Youth Innovation in Action: Kicking Off the Mediterranean Green Hydrogen Camp in Tunis

The Mediterranean Green Hydrogen Summer School and Hackathon, hosted at the École Polytechnique de Tunis from 7 to 11 July 2025, is bringing together 28 young talents aged 20 to 30 from across the MENA region and Europe. With participants from Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Palestine, Egypt, Germany, and Jordan, this third edition of the GH2 Camp – From Theory to Action is not only a training initiative, but a platform for youth empowerment, climate innovation and regional cooperation.

Organised by the EU-funded MED-GEM Network, in partnership with GIZ Tunisia through the H2Vert.TUN project (commissioned by the BMZ and implemented by the Tunisian Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy), the event is supported by the National Engineering School of Tunis (ENIT), the Polytechnic School of Tunisia, and with media coverage from EU Neighbours South.

Learning, Debating, Collaborating

During the first three days of the Camp (July 7th to 9th), participants engaged in an intensive programme of technical lectures, interactive sessions and teamwork, led by experts from the MED-GEM Network and partner institutions.

Topics included:

• Hydrogen production technologies and the hydrogen value chain
• Power-to-X (PtX) modelling, products and infrastructure
• Socio-economic impact of green hydrogen in the region
• Regulatory frameworks and sustainability
• Communication and pitching techniques

 Highlights from Days 1–3 included:

• An opening ceremony with remarks from Frank Wouters (MED-GEM), Prof. Chiheb Bouden (ENIT), Dorra Chida (GIZ Tunisia), and Dr. Manef Abderrabba (EPT)
• A deep dive into Tunisia’s hydrogen roadmap and key challenges
• A debate on “Where and How to Start a PtX Market in the MENA Region”
• A hands-on communication coaching session for the upcoming Hackathon

The Hackathon Challenge: Green Hydrogen Valleys for the MENA Region

On Day 3, the regional hackathon challenge was officially launched.

Participants, now grouped into seven interdisciplinary and gender-balanced teams, are tasked with designing a high-level masterplan for a Green Hydrogen Valley tailored to the MENA region. The brief includes:

• Designing a technically feasible and economically viable hydrogen value chain
• Identifying local and export use cases for GH2 and its derivatives (green ammonia, methanol, etc.)
• Considering infrastructure, storage, safety, water constraints, and job creation
• Proposing a realistic roadmap, backed by data and innovation

Meet the Teams: A Diverse Pool of Talent

Each team brings together complementary profiles and backgrounds, including students and early-career professionals in engineering, energy systems, and environmental science.

Here are the 7 teams:

• Team 1: Donia Daheche, Ahmed Kaffel, Dalia Salem, Abdelnaser Dwaikat
• Team 2: Youssef Dhieb, Nour Ben Amor, Nour Boukhris, Eric Eschrich
• Team 3: Bilel Hamdaoui, Molka Samaali, Mahmoud Hmedat, Houda Chaabene
• Team 4: Nadji Agadi, Amen Allah Daghari, Manar Lachtar, Dalanda Berrahal
• Team 5: Amal Jbeli, Ikram Belkoufa, Ghaith Allah Ouesleti, Mouath Chouchane
• Team 6: Mohamed Amine Ben Helal, Jihane Ramen, Asma Hammouche
• Team 7: Aziz Oussama, Omayma Graichi, Mohamed Wassim Maazaoui, May Balti

These teams are now working intensively to co-design solutions that address climate action, energy security, and innovation in the Mediterranean region.

Reveal: Friday, July 11th, 2025

Stay tuned as these emerging change-makers move from theory to action and pitch their ideas to an international jury of experts.