Green hydrogen, regional cooperation and the energy future of the Mediterranean region — Frank Wouters, Director of the MED-GEM Network and Chairman of the MENA Hydrogen Alliance, talks about it and shares how MED-GEM is turning big ideas into real impact.
Read more in this interview with Frank Wouters.

• What is MED-GEM, and what impact does it aim to achieve?

The MED-GEM Network, funded by the European Union, has built a collaborative public-private platform for the countries of the Southern Neighbourhood and the European Union to accelerate the development of a clean, green energy-based economy.

The Network is at the forefront of accelerating the green molecules and electrons, i.e. green hydrogen (GH2) transition and renewable energy development in the Southern Mediterranean. MED-GEM Network, which covers 10 countries – Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Libya, Jordan, Mauritania, Morocco, Palestine and Tunisia – focuses on policy, infrastructure, industrial development and finance. Through workshops, study visits, white papers and other means, the network promotes cooperation, information exchange and trade.

• What activities, initiatives or opportunities for participation should young people know
  about?

The MED-GEM Network has developed an innovative approach to involve students from Southern Mediterranean countries throug green hydrogen hackathons and GH2 Camps.
The hackathons include training and intensive mentoring by industry leaders, and the network supports the winning teams in trying to realise their vision. These programmes provide participants with expert training and mentoring from industry leaders to develop practical solutions in the field of green hydrogen. The first hackathons took place in Morocco and Lebanon, sending young innovators on study trips to Germany’s FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg. In 2025, the project will expand its presence with new regional GH2 Camps in Tunisia and a national camp in Egypt, a second certification pilot and the launch of an online Educational Hub for training.

• What advice do you wish you had received at 20?  

If I could give my 20-year-old self some advice, it would be to dream the impossible and pursue that dream. Don’t fear failure! There are always second chances.

MED-GEM Network, video of the first anniversary of MED-GEM: Already one year of networking for green hydrogen and renewable energy in the Mediterranean.