What role can virtual and augmented reality play in shaping how we work across EU institutions? That question was at the heart of VR Days 2025, an event organised by DIGIT’s Digital Innovation Lab (iLab). Held on two separate days in Brussels and Luxembourg, the event brought together colleagues from over 20 DGs, Executive Agencies, and other EU institutions to explore how immersive technologies can support collaboration, planning, training and communication. 

Through presentations, workshops and hands-on demos, participants discovered practical use cases and tested immersive tools themselves. 

The day kicked off with a welcome by Natalia Aristimuño Pérez, Acting Director for Digital Enablers and Innovation at DG DIGIT, who underlined the value of innovative thinking and shared learning across departments. 

DG CNECT then presented the EU’s Strategy on Web 4.0 and Virtual Worlds, which outlines a vision for open, inclusive and safe virtual spaces that reflect European values and empower both citizens and businesses. Tools like the Virtual Worlds Toolbox and EU-funded projects are already bringing this vision to life. 

The session continued with CORTEX2, an EU-funded XR platform developed by the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI). Designed for cross-border collaboration and real-time teamwork, it sparked interest in how such tools could support daily work in the Commission. 

DG SCIC introduced its Virtual Conference Platform, a fully immersive environment for hybrid events. In a virtual building shaped like the Berlaymont, participants can navigate with avatars through networking spaces and interactive booths.

In the afternoon, participants explored two hands-on workshops. The European Investment Bank (EIB) demonstrated their VR Workplace Design Tool, which lets users simulate office layouts for smarter space planning. The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) demonstrated RISARX, an AR training tool for identifying radiation sources safely, combining digital overlays with physical objects. 

The day closed with an informal walk-in session, giving colleagues time to test the tools, exchange with developers directly, and reflect on how immersive solutions could support their own work. 

VR Days 2025 created space for exchange, curiosity and inspiration around the future of work. From spontaneous walk-in conversations to hands-on testing and follow-up discussions, the event reflected growing interest in immersive technologies across the Commission.