The United Nations International Computing Centre (UNICC) is co-organizing the 1st UN Citiverse Challenge, a global initiative inviting students and startups to develop innovative solutions leveraging digital public infrastructure and the citiverse to address critical global challenges.
This initiative is co-organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), UNICC, ITCILO, WIPO, FAO, UNICEF, the World Bank, UN Tourism, UNECE, Digital Dubai, OASC, the cities of Tampere and Valencia, and leading universities.
We would like to invite your students and researchers to take part in this unique opportunity to shape the Citiverse and develop sustainable, inclusive, and future-ready digital cities!
🌍 What is the UN Citiverse Challenge?
An international competition where participants design cutting-edge solutions focused on:
🔹 Access to Public Services – Digital identity and financial inclusion solutions.
🔹 Sustainability & Resilience – Digital infrastructure to enhance energy access, climate adaptation, and disaster response.
🔹 Tourism & Digital Culture – Digital preservation of cultural heritage and immersive cultural experiences.
🚀 Why Participate?
✅ Showcase your ideas to global leaders in technology, urban planning, and policy-making.
✅ Collaborate with UN agencies and industry experts.
✅ Contribute to the future of digital public infrastructure, aligned with the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact.
✅ Access exclusive mentorship and IP workshops with WIPO.
✅ Win CHF 5,000 in each category!
👥 Who Can Participate?
🔹 Students – Graduate students or recent graduates, participating individually or in teams.
🔹 Startups – Teams with scalable solutions utilizing AI, metaverse, digital twins, gaussian splatting, and open-source tools.
📅 Key Dates:
📌 Registration opens: February 13, 2025
📌 Student submission deadline: March 31, 2025
📌 Startup submission deadline: April 9, 2025
📌 Final & Winners Announcement (Students): June 11-12, 2025 (2nd UN Virtual Worlds Day, Turin, Italy)
📌 Final & Winners Announcement (Startups): October 22-23, 2025 (Valencia Digital Summit, Spain)
🔗 How to Apply?
1️⃣ Register now 👉 https://www.itu.int/metaverse/virtual-worlds/1st-un-citiverse-challenge/
2️⃣ Select «Citiverse: Designing Digital Public Infrastructure of Future Cities» as your challenge.
3️⃣ Submit your idea or prototype.
📩 For more information, feel free to contact us at virtualworlds@itu.int.