Apply Now! The 1st UN Citiverse Challenge: Shaping the Future of Digital Public Infrastructure

The 1st UN Citiverse Challenge is an modern world initiative aimed toward reimagining cities by way of digital transformation. Co-organized by main UN companies, educational establishments, and good metropolis organizations, this problem invites college students and startups to develop groundbreaking options that leverage digital public infrastructure and rising applied sciences.

A Call to Innovators

As cities proceed to evolve, digital transformation performs an important function in creating inclusive, sustainable, and resilient city environments. The UN Citiverse Challenge gives a platform for visionaries to deal with world challenges by harnessing applied sciences reminiscent of AI, the metaverse, digital twins, and open-source options. By collaborating, people and groups have the alternative to drive worldwide requirements, collaborate with key stakeholders, and contribute to the rules of the Global Digital Compact (GDC) and the Pact for the Future.

Focus Areas

The problem is centered round three important themes:

1. Access to Public Services
   Over 850 million individuals lack official identification, and 1.4 billion stay unbanked, limiting their entry to important providers. By rethinking digital id and monetary programs, the citiverse can allow inclusive, interoperable options, aligning with SDG 1: No Poverty.
2. Sustainability and Resilience
   Nearly half the world lacks dependable energy, whereas climate-related disasters proceed to affect communities. Digital public infrastructure in the citiverse can improve vitality entry, optimize useful resource distribution, and enhance catastrophe preparedness, supporting SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities and SDG 13: Climate Action.
3. Tourism and Digital Culture
   Cultural heritage faces challenges reminiscent of misrepresentation and restricted accessibility. The citiverse provides new methods to protect and share cultural belongings, fostering inclusive digital experiences. This theme helps SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Benefits of Participation

Participants stand to realize world recognition, collaboration alternatives, and the probability to form the future of digital public infrastructure. Additional advantages embody:

• Intellectual Property (IP) Workshop and Mentoring – Selected startups will have interaction in a digital one-day IP workshop and mentoring classes hosted by WIPO.
• Access to the UN Tourism Innovation Network – Winners might be invited to affix the UN Tourism Global Innovation Network.
• Influence on International Standards – Contributions could assist form technical suggestions underneath ITU-T Study Group 20 on IoT, digital twins, and good sustainable cities.

Who Can Participate?

The problem is open to 2 classes:

• Students – Graduate college students and up to date graduates can suggest modern concepts or prototypes addressing real-world citiverse challenges.
• Startups – Early-stage corporations are invited to submit scalable options leveraging superior applied sciences.

Participation is free, making this an inclusive alternative for changemakers worldwide.

Timeline

Key dates for the problem embody:

• Registration Opens: February 13, 2025 (World Governments Summit)
• Proposal Deadlines: March 31, 2025 (Students), April 9, 2025 (Startups)
• Final Submissions: April 25, 2025 (Students), May 23, 2025 (Startups)
• Winner Announcement and Award Ceremony: June 11-12, 2025 (Students) in Turin, Italy, and October 22-23, 2025 (Startups) in Valencia, Spain.

Evaluation Criteria

Projects might be assessed primarily based on the following standards:

1. Innovation – Creativity and originality in designing options.
2. Relevance to SDGs – Alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
3. Scalability and Sustainability – Feasibility of increasing and sustaining the resolution.
4. Impact – Potential to create significant change in communities.
5. Implementation Feasibility – Technical execution and real-world applicability.

How to Register

Participants can register by following these steps:

1. Create an account and log in.
2. Select “Citiverse: Designing Digital Public Infrastructure of Future Cities.”
3. Create a crew underneath this drawback assertion.
4. Await admin approval for crew registration.
5. Team members can then be part of and contribute to the mission.

Possible Outputs

For college students, potential submissions embody analysis papers, prototypes, cultural expertise designs, and group engagement initiatives. Startups are anticipated to ship scalable options and practical prototypes utilizing rising applied sciences.

Join the Movement

The 1st UN Citiverse Challenge is a singular alternative to form the future of digital public infrastructure. By collaborating, innovators will assist construct cities which might be extra related, resilient, and inclusive.

For extra particulars, contact virtualworlds@itu.int.

Let’s form the citiverse—a future the place expertise bridges divides and empowers all.

Related