Public Engagement in the Green Hydrogen District Hoogeveen – Webinar Replay Now Available

On November 26, 2025, HEAVENN hosted the webinar “Perspectives on Public Engagement in the Green Hydrogen District of Hoogeveen”, featuring insights from one of the Netherlands’ most advanced demonstrations for applying green hydrogen in the built environment.

During the session, Kees Boer, Project Manager for the Hydrogen District Hoogeveen at the Municipality of Hoogeveen, shared practical lessons learned from several years of working directly with residents as they transitioned from natural gas to green hydrogen. His reflections offer valuable guidance for anyone involved in the design, communication, or implementation of local energy transitions.

Click here to watch the webinar replay.

About the Webinar

• Moderator: Tatiana Block – New Energy Coalition, Project Manager HEAVENN

• Speaker: Kees Boer – Municipality of Hoogeveen, Project Manager Hydrogen District Hoogeveen

This webinar provides an inside look at the social and practical dimensions of developing a hydrogen-ready neighborhood. Highlighting what works, what doesn’t, and what others can learn from Hoogeveen’s approach.

Key Topics Covered

Resident-Driven Participation

Hoogeveen’s approach places residents at the center. The Hydrogen Residents’ Platform was formed early in the project, enabling residents to appoint their own project manager and represent their interests directly. This model ensured that community voices shaped both process and outcomes.

Effective Conversation Methods

Instead of relying on surveys, the project opted for one-on-one kitchen-table conversations. These personal dialogues proved far more effective in building trust, addressing concerns, and informing decisions based on the real needs of households.

Communication Strategy & Transparency

The team developed an accessible communication strategy using an audience-journey model: discover, engage, activate.
Through newsletters, videos, neighborhood meetings, and full transparency about setbacks and progress, the project maintained consistent and honest communication with residents.

Translating Technology into Everyday Life

Complex planning tools, such as the district implementation plan, were transformed into clear, resident-friendly explanations. This helped bridge the gap between technical frameworks and the realities of living in a hydrogen-powered home.

Realistic Alternatives for Residents

Not all homes can switch to hydrogen. The project offered tailored advice, identifying alternatives such as hybrid or fully electric heat pumps, ensuring that every household received a viable pathway toward sustainable heating.

Broader Lessons

Kees Boer also reflected on wider learnings for future energy transition projects:

• How to avoid polarization within neighborhoods

• Approaches for dealing with different adoption speeds

• Ways to maintain engagement throughout long, multi-year processes

About the Hoogeveen Hydrogen District

The Hoogeveen Hydrogen District is demonstrating how green hydrogen can be integrated into existing communities. The project focuses on:

• Reusing the existing natural gas grid for hydrogen transport

• Deploying 100% hydrogen boilers

• Connecting both new-build and existing homes

• Embedding resident participation through independent platforms, neighborhood dialogues, and co-created communication tools

Hoogeveen’s hands-on approach offers a replicable model for other regions exploring hydrogen as part of their sustainable heating strategy.