Networking of research, development and demonstration activities carried out at national level in the field of fuel cells and hydrogen technologies is the core of the proposed ERA-NET. With an ambitious integration process, HY-CO aims at a mutual opening of the involved national partner programmes which will allow the implementation of a joint European (transnational) funding scenario. In addition, the programmes of non-participating Member and non-Member States will be evaluated to achieve at a complete transnational integration and to enable Europe to position itself better in international activities for the transition to a hydrogen economy.

The general methodology involves all four steps/levels of coordination and cooperation proposed by the European Commission in the relevant documents on the ERA-NET scheme:

• Systematic exchange of best practices
• Strategic activities
• Implementation of joint activities
• Transnational research, development and demonstration activities