Ecosystem
Stakeholders network
UPRAISE Network:the Next Generation Stakeholder Network for Virtual Worlds
Alongside new educational programmes (bachelor, master, MBA, and modular courses), UPRAISE builds the Next Generation Stakeholder Network for Virtual Worlds: an open ecosystem connecting universities, companies, digital and innovation hubs, startups and policy makers.
The Next Generation Stakeholder Network will accelerate collaboration, enable cross-border knowledge exchange, and strengthen Europe’s capacity to lead in advanced digital competencies and virtual world applications.
How? By making it easier to co-create, exchange and scale advanced digital skills in Virtual Worlds (XR, AI, digital twins, blockchain, IoT) across Europe.
What the network does
As a Network member, you plug into a European collaboration space that will:
Share insight on emerging skills:
Virtual Worlds Skills Observatory tracking roles, competencies and gaps in key sectors (manufacturing, energy, healthcare, education/creativity, food, public administration).
Regular reports, events and briefings feeding directly curricula and training design.
Enable joint experimentation:
Joint Virtual Worlds Lab as an open innovation hub for pilots, demos and proof-of-concepts.
Hackathons, innovation challenges and workshops around real industrial and societal use cases.
Support recognition of skills:
Micro-credentials Policy and Recognition Service aligned with European standards.
Work towards mutual recognition of short learning programmes and modular certifications across countries and sectors.
Sustain long-term collaboration:
A structured network with defined roles, services and sustainability plan beyond the project end (2029).
Why join? Key benefits
For all members
Direct line into cutting-edge Virtual Worlds education and experimentation across 11+ European countries.
Access to shared digital infrastructures: XR labs, virtual learning environments, AI powered personalised learning platform, shared repository of resources.
Visibility in an EU funded flagship initiative on advanced digital skills.
For universities and training providers
Ready-to-reuse content, formats, and digital environments to enrich existing programmes.
Support on micro-credentials and recognition to make modular offers more attractive and portable.
Stronger European positioning through joint events, publications, and outreach.
For companies and industry partners
Shape future skills: feed real needs into observatory, curricula and training content.
Early access to talent: students and professionals trained on industry-aligned programmes.
Co-develop and test solutions in the Joint Virtual Worlds Lab with academia and tech partners.
For public bodies and policy makers
Evidence on regional and sectoral skills gaps in Virtual Worlds to inform policies and funding priorities.
Concrete collaboration formats with HEIs, companies and hubs to scale digital and green transitions.
How the Network works in practice
Combination of open resources (e.g., MOOCs on the Digital Skills and Jobs Platform) and targeted services for members.
Annual international event plus national events to align activities and launch joint initiatives.
Continuous feedback loops to refine services like the Observatory and Joint Lab.
Join the UPRAISE Network
We are opening the Network to organisations that want to:
Co-shape Virtual Worlds skills in Europe.
Pilot innovative learning and training formats.
Connect their projects, infrastructures, or communities to a European level network.