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== OPENVERSE in a Nutshell ==
Europe is advocating for the development of open, inclusive and ethical virtual worlds that emphasise the technological sovereignty of the EU industry. This vision aims to deliver benefits such as enhanced accessibility, increased freedom and control, reduced entry barriers and a more equitable distribution of resources. Furthermore, it places a premium on interoperability, privacy, security and data ownership to promote innovation, creativity and social benefits. The EU-funded [https://open-verse.eu/ OPENVERSE] project is dedicated to creating a knowledge base on European virtual worlds. To that end, it will establish a community of stakeholders, test user co-creation and extended reality, explore challenges, and generate standards, technology roadmaps and recommendations. These outputs are intended to guide the future establishment of the Open Virtual Worlds concept in Europe and globally.

[https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101135701 CORDIS Reference]

== The OPENVERSE project ==
[[File:OPENVERSE-logo-RGB icon-color.png|thumb|OpenVerse logo]]

=== Our Mission ===
The purpose of OPENVERSE is to establish '''European Virtual Worlds characterised by openness, transparency, inclusivity, ethical and environmental responsibility''', and to enhance EU’s technological sovereignty.

=== Vision & Strategy ===
The '''vision''' of the OPENVERSE project is to create inclusive, open, and ethically responsible European Virtual Worlds, enhancing the European Unions’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 a globally influential Virtual Worlds.

=== Goals ===
* Inclusivity & Accessibility: To create an open digital ecosystem that’s accessible and equitable.
* Interoperability & Security: Ensuring seamless integration and secure data management across virtual platforms.
* Innovation & Collaboration: To nurture a space where creativity and technological advancements flourish through collaborative efforts.

=== Benefits ===
* OPENVERSE promises a transformative impact on how digital experiences and resources are accessed and distributed.
* It enhances user control, privacy, and fosters a more ethical digital environment.
* The initiative aims to be a catalyst for new, user-driven innovations and social engagement.

=== What is OPENVERSE ===
OPENVERSE is a Coordination and Support Action (CSA), funded under Horizon Europe programme. It’s rooted in the ambition to elevate the European Union’s landscape, responding to the global tech competition and fostering technological sovereignty. Project coordinator is Doctor Francesco Mureddu, vice president at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisbon_Council/ The Lisbon Council].

=== Main objetives ===
* Foster innovation, creativity, and social benefits through a collaborative environment
* Improve accessibility, control, lower entry barriers, and equitable resource distribution
* Ensure interoperability, privacy, security, and data ownership, allowing different Virtual Worlds to interoperate

=== The team ===
Meet our multisciplinary consortium: a unique alliance of tech companies, academic institutions, and industry associations, united by a common vision to shape the future of the European Virtual Worlds.
* [https://lisboncouncil.net/ The Lisbon Council]
* [https://www.idc.com/eu IDC]
* [https://www.trust-itservices.com/ Trust-IT Services]
* [https://polimi.it/ Politecnico di Milano]
* [https://www.universityofgalway.ie/ University of Galway]
* [https://www.vub.be/ Vrije Universiteit Brussels]
* [https://xr4europe.eu/ XR4EUROPE]
* [https://internationaldataspaces.org/ International Data Spaces Association]
* [https://commpla.com/ COMMPpla]
* [https://bdva.eu/ Big Data Value Association]
* [https://inspiringfutures.ch/ Inspiring Futures]
* [https://martel-innovate.com Martel Innovate]