Highlights from EuroFM Conference 2025: Shaping the Future of FM in Trondheim
From 1 to 3 December, the beautiful city of Trondheim, Norway, became the beating heart of the European Facility Management community. In close collaboration with NTNU and with the support of NBEF, Multiconsult and Oxid lQ, EuroFM proudly hosted its 30th annual conference alongside the 24th EuroFM Research Symposium. And what an inspiring few days it turned out to be!
Over three days, facility management practitioners, researchers, lecturers, students and industry stakeholders from across Europe came together to exchange knowledge, challenge assumptions and explore how we can collectively shape the future of Facility Management. The conference once again demonstrated the strength of the EuroFM community. Diverse perspectives, open dialogue and a shared ambition to move the profession forward were present in every session and conversation.
Key themes shaping the FM profession
The program offered a rich mix of keynotes, paper presentations, workshops and interactive discussions, all centred around the evolving role of Facility Management in society. A strong focus was placed on creating workplaces that foster social connection and a true sense of belonging.
Participants explored how FM can actively contribute to social sustainability, not only within organisations but also in the wider urban context. Circularity, revitalisation and regeneration strategies were discussed as essential approaches to making better use of existing buildings and infrastructure.
Another important theme was engagement and participation. Sessions highlighted how participatory approaches can empower users, owners and other stakeholders, leading to more resilient and future-proof workplace solutions. Diversity and inclusiveness were also high on the agenda, including discussions on gender balance and neurodiversity in the workplace, and how FM professionals can actively support inclusive environments.
Ethics and responsibility played a key role as well. With the growing use of data and AI in Facility Management, participants reflected on ethical considerations, governance and integrity. These discussions underlined the importance of using technology in a way that supports people, organisations and society in a responsible and transparent manner.
Finally, the conference looked beyond individual buildings towards cities and communities. Innovative approaches to urban FM and place-making showed how the profession can help shape sustainable, liveable and inclusive environments at a larger scale.
Celebrating Excellence: The EuroFM Awards
During the conference, the EuroFM Awards celebrated outstanding research contributions, industry initiatives and best teachers from the past year. These awards highlight the quality, relevance and impact of FM within the EuroFM network. During the Charity Dinner on day 1, three EuroFM Awards were presented, celebrating excellence and impact within the Facility Management community.
Best Industry Initiative Award
Awarded to XUKRA (founder: Mais Taha) for its human-centred and sustainability-driven approach to workplace management. Other nominees were Shukri Habib and Qualitas.
Best Paper Award 2025
Awarded to Bintang Prabowo for Community-Based Facility Management in an Urban Experiment Area: Case Svartlamon. Other nominated papers were authored by Deniz Tuzcuoglu et al. and Wim Krijnen et al.
Best Teacher Award 2025
Awarded to Professor Morten Gjerde (NTNU). Other nominees were the DEEP COIL Team, Shady Yehia and Lukas Windlinger.
From knowledge sharing to real-life inspiration
The first two days of the conference were fully dedicated to knowledge sharing, dialogue and collaboration. Researchers and practitioners met on equal footing, creating valuable connections between theory and practice. This exchange is at the core of EuroFM’s mission and was strongly reflected throughout the program.
The third day offered participants a unique and memorable experience. A visit to the iconic ski jumps at Granåsen provided a behind-the-scenes look at how this world-class sports venue is managed from a facility perspective. The site visit, combined with an insightful presentation by the local FM team, offered a powerful example of operational excellence, innovation and long-term asset management in practice.
Student Challenge
The EuroFM Student Challenge 2025 brought together students from across Europe to explore how Facility Management can actively contribute to a more socially sustainable and inclusive future. Working in international teams, participants investigated social sustainability from their local contexts, co-created concepts and tested their ideas during the EuroFM Conference in Trondheim in dialogue with researchers and FM professionals.
The winning team, Kadi Matla, Dimitri Wolfisberg and Elyne Rip, impressed the jury with a practical and impactful solution: a beautifully designed, easy-to-use checklist that helps organisations actively embed inclusivity into their daily practices and organisational culture. Their concept clearly demonstrated how FM can move from intention to action, supporting inclusive workplaces in a structured and accessible way. Download their ckecklist for success here!
Looking ahead
EuroFM would like to thank all speakers, authors, moderators, partners and participants for their energy, insights and commitment. Your contributions made these days in Trondheim truly inspiring and impactful. We look forward to continuing this journey together and to further strengthening the connection between research, education and practice within Facility Management. We hope to welcome you again at the next EuroFM Conference.
