New OPENVERSE workshop: “National initiatives and the European Partnership on Virtual Worlds”
OPENVERSE is organising a workshop on 24 April titled “National initiatives and Virtual Worlds Partnership”, which serves as a platform for discussing how to bring together national-level projects with the European Partnership on Virtual Worlds.
Virtual Worlds are rapidly emerging as a transformative force in how people interact, learn, work and innovate. With their vast potential, these technologies could reshape industries across Europe, but their development remains fragmented. In response to this challenge, national initiatives are increasingly working to drive forward the adoption and growth of Virtual World technologies. However, experts agree that more coordinated efforts are needed to unite these fragmented initiatives and enhance their impact across the continent.
This is why OPENVERSE is organising a workshop on 24 April titled “National initiatives and the European Partnership on Virtual Worlds”, which serves as a platform for discussing how to bring together national-level projects with the European Partnership on Virtual Worlds, particularly through OPENVERSE, which aims to streamline investments and reduce fragmentation in EU research and innovation landscapes.
The workshop’s primary objectives are to promote the visibility of European initiatives across member states, strengthen collaboration between national and European efforts and continue the momentum of fostering joint projects and cooperation in the Virtual Worlds space.
One of the key features of the event will be a presentation from the European Partnership on Virtual Worlds, which is working to align priorities and pool resources to drive innovation in this rapidly expanding field. Additionally, OPENVERSE will present a mapping of the current landscape of national Virtual Worlds initiatives, providing participants with an invaluable overview of ongoing efforts and projects across Europe.
By the end of the workshop, participants are expected to have gained important insights into the status of the European Partnership on Virtual Worlds and a clearer understanding of the national initiatives and collaborations shaping the future of Virtual Worlds. A critical outcome of the event will be the development of actionable steps that will help to grow the ecosystem of Virtual Worlds initiatives at a European level, as well as fostering stronger networks to encourage community building and innovation.
The workshop is targeted at a wide array of stakeholders involved in Virtual Worlds initiatives across Europe. This includes associations, NGOs, technology platforms and collaborative partnerships working on Virtual Worlds as a central theme or focus area. Participants will also include those running multi-country initiatives or skills development projects with international outreach, such as summer schools or European Digital Infrastructure Consortia.
The European Partnership on Virtual Worlds tackles Europe’s most pressing challenges through coordinated research and innovation. By aligning priorities and pooling resources, partnerships play a vital role in advancing the EU’s political objectives and promoting collaborative solutions to complex technological and societal issues.
As the EU continues to navigate the complexities of the digital future, the collaboration between national and European initiatives could become the key to unlocking the true potential of Virtual Worlds. Through strategic dialogue and continued partnership, Europe will lead the way in Virtual Worlds innovation, ensuring that its impact is felt across all industries, economies and societies.
About OPENVERSE
The vision of the OPENVERSE project is to create inclusive, open and ethically responsible European Virtual Worlds, enhancing the European Union’s technological sovereignty in the global arena. Its strategy involves integrating diverse technological expertise, fostering collaborative innovation, and ensuring interoperability, privacy, and security in digital environments. OPENVERSE aims to lay the foundational framework for these Virtual Worlds, combining user co-creation with extended reality technologies, addressing legal and ethical challenges, and guiding future policy and industry standards for globally influential Virtual Worlds.