The EU-funded project provides a “practical toolkit” for hydrogen developers, policymakers, and stakeholders, designed to help them develop, implement, and evaluate community engagement activities.

The toolkit includes ready-to-use templates, checklists, and example materials for project teams to adapt to local contexts, ensuring that engagement activities are both safe and inclusive.

“Meaningful, transparent engagement over the long term is not a tick-box exercise; it is how public trust is built so hydrogen technologies can succeed,” said Daniela Martin, Director of Communications at IMI, which is leading the public engagement efforts for the HYPOP project.

The 40-page guidelines stressed that strong engagement could mitigate safety concerns, address local acceptance issues, and highlight visible co-benefits, such as job creation and air quality improvements.

The report underscored the need to demonstrate risk protocols and ensure public feedback is integrated into project designs.

An example in the UK is the HyNet North West project, which aims to build a low-carbon hydrogen production facility in the North West of England, designed to decarbonise local industries through carbon capture and storage and hydrogen transport pipelines.

Aligning with EU policies, the report also stated: “Current [European Commission] frameworks emphasise early, regular and meaningful dialogue, citizen-centred innovation, and participatory decision-making across the energy transition.”

However, the guidelines also highlight the risks of weak or delayed engagement. “When engagement is weak or late, projects risk opposition, redesigns, and loss of trust that can be costly and hard to recover from,” the report warned, noting that local acceptance may not always follow general support.

Weak engagement can lead to delays at permitting, costly redesigns, and missed opportunities for local job creation and training, according to HYPOP.

Though not mandatory, some hydrogen industry stakeholders might see the guidelines as time-consuming and bureaucratic, potentially slowing project timelines. The guidelines are now available for download.