A Sustainable, Browser-Based Metaverse Event Powered by Hyperspace Metaverse

The immersive S²Cities Global Convening brought together stakeholders from eight countries in a fully immersive virtual 3D virtual event environment, powered by MootUp’s web-based metaverse platform. Built for sustainability and inclusion, the event showed how immersive technology enables connection, knowledge exchange, and community, without the cost of travel. Built on the Hyperspace 3D engine, this web-based experience showcases how immersive virtual events can deliver global collaboration at scale.

As a global initiative committed to improving urban safety and well-being for young people, S²Cities faced a growing challenge: how to convene stakeholders from across eight countries in a way that was sustainable, inclusive, and engaging. With representatives spanning Europe, South America, and Southeast Asia, the foundation sought an alternative to traditional, carbon-intensive in-person events.

“We wanted to bring everyone together in a way that felt like being there, but without the emissions from flying. Our program is rooted in physical space and infrastructure. We needed a solution that matched that feeling virtually,” explained Emily Simpson, an S²Cities representative.

Beyond sustainability, the organization needed to overcome language and technical barriers to ensure meaningful participation for all attendees. This especially included young people and local partners who rarely get the opportunity to present their work on a global stage.

“We wanted people to experience each other’s geographic contexts, something we couldn’t achieve with a typical online platform or even an in-person event,” said Emily.

Solution: Building an Immersive Metaverse Experience with MootUp

To meet its goals of inclusion, accessibility, and sustainability while building its immersive virtual convening, S²Cities partnered with MootUp, the 3D immersive virtual events platform. Powered by the Hyperspace Metaverse, MootUp offered the flexibility, scalability, and interactivity needed to support a multilingual, multi-stakeholder global event.

“MootUp’s ability to function across various devices and incorporate essential features like live translation distinguished it from other platforms,” said Emily Simpson.

Accessible Across Devices
With participants joining via desktops, tablets, mobile phones, and VR headsets, MootUp ensured no one was left out due to technical limitations. Each city received seven VR headsets. Others joined via personal devices, allowing more than 500 participants to attend locally.

Immersive, Branded 3D Environments

S²Cities collaborated with the Hyperspace team to create 14 customized 3D virtual spaces. Their metaerse included: an open-sky auditorium, interactive exhibition hall, breakout lounges, and immersive rooms featuring 360-degree videos of each participating city. Each 3D space was fully branded to reflect the foundation’s identity, giving participants a sense of presence and helping them experience each other’s contexts.

“The 360 videos were a highlight. They really amplified engagement and helped people feel like they were traveling through each other’s worlds,” Emily noted.

Live Interpretation for Inclusive Participation
To overcome language barriers, MootUp integrated AI-powered live translation via Interprefy, enabling seamless multilingual communication. This made it possible for youth, local stakeholders, and international guests to engage equally, which was a critical priority for the S²Cities team.

Expressive Avatars and Built-In Interactivity

Attendees explored the immersive environment as 3D full-body avatars in a fully avatar-driven metaverse, using gestures like handshakes, high-fives, hugs, and even dancing.

Interactive 3D booths, virtual photo stations, and a gamified scavenger hunt added layers of play and social interaction, especially valuable for engaging younger participants.

MootUp’s avatar-based, no-code platform has proven effective across sectors, from youth convenings like S²Cities to professional settings such as Basis Health’s virtual healthcare training. Its flexibility and ease of use continue to redefine how organizations connect and collaborate in immersive digital spaces.

Dedicated Support and Training
MootUp’s support team worked closely with S²Cities throughout the event planning process, offering training for speakers and real-time technical help to ensure a smooth experience from start to finish.

Outcome: A Global Convening that Delivered on Engagement, Equity, and Youth Empowerment

The S²Cities Global Convening brought together 575 participants from six countries across Southeast Asia and South America. This immersive virtual convening fostered deep connection across a broad network of stakeholders uniting diverse stakeholders. This included city officials, NGOs, academics, and private sector leaders – with youth at the center of the experience.

While the program combined in-person, video conferencing, and VR components, the immersive metaverse experience served as the heart of the convening. It not only bridged distances, but created a shared, interactive space for collaboration, visibility, and learning.

