PROSPECTS 5.0 is a Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action (RIA) that investigates the uptake of the Industry 5.0 vision in Europe - an industry that is not only productive, but also sustainable, resilient, and human-centric. Against the backdrop of the twin green and digital transitions, and in light of growing social and environmental pressures, Europe needs new pathways that align technological progress with societal well-being and planetary boundaries.
The project brings together 30 partners spanning academia, research, industry, and SMEs, to provide the knowledge, frameworks, and tools required to guide policymakers and industrial actors in this transition. Project activities are based on 14 use-cases from different European Union and Horizon Europe associated countries (Norway and Türkiye) and are strategically positioned to make a cross-sectoral impact, covering key areas such as manufacturing, IT, energy, automotive, aviation, and education.
At its core, the project has five objectives:
- Build an open and collaborative ecosystem for multi-actor dialogue
- Develop and validate an Industry 5.0 Assessment Framework to measure readiness and progress
- Generate evidence-based insights from 14 real-world use cases
- Provide measurement and adaptation tools for industry and policymakers
- Ensure broad knowledge transfer and adoption through reports, workshops, a collaborative platform, and policy recommendations
The project follows a structured pathway to impact: exploring the drivers and barriers of Industry 5.0 co-developing assessment tools with stakeholders, testing them in diverse use cases, and consolidating results into practical guidance and policy support. This iterative approach is reinforced by the creation of the Industry 5.0 Community of Interest, ensuring inclusivity, co-creation, and long-term uptake.
Social sciences and humanities (SSH) play a central role, ensuring that technological and economic perspectives are integrated with social, cultural, ethical, and gender-sensitive insights. This enriches the framework and strengthens the societal relevance of recommendations.
The expected impacts of PROSPECTS 5.0 are significant in scale:
- Providing practical frameworks and tools for assessing and advancing Industry 5.0 across the European Union
- Delivering policy recommendations that will inform EU and national strategies for industrial transformation
- Supporting the industry in navigating and benefiting from Industry 5.0.
- Contributing to the twin transitions, embedding resilience, sustainability, and human-centricity into European industry
PROSPECTS 5.0 is setting the stage for a future-proof European industry. By bridging evidence and policy, technology and society, the project’s goal is to equip Europe with the insights and tools to lead globally in the next industrial paradigm.
