\
&
Contact us
\
&
Contact us
Published on | 10 months ago
ProgrammesThe European Commission outlined their vision at the Global Multistakeholder High Level Conference on Governance of Web 4.0 and Virtual Worlds event, emphasizing the need for open standards and global interoperability as augmented reality and digital twin technologies reshape our relationship with the physical world.
The emerging Web 4.0 environment - characterized by the convergence of 6G networks, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence - promises to fundamentally alter how humans interact with their surroundings. This evolution enables more natural interactions with digital objects embedded in physical spaces and creates opportunities for innovative services, like today predictive maintenance systems are already commonplace and digital twins become more popular and effective.
"As the boundaries between digital and physical worlds continue to blur, we must ensure the internet remains a public good accessible to everyone," an EC representative stated. Officials warned that without proper governance frameworks, Web 4.0 could fragment into isolated technological ecosystems controlled by dominant market players.
The Commission's approach aligns with Japan's pioneering work in metaverse governance. Both emphasize maintaining a single, globally interoperable internet that respects fundamental rights while allowing for regional contributions and innovation.
The EC initiative marks the beginning of a global conversation on Web 4.0 governance that aims to embrace technological innovation while addressing potential risks.
Further details can be found in the Commission's background materials available at the Digital Strategy portal. More specifially, check
- One Future Internet, introductory document
- the other background info from the event.
We offer news and event updates, covering all domains and topics of Horizon Europe, Digital Europe & EDF (and occasionally, for ongoing projects, Horizon 2020).
Stay informed about what matters to you.
By signing up, you can opt in for e-mail notifications and get access to
a personalised dashboard that groups all news updates and event announcements in your domain(s).
Only for stakeholders located in Flanders
Security Digital, Industry & Space Cybersecurity
On 28 January 2026, the SECURE project has launched a first round of financial support measures to help small businesses achieve compliance with new cybersecurity requirements for their hardware and software products. This will allow micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to request co-funding to strengthen the cybersecurity of their hardware... read more
Climate, Energy, Mobility Horizon Europe HorizonEU L+F
The well-known Excel template used to prepare and submit the detailed budget in lump sum proposals will be successively replaced in the course of 2026 by an online detailed budget table, integrated directly in the Part A application forms. The new format is currently used in 9 topics in Cluster 5 (see list below). When preparing the project proposa... read more
The Project SeafoodTomorrow is a project that is approved within the call BG-08-2017: Innovative sustainable solutions for improving the safety and dietary properties of seafood.
The three-year SeafoodTomorrow project brings together 34 partners. From Flanders, ILVO takes part in the project.They are responsible for setting up two databases which are the central point of the project to gather all the project data from analysis and assessement. ILVO is also leader of the workpackage dealing with authenticity, traceability and labelling. ILVO is also involved a the workpackage about novel food preparation. And in the managerial part, ILVO is head of the IPC- Intellectual Property Comité.
