Case Study
Innovation Policy Recommendations to Unleash the Potential of the Metaverse in Europe
A partnership with Meta
By combining elements of immersion, interoperability, and synchronicity, the metaverse is more than headsets and virtual reality. It will allow for new forms of communication, collaboration, and innovation. Hence, the metaverse has the potential to revolutionise more than just entertainment and remote working, but also on EU core interest in manufacturing, industry, and brand retail through the inception of digital twins and different simulative tools. Like other industry 4.0 technologies, the metaverse will be at the centre of EU productivity growth during the next decade and beyond. Meta has asked Trade Policy Hub to provide a white paper outlining Innovation Policy Recommendations to Unleash the Potential of the Metaverse in Europe, in tandem with dynamic European companies.
Meta's requirements
For this project, Meta's Communications and Public Policy team was seeking partners who could provide the following deliverables:
- In-depth technical understanding of the policy landscape
- Media launch of the paper
- Launch event
- Dedicated website with metaverse presentation
Our approach
The project is uniquely placed to garner thoughtful input and make a distinctive case for the importance of building policies that combine a principled approach and an innovation strategy. Consequently, we placed emphasis on stakeholder management and summarising evidence for a policy audience that will gather high-level input from industry leaders and produce a distinctive research paper with grounded policy recommendations, before disseminating findings across a broad professional network.
Our contributions
Through these efforts below, the Trade Policy Hub has provided key insights on the current policy positions of relevant stakeholders, including EU institutions, bodies and agencies, and business and industry.
Research review and audit
We conducted a research review to canvass a range of potential metaverse use-cases and prospective policy innovations, focusing on key pillars of the metaverse ecosystem (talent, research, industry) as well as different sectoral impacts to be considered in education, future of work, public sector, retail, culture, industry, and transport.
Knowledge dissemination – Workshop
Our team convened the participating companies, equipped them with all relevant background documents and data. An initial kick-off workshop completed the briefing process and allowed for broad strategic alignment between players.
Interviews and feedback loop
We conducted bilateral interviews with companies to ‘deep dive’ into use-cases, the details of the existing policy debate, and the exploration of prospective innovations. Interviews followed a flexible topic guide that aligns with project goals and kick-off workshop findings but also allowed interviewees to engage in fruitful diversions.
Drafting and consensus management
We delivered credible data sources and analysis sourced within the EU to strengthen the credible narrative for other Meta-funded projects. Use-cases then informed grounded policy innovations to unleash potential for Meta.
About Meta's Communications and Public Policy Team
Meta's Communications and Public Policy Team focus on opening up to the world. They help people better understand Meta's products and technologies. The team shares Meta’s stories, the ordinary and the extraordinary, with policymakers, journalists and other partners across the globe. Every story shines a light on the products and services they build and the communities they bring together.
