As Virtual Worlds technologies continue to grow globally, European stakeholders gathered last week at The New European Media (NEM) Summit in Brussels to address a critical question: can Europe establish a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for Virtual Worlds (VW) fast enough to claim its leadership in this emerging field?
In July 2023, the European Commission launched the strategy on Web 4.0 and virtual worlds to steer the next technological transition and ensure an open, secure, trustworthy, fair, and inclusive digital environment for EU citizens, businesses, and public administrations. One of the key pillars of the strategy is to propose a Partnership on Virtual Worlds to “foster excellence in research and develop an industrial and technological roadmap for virtual worlds.”
“It is difficult to find the right structure, create it, make it happen, and run it”, explained Anne Bajart, Deputy Head of Unit from DG Connect, Interactive Technologies, Digital for Culture and Education at the European Commission.
Now, more than a year later, progress on establishing the Partnership remains a key focus for stakeholders across Europe. While significant steps have been made in defining the goals and potential impact of the initiative, challenges in leadership, inclusion of SMEs, and the overall governance structure still need to be addressed. With increasing pressure to position Europe as a leader in the development of Virtual Worlds, there is a growing sense of urgency to finalise the framework and secure the necessary collaborations to drive innovation forward. The next steps will be crucial in turning this ambitious vision into reality.
“It is difficult to find the right structure, create it, make it happen, and run it”, explained Anne Bajart, Deputy Head of Unit from DG Connect, Interactive Technologies, Digital for Culture and Education at the European Commission. However, once established, the benefits will stem from its prominent position on the political agenda and the community’s identification of fresh funding opportunities, as Anne Bajart explained further: “It is not too late but it is necessary to act quickly”.
Leadership and SME involvement: key challenges
One of the most contentious points in the discussions is the difficulty in identifying a leading organisation for the partnership. Some participants favoured appointing a larger entity with the necessary processes, structure, and capacity to coordinate the PPP. However, there are concerns that a big organisation might prioritise its own interests and not fairly represent the needs of smaller companies. This has sparked a debate over whether the leadership should come from a more neutral or inclusive source.
Involving SMEs is another challenge, particularly in defining a strategy that appeals to them. To encourage their participation, the discussion highlighted the importance of offering lower fees for smaller businesses and focusing on the benefits the PPP could provide, such as helping these companies scale up. Additionally, the communicative value of being part of the PPP itself was seen as an attractive prospect for smaller organisations, offering them visibility and connections that they might otherwise struggle to achieve.
As the PPP continues to take shape, stakeholders are working to address these issues and ensure that the Partnership serves the needs of businesses both large and small, while positioning Europe at the forefront of Virtual Worlds innovation.
To turn these ambitions into action, NEM will establish working groups dedicated to defining pragmatic steps for the PPP. These groups will also work to integrate the PPP with the existing Virtual and Augmented Reality Industrial Coalition, reinforcing Europe’s technological ecosystem.
A vision for open and responsible Virtual Worlds
OPENVERSE is Coordination and Support Action, represented by Martel Innovate at NEM, envisions creating inclusive, ethically responsible virtual worlds that enhance
Europe’s digital sovereignty. By fostering collaboration across diverse technological domains, OPENVERSE aims to build a foundational framework that ensures interoperability, privacy, and security in digital environments. The project combines extended reality technologies with a commitment to ethical standards, positioning Europe to lead in setting policy and industry standards for virtual worlds on a global scale.
The NEM Summit underscored Europe’s determination to advance in the Virtual Worlds arena, with the PPP serving as a pivotal instrument. As stakeholders across the continent rally behind this shared vision, the groundwork is being laid for a cohesive, collaborative, and competitive European Virtual Worlds ecosystem.
