The John Smith Trust Fellowship Programme in Scotland has concluded, marking an important milestone for Hydrogen Ukraine’s engagement with international leaders shaping the future of energy transition and green recovery.

Throughout the programme, our CEO Iaroslav Kryl took part in an intensive series of policy dialogues, academic exchanges and site visits focused on hydrogen, renewable energy integration, system resilience and leadership for recovery.

Across Scotland, the programme offered direct exposure to working energy systems rather than abstract strategies: decentralised renewable generation, integration of wind, tidal and solar power, practical balancing through storage and green hydrogen, and real end-use applications in transport, heat and power. These were not isolated pilots, but functioning ecosystems where infrastructure, regulation, academia, communities and industry are aligned around long-term resilience and economic viability.

A recurring lesson was the importance of sequencing and realism. Successful energy transitions start with small, testable solutions, open engagement with regulators and society, and a clear focus on domestic demand before scaling. Hydrogen consistently appeared not as a standalone technology, but as a system enabler, supporting grid stability, long-term storage and decarbonisation where direct electrification has limits.

Equally important was the governance dimension. Local authorities, universities and research centres play an active role in project development and ownership, while academic institutions work closely with industry on applied solutions: from electrolysers and fuel cells to CO₂ utilisation and next-generation batteries. This tight connection between research, infrastructure and policy significantly shortens the path from innovation to deployment.

The programme also reinforced that energy transition is as much about people and leadership as it is about technology.

For Hydrogen Ukraine, these insights directly inform our work on building a resilient hydrogen market: one that starts with local value chains, prioritises security and practicality, and is grounded in realistic business models and regulatory frameworks. As Ukraine plans its reconstruction, such experience strengthens our ability to contribute to projects that are not only ambitious, but implementable, supporting energy independence, economic recovery and long-term sustainability.