The article discusses the pressing need for EU Member States to decarbonize their industrial sectors while maintaining competitiveness. Traditional heavy industries in Europe rely on emissions-intensive processes, requiring clean energy technologies like carbon capture and clean hydrogen. Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries face the challenge of balancing environmental priorities with economic competitiveness due to the significant role of industries in their economies. H2Poland conference in Poznań gathers stakeholders annually to advance hydrogen technologies and industrial decarbonisation. The event includes roundtable discussions on technology options for deep decarbonisation and the importance of policy design to support industry transition. Participants highlighted policy design, targeted deployment, shared financial risk, and cross-border collaboration as priority actions for policymakers and industry leaders in the region. The article emphasizes the role of clean hydrogen in industrial decarbonisation, pointing out the dominance of unabated fossil fuel-based hydrogen in the EU market. It highlights the consumption patterns of hydrogen in CEE countries, with a focus on refining and ammonia production. The challenges and opportunities of clean hydrogen and carbon capture and storage in the region are explored, emphasizing the need for collaboration and sustainable funding mechanisms.