Public engagement in the Green Hydrogen District Hoogeveen
The webinar "Perspectives on Public Engagement in Hoogeveen's Green Hydrogen District," held on November 26, 2025, shares key lessons from Hoogeveen's demonstration project for implementing green hydrogen in the built environment. Kees Boer, project manager for the hydrogen district from the Municipality of Hoogeveen, will present practical experiences, challenges, and successes related to the approach for involving residents in the transition from natural gas to green hydrogen. The webinar is hosted by HEAVENN..
About the webinar
Moderator: Tatiana Block – New Energy Coalition, Project Manager HEAVENN
Speaker: Kees Boer – Municipality of Hoogeveen, Project Manager Hydrogen District Hoogeveen
The following topics will be covered during the webinar:
- Resident-driven participation
How the Hydrogen Residents' Platform came into being and how residents themselves appointed a project manager to represent their interests and contribute to the participation process. - Effective conversation methods
Why one-on-one conversations at the kitchen table proved more effective than surveys, and how they contributed to trust and better decision-making. - Communication strategy & transparency
An accessible communication strategy based on the 'audience journey'—discover, engage, activate—using newsletters, videos, meetings, and full transparency about the project's progress and challenges. - Translating technology into the living environment
How complex instruments, such as the neighbourhood implementation plan, have been translated into understandable, resident-friendly information. - Real alternatives for residents
Tailor-made advice for homes that cannot switch to hydrogen, with realistic options such as hybrid or fully electric heat pumps. - Broader lessons
Insights on preventing polarization, dealing with different adoption rates, and involving the entire neighborhood in the long term.
About the Hoogeveen Hydrogen District
The Hoogeveen Hydrogen District is working on reusing the existing natural gas network, deploying a 100% hydrogen boiler, and connecting both new and existing homes to hydrogen. Resident participation is key, including through an independent Hydrogen Residents' Platform, neighborhood discussions, and jointly developed communication tools.
Disclaimer
This webinar is part of HEAVENN. HEAVENN has received funding from the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen 2 Joint Undertaking (now Clean Hydrogen Partnership) under grant agreement No 875090. This Joint Undertaking receives support from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, Hydrogen Europe, and Hydrogen Europe Research. This page reflects the views only of the author, and the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen 2 Joint Undertaking (now Clean Hydrogen Partnership), under the powers delegated to it by the European Commission, is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.
