H2CE addresses the challenge of integrating hydrogen solutions and renewable energies into the regional energy transition. Today, existing information and support focuses on the needs and perspectives of project owners and of the industry, treating public authorities as (passive) framework condition instead of understanding their expertise and authority as a further means to pro-actively support change. H2CE aims at empowering public authorities and administration in Central Europe (CE) to integrate hydrogen proactively and sustainably into regional planning and development. This will lead to an acceleration of hydrogen infrastructure ramp-up and a more efficient use of available funds. The main results of the project will be mechanisms to empower regional decision makers to support a hydrogen-based energy transition, the initiation of a cross-regional & transnational network of H2-ready regions, and the implementation of a digital collaboration platform.