What is Industry 5.0?

What Is Industry 5.0?

Industry 5.0 marks a new phase in the evolution of industry and business — one that reimagines the role of technology in society. While Industry 4.0 focused on digitalization and automation, Industry 5.0 puts people, the environment, and sustainability at the heart of industrial progress.

The concept is built around three core principles:

Human-centricity
Technology should serve people — respecting their needs, values, and well-being. Humans remain the driving force behind innovation and progress.
Sustainability
Industrial processes and technologies must minimize environmental impact, reduce waste, and support the preservation of natural resources.
Resilience
Systems must be adaptive, capable of recovering from crises, and able to ensure continuity of operations in an unpredictable world.

At the core of Industry 5.0 is the harmonious integration of advanced technologies — such as artificial intelligence and robotics — with social responsibility and ecological safety.

Why Does Industry 5.0 Matter for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs)?

Through the UA_EU_CLUSTER5.0 project, which includes the Chernihiv IT Cluster as a partner, SMEs in Ukraine, Portugal, and Italy receive support in embracing the principles of Industry 5.0.

For SMEs, this means:

Access to cutting-edge digital tools and technologies;
Support in developing innovative products and services;
New opportunities for entering the European Union markets;
Improved competitiveness and readiness for future challenges.

Participant Perspectives

“Industry 5.0 is a new approach to economic development that focuses not only on technological progress, but also on the values of sustainable development, people-centeredness, and increased business resilience.
For Ukrainian enterprises, especially small and medium-sized ones, Industry 5.0 opens up opportunities to combine digitalization with human capital, allowing for the creation of more adaptive, innovative, and responsible business models.
In the context of post-war recovery, such a transformation is extremely relevant — it allows not only to optimize processes, but also to form a new type of economy, where the priority is not only profit, but also people's well-being and resource conservation.”
– Larisa Tsigan, Vice President of the CCIC]

“Industry 5.0 is primarily a new stage in the evolution of human-technology interaction, where the focus is gradually shifting from purely digital solutions to the implementation of sustainable, ethical, and socially oriented innovations. This approach forms the basis for the development of a more sustainable, flexible, and people-centered economy, as well as stimulating cross-sectoral cooperation.
Within the framework of the UA_EU_CLUSTER5.0 project, we are integrating European values and practices aimed at strengthening the role of innovation in the post-crisis recovery and adaptation of Ukrainian business to EU standards. In the context of European integration, the issue of sustainable development is becoming a priority, which is why we are actively drawing on international experience and partnerships to implement Industry 5.0 approaches in Ukraine.”
– [Olga Shubina, Director and Co-founder of the ICI]

Industry 5.0 is more than just a technological trend — it's a new, socially responsible approach to business development. It bridges human values, innovation, and sustainability.

The Chernihiv IT Cluster is committed to advancing and promoting these ideas — supporting Ukrainian businesses and fostering partnerships with European counterparts.

UA_EU_CLUSTER5.0 is funded by the European Union.