Overview
To power this two-way channel, VWA is opening the selection process for Regional Representatives across four major European zones. Selected representatives will act as the operational and strategic anchors for VWA across their respective zones—building cross-border regional communities, driving stakeholder input into key European deliverables such as the Strategic Research and Innovation agenda, and establishing balanced Regional Steering Boards.
Regional Structure
To ensure comprehensive coverage and strong cross-border synergy across the technological landscape, the regional network is structured into four major geographical zones:
- Northern Europe: Covering Nordic and Baltic ecosystems.
- Western Europe: Covering Western European tech hubs and innovation corridors.
- Central & Eastern Europe: Covering Central and Eastern European technological and research networks.
- Southern Europe: Covering Mediterranean and Southern European innovation clusters.
Each designated Regional Representative will be responsible for orchestrating community engagement, involve it with the VWA actions, representing the Association on local event , and ecosystem mapping across all member states and territories within their designated European zone.
Key Deliverables & Action Items
1. Call for Applications (Phase 1)
- Action: Open application window for candidates seeking to represent one of the four European zones.
- Eligible Candidates: Open to both qualified individual experts and designated lead organizations (e.g., regional technology clusters, research institutions, innovation alliances)
with a proven cross-border or zone-wide reach. - Required Application Package:
- Application Dossier with resume, a Motivation letter demonstrating regional ecosystem reach, domain expertise, and operational/logistical capability
- A proposal of action for the operations of 2027 (max 2 pages)
2. Zone Representative Mandate & Scope
Selected Regional Representatives will serve a renewable 1-year mandate with concrete operational objectives:
- Local Community Gathering & Organization: Map and activate local ecosystem stakeholders, maintaining a dynamic national directory and organizing regular local community meetups (minimum 2–4 per year).
- Contribution to European Deliverables: Collect, synthesize, and submit national experts' feedback into strategic European documents, including Strategic Research and Innovation Agendas (SRIA), technical Working Group position papers and Workshops.
- Horizon Europe & EU Action Alignment: Co-organize local brokerage events and matchmaking sessions to boost national participation in Horizon Europe call proposals, consortium building, and initiative-led workshops.
- Representation at Regional Events: Present the vision, roadmaps, and opportunities of the VWA at major national tech conferences, innovation summits, and policy roundtables.
- Membership Growth & Community Expansion: Actively recruit new institutional and organizational members for the European Initiative from local ecosystems.
- Establishment of Regional Steering Boards: Form and chair a balanced, quarterly-meeting Regional Steering Board spanning Academia, Research Centers, Large Enterprises, and SMEs/Startups across the zone.
3. Representative Enablement & Support Package
VWA provides chosen zone representatives with an integrated support package:
- Financial Package: Financial support package of 5.000€ per year. An annual allocation intended to co-fund local community gatherings (room rentals, catering, etc.), event participation, administrative and travel expenses.
- Marketing & Communications Toolkit: Access to ready-to-use branded decks, digital event templates, regional banners, and official representative badges.
- Priority Access: Special access to annual VWP summits, reserved speaking opportunities, and direct policy dialogue channels with the Association’s scientific committee.
- European Partnership Visibility: Dedicated regional spotlights across central VWA newsletters, social channels, website profiles, and success stories.
Next Steps for Applicants
- Review the detailed eligibility guidelines and selection criteria for your target European zone.
- Prepare your Application Dossier and Motivation Letter detailing your zonal reach and operational capabilities.
- Submit your application by email to community@virtualworldsassociation.eu before the specified deadline.
