The European Commission has launched the European Partnership for Virtual Worlds, a strategic co-programmed partnership under Horizon Europe aimed at strengthening Europe’s leadership in virtual worlds, Web 4.0 and Extended Reality (XR) technologies. The initiative brings together the Commission and the Virtual Worlds Association, representing industry, research organisations and academia, to jointly advance open, interoperable and human-centric virtual environments aligned with European values. The partnership foresees up to €200 million of EU funding, matched by private investments, between 2025 and 2030.
The Horizon Europe Cluster 4 “Digital, Industry and Space” Work Programme 2026–2027 translates this policy ambition into concrete funding opportunities under the destination “Digital and industrial technologies driving human-centric innovation”. A dedicated section on ‘Virtual Worlds – Web 4.0 (Partnership)’ defines the first calls prepared in cooperation between the European Commission and the European Partnership for Virtual Worlds.”
Key topics include:
• HORIZON-CL4-2026-04-HUMAN-01 – Developing and demonstrating core technologies for Virtual Worlds and Web 4.0 (IA): supports large-scale pilots and the validation of immersive technologies.
• HORIZON-CL4-2026-04-HUMAN-02 – Web 4.0 architectural frameworks and Open Internet Stack applications for virtual worlds (RIA): focuses on interoperability, decentralisation, and open digital infrastructures.
• HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-HUMAN-01 – Advanced and innovative hardware components for Virtual Worlds (RIA): addresses next-generation XR devices and key enabling technologies.
• HORIZON-CL4-2027-04-HUMAN-02 – Creating a thriving and competitive Virtual Worlds and Web 4.0 ecosystem (CSA): supports coordination activities, community-building and ecosystem development across Europe.
Together, these calls aim to strengthen Europe’s technological base, foster industrial uptake, and ensure that future virtual worlds are trustworthy, inclusive and aligned with European standards.
The Virtual Worlds Partnership builds on a strong foundation of XR-related projects already funded under Horizon Europe Cluster 4. Examples include XR4Human, which addresses ethical, governance and interoperability frameworks for XR; HEAT, which develops hybrid extended-reality environments for social and cultural interaction; and SUN, which advances human-centred XR solutions integrating physical and virtual worlds; SHARESPACE, which enables people in remote locations to interact in a shared sensorimotor space to prepare future inclusive hybrid societies. These projects demonstrate how EU funding is already supporting XR innovation across technology, ethics and real-world applications.
With the launch of the European Partnership for Virtual Worlds and the dedicated calls in the 2026–2027 Work Programme, the EU moves decisively from strategy to implementation. The combination of coordinated public-private investment and targeted Horizon Europe calls positions Europe to play a leading role in shaping the next generation of virtual worlds and Web 4.0 on a global scale.
More information on the launched European Partnership for Virtual Worlds
More about the European Partnership for Virtual Worlds
Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda of the Partnership
Membership request