo and Pinhal Interior Sul, Médio Tejo 21, IrRADIARE, and UNLOCK-project.
In the opening session, Manuel Jorge Valamatos, president of CIM Médio Tejo, expressed pride in hosting the seminar in Médio Tejo, highlighting the region’s resilience and innovation. He emphasized the region’s commitment to sustainability and creating qualified employment for young people, aiming to make the Médio Tejo a model of responsible energy transition.
The afternoon sessions included technical discussions and round tables, where success stories and strategies to integrate SMEs into the green hydrogen ecosystem were shared. Dr. Kviatek, an invited speaker at the International Conference, emphasized that green hydrogen is not just a technological innovation but also a governance challenge.
On the last day, May 30, participants visited the Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre and the VALORIZA Research Center to observe the testing technology promoted by the Institute. The day concluded with a session summarizing key takeaways and defining next steps.
This meeting showcased Médio Tejo’s strength as a collaborative region open to innovation, believing that green hydrogen can transform the economy and prepare companies for future challenges.
Through these activities, the UNLOCK project continued to achieve its objectives: improving regional policy instruments, promoting sustainable growth, strengthening SME competitiveness, and boosting job creation in emerging regional economies linked to green hydrogen.
The UNLOCK project is co-financed by the European Union’s Interreg Europe program.
