The Search for the Founding City Begins
The Industry 5.0 Forum invites cities and institutions to explore hosting its inaugural flagship edition, currently planned for 2028. Discover what it means to become the Founding City and help build a lasting international platform for research, innovation and measurable progress.
The Industry 5.0 Forum invites cities and institutions to host its inaugural flagship edition, currently planned for 2028. An earlier edition in 2027 may be considered where a prospective Founding City has earmarked sufficient funding and committed the local resources needed to host and deliver the Forum.
The city selected to host the inaugural flagship edition will be recognised as the Founding City of the Industry 5.0 Forum, a lasting distinction marking its role in bringing the Forum’s first major international gathering to life.
More than hosting a conference
Industry 5.0 asks how technological progress can better serve people, society and the planet. Bringing that ambition into practice requires more than a gathering of experts. It calls for sustained cooperation between cities, industry, researchers and the communities affected by technological change.
The Industry 5.0 Forum is being developed as a continuing international platform for that cooperation.
The inaugural host city will have an opportunity to help shape the Forum’s first major international gathering around real-world challenges, bringing local industrial strengths, research capabilities and transformation priorities into a wider international conversation.
Across six tracks, the Forum will explore the future of work, robotics and physical AI, energy and circularity, digital twins and resilient supply chains, frontier technologies, and financing the transition.
The aim is not simply to discuss what comes next, but to create opportunities for research collaboration, practical innovation and progress that can be evaluated over time.
A lasting contribution to the host city
The Host City Programme is designed to connect the flagship edition with activities before and after the event.
Before the Forum, an initial i5Benchmark city baseline, provided at no additional cost, will help establish a starting point for understanding local priorities. Working with local partners, an SME readiness cohort can help businesses identify challenges and prepare for research, innovation and collaboration opportunities.
During the Forum, the host city can bring its own transition projects into international discussions, showcase local innovation, connect businesses with researchers and potential partners, and help shape a host city charter setting out priorities for future action.
After the Forum, the Residency Programme in the Host City offers a pathway for researchers, companies and local institutions to explore joint development and pilot opportunities. The programme also envisages following agreed commitments and documenting progress over the subsequent 12 months.
The scope and financing of SME, residency and pilot activities will be developed with local partners, taking account of available resources and the host city’s priorities.
The ambition is to create value that continues beyond the days of the Forum.
What the Founding City title means
The distinction is defined by three principles:
- Unique: one city, the host of the inaugural flagship edition.
- Permanent: never superseded by later editions.
- Clear: the Forum remains convened by Sustainable Intelligence ASBL.
The title recognises the city’s historic role in hosting the first flagship gathering. It does not transfer ownership or governance of the Forum.
Cities hosting i5Dialogues 2027 are recognised as i5Dialogues hosts. The Founding City title is reserved for the city that hosts the inaugural flagship edition, whether that takes place in 2027 or 2028.
How to take part
The call for host cities is open.
Cities and regions interested in hosting are invited to explore the opportunity with their universities, research institutes, industry partners and local development organisations.
Hosting is a partnership rather than a fixed-format event. The programme, venue requirements, local contributions and longer-term activities will be discussed in relation to each city’s ambitions and capacity.
An initial expression of interest opens the conversation. The next steps may include an introductory meeting, a preliminary assessment of hosting readiness, and discussions on the programme, resources and partnership arrangements.
The host city and event dates have not yet been announced.
Become the Founding City: explore the Host City Programme
Find the Founding City. Shape the First Forum. Scale What Matters.