Engagement & Inclusion at Scale

Empowering Young Voices
Nearly half of all attendees were young people, many of whom took center stage in discussions, presentations, and exhibitions. The virtual space gave youth a level playing field to be seen, heard, and recognized for their contributions. This commitment to visibility and access shaped an inclusive metaverse experience that empowered participants to lead, engage, and collaborate authentically.

In fact, research shows that avatars increase expression, confidence, and participation, especially among young and underrepresented groups. Learn more about the evidence-based benefits of 3D avatars in virtual events.

“Having heard the presentations of other youth groups in the Philippines, truly, the youth have the power to influence and create social change,” shared one participant from Baguio.

Cross-Cultural Learning and Exchange
Participants called it a platform for sharing new narratives and learning from realities in other parts of the world. VR helped surface not just stories, but shared strategies across regions, including common urban safety concerns and creative local solutions.

“The connectivity that exists with the presentations of different exhibitors from around the world in virtual reality allows us to learn about realities and solutions to existing problems,” reflected a civil society participant from Ambato.

Strong Engagement and Reach
Post-event feedback showed high levels of satisfaction:

• 80% of attendees found the event engaging and meaningful.
• 66% reported that it helped them build new relationships and exchange knowledge.
  Southeast Asia saw the highest turnout, with cities like Bandung and Naga hosting over 100 participants.
  

Impact Through Immersive Innovation

Beyond attendance, the convening showed how immersive platforms can drive sustainability, collaboration, and lasting knowledge exchange.

Sustainability with Substance
By hosting the convening virtually, the event avoided an estimated 900 metric tons of CO₂ emissions, equivalent to hundreds of long-haul flights. This innovative use of a virtual and hybrid event platform exemplified S²Cities’ commitment to low-carbon, high-impact engagement.

A Launchpad for the Future
Crucially, the event also marked the launch of the S²Cities Global Learning Network, connecting over 20 partner organizations and cities in a shared mission to improve urban safety and youth wellbeing.

This convening became the foundation for a long-term global platform for collaboration through the use of spatial computing for immersive engagement.

The success of this immersive virtual convening proved that metaverse technology can drive meaningful engagement, learning, and global collaboration.

Video courtesy of Global Infrastructure Basel (GIB) Foundation.

“Fostering a future of collaboration and understanding is possible by bridging the generations through inclusive governance with local youth at the forefront,” shared a government representative from Baguio.

Future Outlook: Expanding Possibilities, Deepening Impact

Encouraged by the convening’s impact, the S²Cities team will continue using immersive technology to strengthen collaboration, youth engagement, and inclusive governance. The event served not only as a milestone, but as a springboard for deeper, ongoing connection across the Global Learning Network.

Expanding Immersive Capabilities
While the virtual experience delivered strong value, feedback highlighted a need for more informal spaces to connect. GIB is already applying this feedback by planning breakout spaces, icebreakers, and platform improvements for future immersive convenings.

“More VR activities beyond panel discussions, incorporating intra-regional exchanges and dialogues, would encourage even stronger youth participation,” suggested one participant from Naga.

Strengthening the Youth–Government Dialogue
Many attendees noted the powerful impact of seeing young people and city officials exchange perspectives in real-time. Future convenings aim to deepen this engagement, creating structured opportunities for joint planning, mentorship, and policy co-creation between generations.

Building a Living Network
The S²Cities Global Learning Network will support ongoing exchange and youth-led collaboration through connected 3D virtual spaces.

Conclusion: A New Blueprint for Inclusive, Immersive Convening

Partnering with MootUp, S²Cities delivered a dynamic, accessible, low-carbon event that empowered youth, united stakeholders, and sparked cross-cultural exchange in one shared metaverse space.

This case underscores a critical shift: namely, that meaningful convenings no longer require air travel or physical venues to make an impact. With the right platform, virtual events can be immersive, equitable, and deeply human. As spatial computing for events advances, it’s clear these immersive platforms will redefine how global convenings are designed and experienced.

Rethink What a Virtual Convening Can Be

Immersive. Inclusive. Scalable. Sustainable.

MootUp helped S²Cities bring together hundreds of stakeholders across continents, without losing the human connection.

If you’re exploring better ways to convene, train and engage, let’s talk. Learn more at MootUp.com and see how our no-code metaverse platform, powered by Hyperspace, can transform your next immersive experience.